Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu graced the 9th Annual One Health and Biosecurity Conference, hosted by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in partnership with Global Emerging Treatment (GET) Consortium at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his address, the Governor who was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat underscored the significance of proactive biosecurity measures and the evolving landscape of biotechnologies in Africa.
Acknowledging the esteemed scholars and eminent personalities present, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the conference's pivotal role in addressing emerging health emergencies with precision and readiness. Expressing joy at being present this year, he commended Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, and Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, Chief Operating Officer of GET Consortium, for their consistent efforts in organizing the vital annual discource.
He noted that the theme of the year's conference, "Maximizing Benefits and Understanding Risks of Synthetic Biology and other Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa," resonates deeply with Lagos State's realities, stressing that, despite being the smallest by landmass, Lagos houses over 20 million people and a significant economic hubs, making it susceptible to biosecurity shocks.
In his words: "The theme of this Conference, “Maximizing Benefits and Understanding Risks of Synthetic Biology and other Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa”, is very apt. This is in view of our current realities, with new and unforeseen health emergencies that require urgent and precise responses that speak to a proactive readiness of a government committed to the welfare of its people".
Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his commitment to ensuring residents' safety, emphasizing the state's proactive health security initiatives under the THEMES + AGENDA framework.
"As the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State, my responsibility is to always safeguard residents of the State from security threats, be it physical or biosecurity. In the last four and half years, our commitment to strengthening and improving health security has been resolute through our proactive, comprehensive and inclusive programs encapsulated in our THEMES + AGENDA. This agenda promotes the improvement of our Environment and Health". He stated.
Sanwo-Olu outlined his administration’s key biosecurity programs gearedtowardsresidents safety as including investment in genomic sequencing, the establishment of an Infectious Disease Research Institute, the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform Project, and the promotion of the One Health Initiative.
Moreover, the Governor highlighted Science and Technology Initiative, particularly the "Lagos State Medical, Industrial and Innovation Zone" (LASMIIZO Project), aimed at bolstering healthcare technology and innovation within the state as one of the main driver of Lagos State Biosecurity agenda.
"This conference is another unique opportunity for us to build on ongoing efforts to ensure the overall health of our people, our environment and the overall health ecosystem", he added.
Encouraging experts to contribute their expertise towards a healthier Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in the conference's outcomes. He assured continued support for healthcare policies and programs, emphasizing that a healthy state is a wealthy state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu while declaring the 9th Annual One Health and Biosecurity Conference open, posited that the conference stands as a pivotal platform to address biosecurity concerns associated with synthetic biology at national and regional levels, fostering awareness and reinforcing regulatory frameworks.
He expressed optimism that discussions at the event would pave the way for a healthier and safer environment in Lagos and beyond.
"Let me also use this opportunity to assure you all of my administration’s continued support, especially in the policies and programmes that we design for the healthcare sector. A healthy State is a wealthy State, and this mantra is one that will continue to guide our plans and actions", he said.
Earlier in his presentation on the theme: "Maximizing Benefits and Understanding Risks of Synthetic Biology and Other Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa", the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi highlighted Lagos State biosecurity measures showcasing the State Government's commitment to cutting-edge biosecurity and healthcare advancements.
Addressing the economic aspects in genomic diversity, the Commissioner emphasized the integration of this knowledge within the bio bank infrastructure.
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"This understanding of population sensitivities and disease predictions forms a crucial foundation for policy initiatives, enabling informed decision-making", he said.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of such insights in assessing environmental impacts on public health, identifying population disease susceptibilities, and recognizing disease resistances.
Demonstrating Lagos State's proactive approach, Abayomi showcased ongoing training initiatives for bio bank staff in gene sequencing and molecular biology adding that the expertise facilitated the understanding of various COVID-19 variants and enabled the state to strategize effectively against their impact on the population.
Recognizing the limitations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commissioner announced plans for the development of the Infectious Disease Research Institute, designed to house advanced BSL4 facilities, adding that the complex when completed would be the first BSL4 in Sub-Saharan Africa, integrating research capabilities for pathogen monitoring, ans ensuring Lagos remains at the forefront of disease surveillance and response.
Furthermore, the Commissioner highlighted the state's focus on environmentally sustainable healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing low carbon footprint designs for futuristic health buildings.
Abayomi reiterated the government's commitment to protecting biological sovereignty and staying at the forefront of healthcare innovations. Notably, plans for the Lagos State Medical, Industrial, and Innovation Zone (LASMIZO) were unveiled, showcasing a strategic initiative aimed at driving innovation and addressing industrial shortcomings revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, the Commissioner stressed the ongoing efforts to establish policies and legislation around biobanking and biosecurity, outlining the state's proactive measures to enhance biosecurity agencies and bolster its pandemic preparedness through innovative strategies and bioinformatics.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of GET Consortium, Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye emphasized biosecurity concerns, stressing the urgency of addressing escalating biosecurity threats across Africa.
He noted that the GET Consortium, a leading biosecurity organization in Africa, is committed to bolstering governmental and non-governmental capacities to combat emerging infectious diseases and biosecurity risks.
Highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of biosecurity threats in recent years, Dr. Bobadoye pointed out the surge in diseases like Lassa fever, COVID-19, dengue fever, monkeypox, Ebola, among others, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent and manage such outbreaks.
"The focus of this year's conference was centered on harnessing the potential benefits of biotechnologies, particularly synthetic biology and gene editing, while mitigating associated risks", he said.
Dr. Bobadoye underscored the pivotal role of biotechnologies in revolutionizing various sectors, citing their applications in enhancing vaccine production, drug development (such as insulin and malaria treatment), and improving agricultural yields.
However, Dr. Bobadoye also highlighted the challenges inherent in synthetic biology, cautioning about the ethical considerations and potential misuse of re-engineering genetic materials.
He added that a key aspect of the conference involved engaging Lagos students in discussions about synthetic biology and emerging biotechnologies.
Dr. Bobadoye emphasized the importance of fostering understanding among stakeholders regarding the benefits and challenges of these technologies. He emphasized the need for early planning, strategies, and guidelines to regulate their development and usage in Nigeria.
Acknowledging Lagos State's proactive stance in biosecurity preparedness, Dr. Bobadoye commended the state's continuous efforts in raising awareness, capacity building, and readiness to address biosecurity threats. Lagos remains at the forefront, showcasing a commitment to safeguarding against potential risks posed by emerging diseases and biotechnologies.
