London, May 20, 2020 (AltAfrica)-The Ministry of Science and Technology has commenced verification of the potency of locally made herbs touted as potential cure for COVID-19 virus in the country

The Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu made this known at the quarterly management meeting of the Ministry and its Agencies in Abuja, Nigeria;s capital territory

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Dr Onu said that all locally made herbs submitted to the ministry for the COVID-19 cure have been directed to the Academy of Science for verification as well as recommendation to the Ministry.

”We are working hard to develop home-grown solutions to help manage the pandemic…Encouraging results have been submitted and in no distant time, details on the submissions would be made known to the nation,” the minister said

According to him, for Nigeria to increase its foreign earnings, the country must look inwards for solutions to its problems and export same to other countries.

Earlier in the year Nigeria offered the sum of N36m to Scientists and Innovators who could assist in finding the cure for the COVID-19 pandemic and Lassa fever.

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi said the Ministry was working to secure huge grants, to support Research and Development efforts in the sector.

He called on the Directors and Director Generals of the Ministry to show more commitment in their work, to realise their mandates.

Also the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Umar admonished the Agencies under the Ministry to highlight priority areas for preparation and execution of their budget.