President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said the country witnessed an incredible level of innovation and creativity amidst the legacy of pain and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Naija News reports that Buhari stated this in New York while delivering a speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77).
Buhari noted that those who devised treatment, vaccines as well as international partnerships and cooperation helped the country.
He said: “Mr. President, This is the first meeting we are having here in New York without the restrictions that characterised the last three years. The COVID-19 pandemic ripped across National borders like a toxic whirlwind, leaving in its wake a legacy of pain and loss.
“Happily, we also witnessed an incredible level of innovation and creativity from those who devised treatments and vaccines. These laudable achievements were underpinned by partnerships and international cooperation.
“We have also seen the bravery, care and endurance of health professionals at every corner of the globe.”
Outstanding Cooperation
Buhari also expressed delight at how the country’s health agencies were able to effectively collaborate with local management, international partnership and private groups.
The president noted that the cooperation among stakeholders was outstanding, adding that states also tried to meet the challenge of the threat that could not be contained within national borders.
He said: “I am happy to note that in Nigeria, our healthcare agencies were able to form effective local management and engaged international partnerships with multinational initiatives like COVAX and private groups like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“These efforts helped mitigate the impact of the pandemic and we were mercifully spared the images of overwhelmed hospitals, overworked healthcare personnel and high mortality which sadly we saw elsewhere.
“With COVID19, we saw very clearly how states tried to meet the challenge of a threat that could not be contained within national borders.
“The results were mixed; but at its best, cooperation among stakeholders was outstanding. It facilitated solutions that saved countless lives and eased the huge burden of human suffering.
“That same theme of unilateralism and the promotion of national interest competing with the common cause in the face of an existential threat has been our recurring experience in recent times.”
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