The Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy nuclear technology to eradicate malaria in Nigeria.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya disclosed this on Tuesday when the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mr. Jon Tong Choi paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.
Towards this end, Dr. Onu stressed that collaboration between Nigeria and North Korea in nuclear technology will sterilize the reproductive ability of anopheles mosquitoes which is the vector carrier of the disease.
According to the Minister, nuclear technology will be deployed to control the birth of anopheles mosquitoes, adding that malaria is the number one cause of death among Africans.
Malaria, he explained, has caused the death of more people than HIV and Ebola.
Dr. Onu also opined that malaria has a debilitating effect on the economy by reducing productivity of the workforce.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Choi said North Korea will be partnering with Nigeria in developing science and technology through exchange of researchers from research institutes of both countries.
Mr. Choi noted that science and technology is an important asset of any country adding that science and technology is the foundation of economic development.
It will be recalled that at the recently concluded 3rd meeting of ECOWAS ministers in-charge of Science, Technology and Innovation held in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Dr. Onu had emphasized the application of Science, Technology and Innovation to address the malaria scourge.
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