Anthony Blinken’s Visit to NIMR, A Push for More Research, Says Salako

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, has described the visit of the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to the institute, as a push for more research.

The Secretary of State is on a four-nation tour of Africa taking him to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola from January 21 to 26.

Speaking in Abuja, Salako is confident that Blinken’s visit shows that the NIMR research efforts over the years have been recognised.

“It gladdens my heart that our efforts over the past years’ research and national development have finally been recognised by a world power.

“What more references of excellent performance do we need?,” he argued.

According to the DG, his visit is an encouragement to continue to push forward on research and national development.

He also thanked the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the Federal Government and the U.S. Government for funding research work in the institute over the years.

“We thank our past and present principals at the FMOH, the Federal Government and the government of the United States that have provided funding for our activities over the past years,” he added.