Osinbajo seeks fairness in global distribution of COVID vaccine

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the principle of fairness should be adhered to by leaders in addressing the global distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had expressed concern over the distribution of the vaccine across countries, noting that less than two percent of doses delivered globally have reached Africa.

Speaking on Wednesday at a virtual forum organised by Liberty University, a US-based Christian institution, Osinbajo said people of faith must contribute their quota towards achieving a world that does not impose unfair burdens on developing countries.

According to Laolu Akande, spokesman to the vice-president, the forum had the theme “Equity for Africa: Transforming the World through Judeo-Christian Values”, and was hosted by the Liberty University’s school of business.

The vice-president warned that current trends in global distribution may lead to vaccine nationalism, which may have an unfavourable impact on the fight against the coronavirus.

“The principle of fairness obliges us, as people of faith, to strive to build a fairer world, a world which takes account of the interests of the poor and marginalised,” he said.

“It means a world that does not impose unfair burdens on developing countries when global cooperation is required.

“For example, if you look at what is happening with COVID-19 and access to vaccines, what we are seeing is export bans and a resort to vaccine nationalism.

“Christian leaders must lead the world towards ensuring that all countries and their peoples can access vaccines, irrespective of the resources available to them. The same considerations apply to helping African countries cope with the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.”

Participants at the forum included Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue; Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo; David Brat, dean of the Liberty University school of business, and business leaders from across the US.