The Director, African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Prof. Christian Happi has stressed the need for Africa to drive the world in terms of research and development. This, he noted, the continent has failed to do despite its abundant natural and human resources.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference which commenced on Monday, October 30, 2023 at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Research Agenda and Optimizing Output within the Context of SDG3”, the Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, discussed the factors militating against high quality impactful research and innovation (R&I) in African universities. He pointed out that the major challenges affecting high impact R&I in Africa is the structure and functions of African universities and academics/researchers as well as not tapping “blessings” for high quality impactful research and innovations by African institutions. These blessings include natural resources, wars, famine, poverty, natural disasters, diseases, etcetera. According to him, with the number of natural disasters and diseases the continent experiences, Africa ought to learn from all of these and seize the opportunity to teach other continents how to manage these crises.
He highlighted other factors to include: lack of expertise and slow pace of adaptation to market demands; scarce brain mobility/brain circulation; poor enabling environment and misplaced priority in higher education investments by governments and the private sector.
Prof. Happi also discussed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); their five (5) pillars (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships); the current status of research and innovations in African universities and the implications in research outputs; ways of strengthening optimization research agenda and capacity for output optimisation and impact; and best practices: establishment of hubs of research excellence (case study ACEGIO Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria)
The Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Oluyemi Akinloye, in his welcome address, noted that the theme resonated with the vision of the current university management which is “building a university of the future”. He appreciated the faculty conference organising committee for the wonderful job done towards making the conference a success and encouraged participants to explore the output the faculty and students had to offer at the conference.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, described the event as a “family meeting”, and reminisced on his relationship with his two “daughters” – Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS (Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG) and Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, nmi {Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU)} and their excellent performance over the years. He commended the event’s organising committee for the choice of theme as it supports the growing awareness of the importance of education, entrepreneurship and research collaboration for national growth and development.
Awards of Excellence were presented to the following personalities:
- Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni (Vice-Chancellor, LASU) – FBMS-CMUL Ambassador Award in recognition of her trailblazing achievements in academia and university administration in Nigeria
- Prof. Chikodi N. Anigbogu in recognition of his immense contributions to the advancement of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences over the years
- Prof. Smith I. Jaja in recognition of his immense contributions to the advancement of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences over the years
- Prof. Christian Happi of the excellent delivery as keynote speaker and his high impact role in the diagnosis and control of infectious diseases in Nigeria
- Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, OON, NNOM – FBMS-CMUL Ambassador Award in recognition of his trailblazing achievements in academia and university administration in Nigeria
- Inqaba Biotec West Africa Ltd. in recognition of its consistent support to the advancement of biomedical research and output dissemination.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU and Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, appreciated Prof. Odugbemi for his kind words and mentorship over the years. She expressed delight at the retiring academics who had contributed immensely to the Faculty. While reminiscing on her time at the Faculty, she appreciated the organisers of the conference, and Faculty for moulding her into what she is today. She also appreciated the Faculty for the FBMS-CMUL Ambassador Award presented to her. calling the event “a homecoming”.
The two-day conference featured several abstracts and poster presentations as well as four (4) plenary and scientific sessions on the sub-themes of the conference which included Enhancing Basic Clinical Collaborative Research Engagement for Health and Wellbeing; Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases; Strengthening Capacity for Research Conceptualisation, Conduct and Policy Implementation; Exploration of Natural Products for Health & Wellbeing and Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Health Research.
