Capacity building has been identified as a crucial element to ensure that maternal issues get adequate research attention. Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, Professor Friday E. Okonofua, FAS advocated this while delivering the 4th Abimbola Aina Omololu-Molele Annual Lecture in Obstetrics and Gynaecology on Wednesday, November 3, 2022 at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba.
The lecture ‘Fostering Research and Innovation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Women’s Health’ was organised by the Office of the Advancement and Board of Trustees of Abimbola Aina Omololu-Molele Annual lecture in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, UNILAG.
Professor Okonofua also recommended a curricula overhaul in the tertiary education level to strengthen and increase research in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as part of efforts to boost maternal health.
The renowned Professor of Health emphasized the need for universities to devote more resources to research into maternal healthcare. He decried the dearth of Nigerian research outputs in reputable international journals but commended efforts of stakeholders towards ensuring the availability and accessibility of funds for researchers to promote solution-based researches.
Earlier, while delivering the welcome remarks, Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, reaffirmed the resolute belief of the University in research as an assertive instrument of academia. She described the lecture as one which underscores the importance and indispensability of solution-driven research in the quest for national development.
In his address, Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. David Oke expressed delight over the annual lecture being a collaborative effort of the Office of Advancement and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. He said the development will serve as pivotal platform for medical advancement in Nigeria.
The Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Professor Adetokunbo Oluegun Fabanwo who served as Chairman of the Lecture, expressed appreciation to the University of Lagos for supporting the legacy of the donor. He also thanked the incoming Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Endowment in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for ensuring that the endowment remains a success story.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Bolaji Akerele, who spoke on behalf of Da Rocha and Mulele families of Lagos, described the Late Dame Fredrica Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele as a generous person.
The first female grant award winner who benefitted from the 2019 Endowment for Research, Dr. Babah Ochuwa expressed her profound gratitude for the privilege of the research grant. She stated that her publication was cited in several international journals and that the discoveries as a result of the research will serve as a foundation for further research endeavours.
The Late Dame Frederica Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele initially launched four (4) endowments as professorial chairs which subsequently became annual lectures in the University of Lagos, the Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife and Osun State University.
