According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, active participation in research has earned higher education institutions worldwide recognition.
In a statement issued on Monday, Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the vice president received a delegation from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Association at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Dr. John Momoh, the association’s National President, led the delegation.
The vice president advocated for increased research funding, particularly at UNILAG.
“We should concentrate on how to endow research because, in the end, research is what puts us on the map of intellectual achievement and attainment around the world.”
“Universities such as UNILAG should be at the forefront of scholarship and intellectual achievement.”
“This is probably a lot cheaper than some of the major things we do in terms of ‘brick and mortar.'”
He stated that medical research would play a critical role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Osinbajo cited the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) for identifying the first case of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“When it comes to medical research, especially in light of the public health challenges we’ve had, COVID-19, and so many other things going on, we need to be able to put some resources behind research, especially scientific research where we can see the benefits right away.”
“Few people are aware that Redeemers University in Ede houses an African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases” (ACEGID).
“As soon as the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, a blood sample was sent to the Ede center, and within 48 hours, they were able to share with the international community the first genome sequence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from Africa.”
“By any standard, that was a major accomplishment; the World Bank and World Health Organization are contributing to that center because they recognize its importance as a major medical research center.”
“We truly owe it to our own time and generation to make some real progress that will redefine the university,” he said.
Momoh, who is also the Chairman of Channels TV, expressed gratitude to the vice president for his ongoing support.
He detailed the association’s plan to build an iconic 500-bed space hostel to address UNILAG’s housing deficit, as well as the launch of a webinar titled UnilagAlumniLive TV, which will begin in January 2022.
The webinar will feature distinguished alumni from government and industry who will speak on various topics of national importance.