By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
A modern molecular diagnostic and research laboratory, sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, at the University of Ilorin has been commissioned.
The Director if Corporate Affairs of the University of Ilorin, Alhaji Kunle Akogun, Director, in a statement said that the institution has once again raised the bar in public health provision in the country.
Alhaji Akogun insisted that the laboratory, which was commissioned by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleman Elias Bogoro, had already obtained the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC’s certification as a Public Health Laboratory for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
The ultra-modern molecular diagnostic and research laboratory would also mount surveillance of other infectious diseases like: poliomyelitis, Lassa Fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Flagging off the facility, TETFund boss, Prof. Bogoro, said that the University of Ilorin had produced the most successful TETFund-sponsored researches in the country for several years, describing the institution’s College of Health Sciences as one of the best rated health training institutions in the country.
Prof Bogoro added that the College of Health Sciences had some of the best medical personnel that consistently produced problem-solving researches.
The TETFund boss also pointed out that the quality of personnel, research infrastructures and relevance of research outcome to the society were the parameters that determined the strength of a university, which he said the University of Ilorin ranked number one when those parameters were considered.
Prof. Bogoro further disclosed that TETFund was working to curb brain drains by providing infrastructure and research facilities to discourage Nigerians from going abroad where those facilities were available.
Stressing that TETFund was putting research into perspective to ensure that research contributes to national development, Prof Bogoro advised tertiary institutions to seek complementary funding as TETFund is only an intervention.
The TETFund Executive Secretary pledged the agency’s continued support to the university to make the molecular centre a place of excellence, where service and research could thrive.
