By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, has congratulated an alumnus of the institution, Dr. Ifedayo Adefila, who is appointed the new Director-General, DG, of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
Adetifa is a 1997 medical graduate of the university, who will lead the federal agency that has been at the centre of Nigeria’s response to the Coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.
A statement by the the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, at the weekend quoted the Vice-Chancellor as saying, “Unilorin is highly honoured with the appointment of Dr. Adetifa,” describing the new DG as “a truly distinguished alumnus of the university.”
Prof. Abdulkareem said that judging by Adefila’s rich antecedents as a consummate infectious diseases epidemiologist, he is well suited for the job, adding, “He is indeed a round peg in a round hole.”
The new NCDC DG, who takes over from Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, graduated from the College of Health Sciences, of the University of Ilorin in 1997, having earlier graduated from the University of Ilorin Secondary School in 1988.
The Vice Chancellor urged the new DG to go into his new appointment with the legendary dedication and commitment which he has been known for over the years, saying, “As a thorough-bred product of the great Unilorin Medical School, the new NCDC boss will work assiduously, in the best Unilorite tradition, to justify the national confidence reposed in him.”
Prof. Abdulkareem added, “I am sure that Dr. Adetifa would definitely consolidate the gains recorded by his predecessor, and even surpass the gains recorded so far in the fight against COVID-19”.
