The Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at Redeemer’s University, Prof. Olumide David Olukanni has called on the Federal Government to make provision for an annual innovation grant for research development and knowledge transfer in Nigeria as this will help the nation to develop faster. It is only a country that invest in research that can develop.
He made this assertion when he delivered the 14th Inaugural Lecture Series tagged “Wonders Shall Never End: The Biotechnological Wonders of the Maker, the Man and Microbes” which was recently held at the Redeemer’s University Auditorium, Ede, Osun State.
The academic Don and lover of microbes highlighted that microbes in their efforts to clean the contaminated environment can break down and detoxify pollutants. He further stated that they have contributed immensely to the development of the human immune system as well as developments of vaccines and treatment. He said, “To harness the wealth of microbial diversity and the wonderful endowment in diversity, Nigeria needs to see biotechnology as a field of endeavour that can be used to solve many problems and come out of poverty. In a bid to alleviate poverty through harnessing microbial biodiversity in Nigeria, the Professor of Biochemistry, who specializes in Microbial Biotechnology and Molecular Biology stressed the need for the Federal Government to create a Ministry of Biotechnology, which will exist along with the present Ministry of Science and Technology.
“I want to urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to create a Ministry of Biotechnology while still retaining the Ministry of Science and Technology; this will ensure purposeful development and funding of biotechnology,” he said.
He, however, charged relevant ministries including the National Universities Commission, (NUC) to mandate the donation of basic equipment needed for biotechnological research to all tertiary institutions annually in order to ensure adequate scientific infrastructure in tertiary institutions.
Prof. Olukanni further urged the Federal Government to take microbes seriously by establishing and funding Nigerian Type Collection Centre (NTCC) which will be located in six biotechnology centres of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. He added that the ministry should be vested with the responsibility of establishing a laboratory in each of the six geopolitical zones of the nation.
Present at the event were; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Shadrach Akindele; Wife of the Inaugural Lecturer, Mrs Atinuke Olukanni; the Registrar, Mrs Mojisola Oje; Acting Bursar, Mrs Patience Saliu; the Librarian, Dr. Akinniyi Adeleke; Provost, College of Post-graduate Studies, Prof. Olalere Adeyemi; Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences represented by Prof. Chiagoziem Otuechere; scholars from other universities; members of staff; well-wishers and the students of the institution.