Experts, stakeholders including the Acting Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Oyedamola Oke, have proffered solutions to the seemingly intractable covid-19 pandemic ravaging the globe; they also commended Researchers over breakthroughs in their research endeavours, these were the outcomes at the LASU 3rd Research Fair which took place at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, on the Main Campus of the institution in Ojo on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.
The theme of the Research Fair was Creative and Innovative Solutions to Covid-19 Pandemic.
Acting Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Oyedamola Oke, commended the doggedness of researchers for their efforts in inventing vaccines for the Covid-19 virus ravaging the global community.
Oke stated that the advances one have seen in the fight against the virus and the attendant gains is due to the hard work of Distinguished scientists and researchers in various parts of the world, adding that without such novel and groundbreaking work in the sequencing of the virus, the PCR test and vaccine development, the world might have been worse off.
He added “Our intention as a university is to share our research in this field and contribute significantly to tackling the pandemic. I hope the important spitting with global potentials will emanate from our university soon,” Oke stated.
Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Director, Directorate of Research Management and innovation, in welcoming the guests said Lagos State University has demonstrated uncommon passion, hard work and search for solutions through a number of ways, coordinated by the Directorate of Research Management and innovation to tackle the pandemic.
He disclosed further “The Research Fair is but one medium to announce the contributions of our researchers to solving Covid-19 pandemic.”
Odusanya said “The pandemic is not going away soon and we may expect more pandemics in the near future. Therefore preparedness, surveillance, capacity building, funding, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and cutting edge research remains the viable tools to keep the human race steps ahead of such pathogens.
“I call on all interested in advancing the welfare of the human race to be committed to the development and deployment of the tools needed to deal with pathogens with pandemic potential,” Odusanya maintained.
He said universities, philanthropists, the private sector and researchers must come together to ensure Nigeria and our university can rapidly develop creative and innovative solutions to pandemics.
Sir David O. A. Sunmoni, Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, LASU, on his part, said that Covid-19 is an uninvited visitor that has ravaged the whole world since late 2019 and still causing mayhem to human existence.
However, he added, “Through the wonders of modern medicine, science, research and technology, we have been able to stem the tide of the pandemic, even though we are not out of the woods yet. There are still many scientific, medical, social and societal questions left unanswered and several opportunities left unexplored. That is why research fairs like this are important.”
“Through the wonders of modern medicine, science, research and technology, we have been able to stem the tide of the pandemic, even though we are not out of the woods yet. There are still many scientific, medical, social and societal questions left unanswered and several opportunities left unexplored. That is why research fairs like this are important.”
Sunmoni further commended the Lagos State Government and said “As the theme of this year’s fair states, researchers will share their latest discoveries on ways of solving the socio-economic, medical and livelihood challenges associated with corona virus. We must give kudos to the Lagos State Government for rising to the occasion and leading the pack in the management of the sudden pandemic.
“The introduction of nose masks, hand sanitizers, social distancing and other protocols that were deployed to curtail the intentions of the dangerous pandemic are commendable,” he stated.
Sunmoni said that the covid-19 vaccine is a result of quick scientific research and said more explorations and testing are further required to contain the new variants.
“I wish to enjoin the participants at this Research Fair to maximize this opportunity to collaborate and network with one another and produce innovative Researches that can stand the test of time.
“Finally, I thank the University Management led by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Oyedamola Oke, Principal Officers, staff and students for keeping the flag of our University flying high. I wish all participants at this Research Fair a memorable and stimulating outing,” Sunmoni concluded.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof Akin Osibogun of the Department of Community Health and Primary Healthcare, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, whose discussion centred on Prevention which he said is not only better and cheaper, encouraged Nigerians to get vaccinated for the Covid-19 virus, he said “My advice to Nigerians is to get vaccinated if they have access to the vaccine, as much as possible with the number of doses we have, Nigerians should not be hesitant to access the vaccine.
“The second point is to adopt public health measures, the use of face mask because the vaccine does not prevent you from getting infected, the vaccine prevents you from getting severe complications from the infection, the vaccine prevents you from being hospitalized, the vaccine prevents you from getting into the ICU, so get vaccinated and have a set of second layer, third layer of prevention which is using your face mask, washing your hands and avoiding crowded and indoor events. Open space is fine because the air will dilute whatever is going on, but even then still give some respectable distance,” Osibogun stressed.
The Fair was physical and hybrid and featured paper presentations. The first presenter, Prof. Adeolu Bakare, Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, LASU talked on “Revitalizing Nigerian Economy Post COVID19.
The second paper was delivered by Prof. Ayodeji Badejo, Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, LASU. Her presentation was on “Strategic Actions for uplifting Nigerian Universities to Global Reckoning which she did online via Zoom. There were other papers.
Highlights of the event include presentation of University Funded Research under the Chairmanship of former Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Prof. S.G Odewunmi. The research grant winners include Prof. B.S Aribisala, Faculty of Science; Dr. T.A Yemitan, Faculty of Dentistry, and Dr. M.R Akinyinka, Department of Community Health & Primary Health Care.
