…As Osibogun urges Nigerians to get vaccinated
From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Acting Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Oyedamola Oke has commended the doggedness of researchers for their efforts in inventing vaccines for the Covid-19 virus ravaging the global community.
Oke made his position known in his Welcome Speech at the LASU 3rd Research Fair which took place at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, in the Main Campus of the institution in Ojo on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
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.
“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.”
He further said that the theme of the Fair: ‘Creative and Innovative Solutions to the Covid-19 Pandemic’, which is focused on the number one global health emergency perhaps not seen in the last 50 years is apt and appropriate, saying that no one would have thought a virus would bring the world to a near halt.
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.
Oke said the Covid-19 is an uninvited visitor that has ravaged the whole world since late 2019 and still causing mayhem to human existence.
He continued “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 coronavirus.”
Commending the Lagos State Government, headed by Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu , he said “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 urged the participants to maximize the opportunity offered by the Fair to collaborate and network to produce innovative research that will stand the test of time “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.”
The Keynote Speaker, Professor Akin Osibogun of the Department of Community Health and Primary Healthcare, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) in his submission encouraged Nigerians to get vaccinated “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 complication 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; the air will dilute whatever is going on, but even then still give some respectable distance,” Osibogun advised.
