University of Jos - Nigeria
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, has advised the academia to brace up to the challenges associated with research activities for the benefit and progress of their immediate community.
The Vice-Chancellor stated this during a courtesy visit to the University Management by members of the Plateau State Research Committee on COVID-19 and other Infectious Diseases recently constituted by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Simon Bako Lalong.
While wishing the Committee success in discharging its mandate, Professor Maimako challenged the members to set aside any thought of immediate personal benefits, saying “the Academia are advised not to tow the line of insincerity and commercial benefits, but rather use their pool of knowledge to be the illumination to the problems that bedevil the society”.
Professor Maimako decried the attitude of some Medical Practitioners towards patients, noting that lack of commitment and negative behaviour by some of them lead to worsening condition among patients thereby causing untimely deaths to many citizens who ordinarily would have been saved if medical ethics were given priority.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed delight with the crop of researchers selected from the University by the State Government for the assignment, most of whom either studied or are Staff of the institution.
Professor Maimako called on the Federal Government to give greater consideration to the issue of early reopening of schools but in a safe and responsible manner with a view to increased investment in facilities that will enhance adherence to protection protocols.
Speaking earlier, the Committee Team Leader, Professor Noel Wannang explained that their visit was to pay homage to the institution and seek the Management’s blessing as they undertake their assignment.
Professor Wannang said, because the Plateau State Government places high premium on education, it turned to the academia in a bid to discover herbal and other conventional drugs that can curb the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as other infectious diseases, not just for the State’s benefit but for the world at large.
According to him, the Committee is seeking collaboration with UNIJOS and other stakeholders for a successful outing, stressing that the State Government has put all mechanisms in place for a hitch-free research process.
Also contributing, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Tanko Ishaya appreciated the State Government for taking bold steps to address the pandemic and disclosed that the University has excelled in the area of research and is ready to do more as its doors are always open for meaningful and impactful collaboration.
He explained that on its own, the University has initiated measures that will help in fighting against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases through various research programmes that are showing early signs of promising outcomes.