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(Ilorin)
Some Nigerian researchers, led by Professor Mathew Olatunji Kolawole, Director, Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (IMSB), University of Ilorin says they have developed three viable proposals for research on various aspects of the contagious diseases, including COVID-19.
Duaglobalnews reports that the development is coming as policy makers in the nation’s health sector continue to grapple with the challenge of finding effective medication to curb the raging Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
Kolawole,, a Professor of Medical Virology, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Ilorin.
Prof. Kolawole, who is the Director of the University’s Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (IMSB) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
The don said that his team of researchers had prepared proposals for the development of vaccines, molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19 as well as a prototype for the detection of COVID-19.
He, however, identified funding as the only impediment toward the realisation of that dream
The Professor said, “Proposals have been written by me and some of my research team. One is on the development of a vaccine; another has to do with molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19 and the third has to do with developing a prototype for case detection.
“The prototype will hopefully be ready by next week for a pre-test. Once it is ready and fine, we will be seeking for funds.”
The IMSB Director said that to develop the prototype for case detection, he and his team of researchers had been using their personal funds for the effort.
“I have used my personal funds and members of my team have also contributed personal funds to develop the prototype.This is the bane of research in Nigeria. ideas are there but when you don’t have funds, you can do nothing.”
He appealef to the government to support the team with funds, assuring that “there is capacity to do more if research is funded”.
He added that “ASUU is on strike and we have not received salary for February and March but I have been working and spending my money on research. If I can do this, it shows the passion and level of commitment I have for research,”he added..
Kolawole recalled that he was the first to report the Coronavirus in Nigeria in 2017, adding that if his work had been taken seriously, Nigeria would have been better prepared to combat COVID-19.
“I was the first to report Coronavirus – OC229E/NL63 in Nigeria in 2017. It is a srain of the Coronavirus family – not COVID-19,
‘The research was funded with international partners in the U.S. with a grant from the National Science Foundation; but I was the one that did the local research,”the renowned researcher said.
