By Olukayode Idowu
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has assured authorities of York University, United Kingdom, of the readiness of the state to collaborate in becoming a base for the University’s biomedical research center, making it the fifth in Africa.
Buni gave the assurance on Monday when he visited the University, saying the state is committed to joint funding opportunities, equipment upgrades and capacity building for students, teachers, doctors and scientists to promote study and research for service delivery in healthcare services.
He also solicited for a joint collaboration for research in renal and sickle cell diseases, to find the root causes, support patients and possible eradication.
The governor said, his government had awarded a N160 million contract for the construction a dedicated site for the Biomedical Research and Training Center at the State University.
The governor said: “Government has also upgraded the temporary site for the Research center at the University for conducive teaching and research activities.”
The governor suggested for exchange visits between teachers and students of the Universties of York and Yobe state University to improve their knowledge in research with peculiaries in the UK and Nigeria/Africa.
The governor was quoted in a statement by his spokesman, Mamman Mohammed to have said: “We are prepared to support research to improve healthcare delivery. We are also committed to produce manpower needed in our institutions to feed our heathcare facilities.
“Our government, people and the environment are all prepared for rewarding partnerships and collaboration.”
A World Renowned Researcher in Biomedical Science, Professor Peter O’Toole, who received the governor and his entourage, conducted him round the research center and introduced him to the latest state-of-the-art equipment in research.
O’Toole said the University which is renowned for academic excellence and medical research, established research centers in four African countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, kenya and Sudan with prospects to establish more.
Buni inspected hi-tech laboratories for study and research in microscopy and tichography for advance diagnosis of diseases and cancer cells in blood, and others.
He was accompanied by the Secretary to Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, the Registrar Yobe state University, Dr. Kalli Yusuf Gazalli, and the Chief Medical Director of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Goni Baba Waru.
The Honourary Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research and Innnovation, Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina, was firmly on ground to ensure smooth collaboration between Yobe state government and the York University.
