The management of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), on Monday said the institution has commenced the production of plant-based pharmaceutical products.
This was stated by the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Smaranda Olarinde, a professor, while addressing journalists before the convocation ceremonies of the 12th and 15th anniversary of the institution scheduled for Monday, October 21.
Ms Olarinde said the institution has been able to locally develop three medicines, including Virucidin (a syrup that stimulates the immune system); Natucadine (an anti-aging herbal supplement and AB-Mal (an anti-malaria capsule).
He noted that the effectiveness of the medications was tested and excellent results were obtained, in addition to requesting partners for the promotion and sale of the products.
She said: “We created the Bogo Research Center for drug manufacturing. So far we have developed three products: Virucidin, Natucadine and AB-Mal. All three medicines are natural and of plant origin without chemical additives.
“We are looking for alliances for the promotion and sale of these medicines.
“This will require greater collaboration with us in the area of research. Therefore, we call on people and organizations to further introduce our pharmaceutical products to the outside world by getting partners to promote them.”
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The vice-chancellor stated that ABUAD has continued its upward trajectory “as the shining beacon of quality university education”, adding that the institution's multi-system hospital has completed 18 kidney transplant surgeries with 100 per cent success.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony, Mrs. Olarinde said there were a total of 1,662 graduates, of which 177 were postgraduate students, 161 medical students and 22 from ABUAD Business School.
The VC added that 226 students would graduate with First Class, while 693 students obtained Second Class Upper Division and 350 students obtained Second Class Lower Division.
Honor for Fagbemi
The Vice Chancellor also added that honorary doctorates will be awarded to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; founder of Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare, pastor and another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Damian Dodo, “in gratitude for his impact on society.”
Mrs. Smaranda noted that the three eminent personalities were carefully selected in accordance with the Keffi Declaration of 2012 after a thorough, rigorous and merit-based selection process.
The Keffi Declaration, to which the chancellor refers, is the resolution of the committee of chancellors of Nigerian universities and other stakeholders on the rules and regulations governing the award of honorary degrees by tertiary institutions.
The decision was made following the rampant and reckless awarding of honorary degrees by some tertiary institutions, a development that many claimed has brought ridicule to the country's university system.