The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, has charged Nigerians on exemplary virtues and legacies capable promoting an ideal society for all even after earthly sojourn.

Adebooye gave the charge at the 3rd Biennial Lecture organised by the university’s College of Health Sciences in conjunction with the family of its pioneer Provost, the late Professor Taiwo Adegboyega Adewole.

The lecture, held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium of the university, was organised to commemorate the contributions of Adewole, who died on September 4, 2019.

Adebooye recalled that Adewole played a significant role in “establishing the College of Health Sciences and worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the university’s medical programme.”

The VC, who noted that earlier in the year, UNIOSUN graduated and inducted its first set of medical doctors, described the development as a major achievement in the history of the institution, just as he urged participants at the lecture to emulate Adewole’s commitment to service and institution-building.

He said, “We must always strive to leave good legacies behind and ensure that we leave the world better than we met it.”

The guest lecturer, Professor R.A. Bolarinwa, of the Department of Haematology and Immunology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, spoke on “The Role of Molecular Biology in Sickle Cell Disease: The Past, The Present and The Future.”

Bolarinwa explained that “molecular biology had transformed the understanding, diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease, particularly through advances in genetic and molecular techniques.”

The don further stated, “Molecular diagnostic techniques could identify specific abnormalities and genes associated with sickle cell disease,” adding that “Polymerase Chain Reaction, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and gene sequencing had expanded the possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.”

Bolarinwa also highlighted the pioneering contribution of Adewole and his colleagues to sickle cell disease research in Nigeria, stressing that “prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disease using DNA obtained from chorionic villi was first carried out in the country in 1999 using the Polymerase Chain Reaction method.”

Bolarinwa said the study involved 124 samples, with DNA analysis confirming HbSS in 23 cases, representing 18.5 per cent.

He added that advances in molecular biology had moved sickle cell disease management beyond basic diagnosis to precision medicine, enabling researchers to identify genetic modifiers that influence disease severity and treatment outcomes.

The lecturer identified emerging areas including fetal haemoglobin induction, stem cell transplantation, gene therapy and gene-editing technologies as potential frontiers in the treatment of sickle cell disease.

He noted that CRISPR-based gene-editing technology, in particular, represented an important development in personalised treatment for the disorder.

Bolarinwa also discussed targeted therapies and other drugs used in the management of sickle cell disease, stressing the need for continued research to improve outcomes for affected patients.

In his remarks, the Timi of Ede, who was the royal father of the day, commended UNIOSUN and the College of Health Sciences for sustaining the memorial lecture in honour of the late professor.

The monarch prayed for the success of the participants and appreciated the university and the Adewole family for preserving the memory and legacy of the late academic.

Adewole served as the Foundation Provost of the College of Health Sciences, UNIOSUN, from 2007 to 2011. He was also a researcher, teacher, mentor and administrator whose work included the application of Polymerase Chain Reaction in the diagnosis of inherited disorders and prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia.