Chancellor tasks Buhari, NASS on research funding 

Chancellor, Precious Cornerstone University, (PCU), Ibadan, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called on the Federal Government to make funds accessible to researchers for improved growth and national development.

Oke said there was urgent need for the government and other relevant stakeholders to assist researchers in the country who are battling to save lives through their works, especially during pandemics like the COVID-19.

The chancellor who is also the presiding bishop of the Sword of the Spirit ministries, also appealed to the National Assembly to enact laws that would make it compulsory for relevant agencies to finance research efforts.

He made these remarks at a luncheon organised in honour of some Nigerian scientists who developed two preventive vaccines for the treatment of coronavirus.

The cleric lauded the team coordinated by the vice chancellor of PCU, Prof Kola Oloke and Dr Oladipo Kolawole of Adeleke University, Ede.

He said, “COVID-19 is a war without gun but with a deadly virus that has left thousands of people dead around the globe.”

Oke subsequently appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to support researchers with genuine proof, by funding their works.

“I am appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and others in his team, to support Nigeria scientists by making funds available to them. They are highly intelligent and making waves all over the world. They just need that support.

“The National Assembly should legislate on how to make research funding accessible to researchers while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the concerned private sector should do the needful”.

Oke reminded that the future of any nation is hinged on research. “Through this, future generations will call us blessed. I want to equally urge this research team not to give up until their efforts become crystalised and I believe that God will see you through.”

The founder, Adeleke University, Dr Deji Adeleke represented by the dean faculty of science, Prof Olubukola Oyawoye, commended the researchers for their works and urged the government as well meaning individuals to support them in the task of developing the nation.

Giving an over view of the research work, Prof. Oloke said it took them more than two months to arrive at the present point, adding that the team is at the point of animal trial experiment.

The vice chancellor lamented inadequate funding of research by successive governments and called for a change.