The Board of Trustees, Centre for the Advancement of Research in Diabetes in Nigeria, has concluded plans to establish a diabetes research centre at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
The centre, according to the Head, Directorate of Public Relations of the institution, Emi’ Alawode, when operational, would foster research and the use of medicinal plants for the benefit of diabetic patients; both in Nigeria and Africa.
The Grand Patron of the Centre and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo made the disclosure during a working visit of the Board of Trustees to the land allocated for the centre by FUNAAB.
Obasanjo who is also an Honorary Awardee of the University recalled what brought about the idea of establishing the centre, stating that he believed Nigeria had not done enough in the area of research for medicinal plants and diabetic patients.
The former President confirmed the efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicines and called on stakeholders and practitioners to promote its cause through research and collaboration.
In his view, pharmaceutical companies have not extracted up to 20 percent of needed “active ingredients” in roots and herbs, to cure ailments and diseases, while confirming that China and South Africa had made appreciable progress in the field.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the centre, Emeritus Professor Oladipupo Akinkugbe, said the project, which was conceived nine years ago, would promote collaborative research for the promotion of “Town and Gown”; offer curative mechanism for diabetic patients across Africa and ensure health-free society.
He added, “You need this kind of collaboration in the universities for the overall development and the Town and the Gown, like that of the University of Ibadan and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture”.
