Governor Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State has expressed readiness to partner with York University in the United Kingdom to establish a biomedical research center in Yobe.
When this happens, it will be the fifth in Africa, a statement by Mohammed Mamman, the governor’s spokesman on Monday said.
Gov. Buni gave the assurance when he visited the university on Monday, 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 effective 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 of a dedicated site for the Biomedical Research and Training Center at the State University.
‘Meanwhile, government has also upgraded the temporary site for the research center at the university for conducive teaching and research activities,’ Buni said.
The governor suggested exchange visits between teachers and students of the universities of York and Yobe to improve their knowledge in research with peculiarities in the UK and Nigeria/Africa.
‘We are prepared to support research to improve healthcare delivery. We are also committed to producing manpower needed in our institutions to feed our healthcare facilities.
‘Our government, people and the environment are all prepared for rewarding partnerships and collaboration,’ Governor Buni added.
Professor Peter O’Toole, a world-renowned researcher in biomedical science, who received Governor Buni and his entourage, conducted him around the research center and introduced him to the latest state-of-the-art equipment in research.
According to Prof. Peter, 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.
Governor Buni inspected hi-tech laboratories for study and research in microscopy and psychography for advanced diagnosis of diseases and cancer cells in blood and others.
Governor Buni was accompanied by Baba Malam Wali, the secretary to state government; Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, the commissioner for health; Dr. Kalli Yusuf Gazali, the registrar of Yobe University and Dr. Goni Baba Waru, the chief medical director of the university’s teaching hospital.
Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, honorary special adviser to the governor on science, research and innovation, was firmly on ground to ensure smooth collaboration between Yobe state government and the York University.
This is a positive development, as it will help to improve healthcare delivery in Yobe State and Nigeria as a whole. Biomedical research is essential for developing new treatments and cures for diseases. It is also important for training healthcare professionals and scientists.
The partnership between Yobe State and York University is a good example of how international collaboration can help to improve the lives of people across the world.
