A Professor of Microbiology at Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo, Dauphin Moro, has expressed his concerns about Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported vaccines. He urged the Nigerian government to create an enabling environment that supports the use of indigenous scientists and manufacturers in the production of local vaccines.

Professor Moro also called on both national and sub-national governments to increase their budgetary allocations for education and to invest adequately in disease monitoring and surveillance.

He shared these Insights during the 113th Inaugural Lecture of LASU, held on Tuesday at the university’s Ojo campus.

He spoke on the topic, “A providential and paradoxical voyage into the invisible world: Microorganisms as indispensable friends and unavoidable enemies.”

The renowned microbiologist opined that it is high time Nigeria began to look inward, especially by engaging indigenous medical microbiologists and other scientists for vaccine needs rather than to depend on foreign vaccines to treat “domestic infections.”

He argued that microbiologists for example, including in Nigeria, had played one role or the other in the production of safe vaccines, urging government and global health-related bodies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO to accord and support them with what was required to play more active roles in this regard.

He said even though microorganisms may pose great health risks to man and other living species, they are unavoidable even as they play certain roles in man’s survival.

Prof Moro therefore underscored the importance of adequate investment in disease monitoring and surveillance, saying the practice would greatly help minimise the myriads of infections that plagued the country.

This is just as he equally highlighted the importance of the government increasing budgetary allocations to education as such would, among other things, reduce brain-drain and drive economic growth and development.

Also acknowledging the importance of government properly financing evidence-based and solution-driven research and innovation activities among scholars, the lecturer similarly advocated an upward review of university workers’ salaries and welfare packages to boost their productivity.

He advised the universities on their part, to give more attention to research and innovations that can address societal needs and provide for self-help projects such as green alternative power source, safe water, befitting offices, free internet facilities, among others to substantially drive productivity.

“We also need molecular diagnostic biology labs to be established in our universities for specific diagnosis of communicable diseases,” he said, adding, “This will also boost the internally generated revenue for schools.”

Similarly, universities should also recruit lecturers only on the basis of competence and moral integrity while blocking all the loopholes that can lead to corruption in the system.

He mentioned that all these aspects are important for making universities in the country solution-driven.

Prof. Moro, however, expressed his appreciation to the management of LASU, especially the vice-chancellor, for allowing him to share his knowledge in his field. He underscored the importance of the topic for living species, medical education, and national development.

He also thanked his family members, particularly his wife, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Moro, for always being there as pillars of support for him.

Earlier in her address, the vice-chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, commended the inaugural lecturer for what she described as an insightful and thought-provoking lecture.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello, who was represented at the event by the deputy vice-chancellor (Academics), Prof. Taiwo Afisi, expressed optimism that the knowledge shared would positively impact the medical field, university education, and society at large.

She stated that through the inaugural lecture, Prof. Moro has fulfilled his academic obligations and is now welcomed into the fold of the University Senate as a member.

She concluded by saying that LASU would continue to strengthen the relationship between academia and the community. (Nigerian Tribune)