Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL, Sir Kensington Adebutu Medical Research Centre to improve health outcomes in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the inauguration yesterday in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described the project as “an intellectual investment” that depicts true philanthropic donation to human capital development.
He said the centre would serve as a global hub for research in medical and related fields not only for the university, but for Nigeria and beyond.
Commending Adebutu, the donor, for the gesture, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture to leave behind legacies that would outlive them.
“As the name connotes, it is a science research centre inside the faculty of medicine in the university. Research is one of the areas we have not really put the needed resources to be able to boost it.
“So, the centre would help the university, college and generally everybody of intellectual power to come forth to a center like this and be able to perform research that is needed not just for today, but for tomorrow and thereafter in medical and related fields.
“It will also help in the development of human capacity and competence of artificial intelligence, ensuring that a centre like this plays not just a local role, but a global role in medicine.
“I believe that it is an opportunity for researchers to go into the laboratory, do creative things, look for grants and explore ways of developing things that would solve the world’s problems, especially in medicine, to keep us alive.
“It is indeed a calling for all of us that are wealthy to see philanthropy as a way of giving back to the community so that it can outlive you, because government alone cannot do it all,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa said the project fits into the education sector – to enhance innovations that would continually put Nigeria in the global space.
Alausa said the facility would be a multi-dimensional research centre for comprehensive translational and clinical research that will improve the overall health outcome of Nigeria and the world.
According to him, plans are underway to setting up “a National Research Trust Fund” for the provision of accessible fund for research.
“I am happy to announce plans for the establishment of National Research Trust Fund, though I have not gotten the full approval from the president, but he has given a verbal approval.
“The trust fund aims to unleash billions of naira into our research base where researchers can competitively apply for grants in a way that is sustainable to move their research from bench to market.
“We need to innovate, improve our health and ensure that humanity stays healthy; as you improve the health of a nation, you improve its human capital,” Alausa said.
The Provost of CMUL, Professor Ademola Oremosu said the project resuscitated a tradition called ‘High Table Dinner’ of MESILAG Alumni in 2019, where Adebutu made donation for the project.
Oremosu, who lauded the donor, said the inauguration of the project marks Adebutu’s 90th birthday.
“The research centre is a promise to our students, researchers and faculty that their ideas will be nurtured, their inquiries supported and their discoveries empowered.
“It is a space where science meets service, where data meets dignity and where knowledge becomes healing,” Oremosu said.
Speaking, the 90-year-old philanthropist and donor of the facility, Adebutu said it was only by the Grace of God that he had gone that far.
He reiterated his commitment to humanitarian services, saying it is just a way of giving back to the society.
“I wish the facility becomes a source of innovation and human capital development, contributing meaningfully to the health and wellbeing of our communities,” Adebutu said. (NAN)
