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The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has partnered with state government of Osun, on locally production of COVID-19 drugs.
OAU management revealed that the institution is collaborating with Osun Government, on pharmaceutical structures for COVID-19 drugs to be locally produced as part of its commitments towards bringing an end to the global pandemic.
This was made to known by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, while speaking to journalists at a press event to mark the 60th anniversary of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the federal government had approached the institution during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis because it had developed some novel natural products even before the pandemic.
He said, “So working with the state and Federal Government, our researchers have been able to come up with some of the products of Obafemi Awolowo University that will be very useful in suppressing the symptoms of COVID-19.”
However, he added that the supply of electricity, funding and the problem of insecurity as well as incessant strikes have been some of the problems confronting the University.
Professor Ogunbodede reiterated that the University was making plans to generate 8.3 megawatts of gas-powered electricity to meet the needs of students and staff on campus.
He said the problems have affected the service delivery and capability in teaching, research and in carrying out its community social responsibility.
In his words, “there has been a persistent shortfall in personnel costs. The declining government subvention and the pressures of expansion coupled with the unwillingness of students to pay commensurate tuition fees worsened by the ageing infrastructure, have necessitated the need to explore alternative funding sources.”