Researchers commend NIMR Foundation for enhancing research capacity
By Kemi Akintokun
Some participants at the ongoing fourth Biannual Mentorship and Grantsmanship programme organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Foundation have lauded the organisers for enhancing research capacity in the country.
The participants spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
NAN reports that 30 participants from the six geo-political zones in the country are currently participating in the two weeks programme aimed at enhancing researchers’ skills in developing high-quality and competitive grant proposals.
Dr Ayodapo Jegede, a Clinical Pharmacist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, told NAN that the programme had been of immense benefit to him, owing to vast knowledge and experience of facilitators at the programme.
Jegede said: “I have been exposed to a lot of things within the short period of time being under the tutelage of our facilitators and it has been extraordinary moment for me.
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“One thing that stood out for me is being able to work together in a group and we are in an era where inter-professional collaboration is key if we must forge ahead in research.
“NIMR Foundation is doing well by using the seed funds they have to train researchers and the fact that we’re trying to solve problems that are particular to Nigeria requires a lot of funding and resources.”
Also, Dr Grace Adebanjo-Gege, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Physiology, Baze University, Abuja, said the training had been a major eye opener that would further enhance her research skills.
Adebanjo-Gege urged other research institutions and states to emulate NIMR in building the capacity of researchers in the country.
“This is a great learning avenue for me and other researchers to hone our skills and this opportunity has opened my eyes to see and understand things that will take me years to achieve.
“It has also awakened my spirit to translational research which is the way to go and we need more of this training to boost research capacity in the country,” she said
Also, Dr Adeboyega Oyefabi, a Public Health Physician at the Kaduna State University, commended the Board Members of the NIMR Foundation for supporting research development in the country.
Oyefabi said that the programme would have multiple effect and impact on young researchers, noting that all the participants were academics who would cascade every knowledge in their various institutions.
NIMR Foundation is a private, non-profit organisation established by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in 2018.
The foundation was registered in February 2020 with the Corporate Affairs Commission and with a former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, NIMR Research Foundation.
It also has the mandate to expand the capacity for translational research among early career investigators and promote innovation, development and commercialisation of home-grown medicines, vaccines and technologies to address the country’s health challenges. (NAN)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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