TETFUND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY COMMISSIONS UNIVERSITY OF JOS INFECTIOUS DISEASES SURVELLIANCE CENTRE AND MULTI-OMICS AND GLOBAL HEALTH INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY

TETFUND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY COMMISSIONS UNIVERSITY OF JOS INFECTIOUS DISEASES SURVELLIANCE CENTRE AND MULTI-OMICS AND GLOBAL HEALTH INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY 

The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND, Arc. Sonny Echono (FNIA) has commissioned two world class state of the art Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Multi-Omics and Global Health Laboratory (MOGHIL) in the University of Jos.

Speaking to the Institution’s Management, Deans and Directors the Executive Secretary (ES) said the projects were supported by TETfund under the 2024 Special Intervention as part of deliberate efforts to address critical national health care challenges.

He said this purpose-built state-of-the art laboratories are expected to support cutting edge research in disease surveillance, molecular diagnostics and integrated multi-omics approaches including genomics, transcriptiomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bio-intermatics to address global health challenges.

The ES congratulated the Council and Management of the University, under the visionary and highly fruitful leadership of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Tanko Ishaya, on the successful execution and completion of such vital projects which he said is a clear demonstration of visionary and purposeful leadership of the current management of the institution and its commitment to excellence, adding that TETFund will continue to identify with the University of Jos in its unwavering commitment to providing a conducive environment for teaching and research as part of its core mandate. It especially commended the University Management for prudent management of intervention funds.

Arc. Echono said as a country that has core recognition of knowledge, those who collect, share and use it for the development of the country will be highly appreciated adding that a fast mode for achieving that objective is to leverage opportunities for research which can also impact society.

The ES acknowledged the great positive efforts of University of Jos since inception and said the institution can lead the way and show the path on ways Nigeria can solve its own problems, especially with the availability of its resources and people with intellectual content that when harnessed will solve the problem of infectious diseases.

He said TETFund is convinced that the provision of a conducive atmosphere for undertaking academic activity remains one of the most compelling strategies for accelerating the global competitiveness of institutions, stressing that it is imperative to prioritize investment in the training and provision of medical facilities to enhance service delivery.

He also disclosed that the Fund has made provision under the 2025 and 2026 special intervention for the provision, equipping and operationalization of a Medical Simulation Centre in Public Universities with a Ministerial Implementation Monitoring Committee of Medical Professionals also assisting the Fund to ensure effective implementation of the intervention.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya (FBCS, FNCS) expressed the institutions gratitude to the ES for his commitment to helping University of Jos to carry out advanced research and said the ES had approved a special intervention for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and another for the building of a students’ hostel’.

Principal Managers of the Disease Surveillance Centre, Professor Hayward Muhyai and that of the Multi-Omics Laboratory, Professor Abraham Dogo made special presentations to the ES who commissioned the facilities and later went to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where the Ag. Director, Professor Lami Lombin took him round to inspect world class laboratories funded by TETfund and also for him to have a first- hand assessment of other facilities and the buildings gutted by fire in 2022.

John Orshi