Chairman's Remarks

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

The Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation (TBBF), which started out as the Wellcome Nigeria Fund was founded by Professor Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas FRCS, CBE, CON who was a former Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1974.

From his experience as a medical research scientist, Professor H. Oritsejolomi recognized that local funding would have two important effects: (1) contribute solutions to health problems that are specific to tropical areas, and (2) help build and sustain health research capacity in Nigeria. The Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation (formerly Wellcome Nigeria Fund) greatly appreciates and commends Professor H. Oritsejolomi for taking this initiative and giant stride in partnering with other stakeholders on the need to fund indigenous funding for research into health problems that face the Nigerian people.

The Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation (TBBF) is strategically positioned to consider well-thought-out requests for research support from individuals and organizations in any area of Human, Veterinary, and Pharmacy studies. Many of these awards will fall under the category of small grants, which can be used to explore a research topic more thoroughly or to help researchers finish a portion of ongoing research.

Any worthwhile original research proposal of relevant national or continental significance that requires substantial funding is welcome to be discussed with individuals or organizations and TBBF would be willing to be involved in the execution of the project.

However, there is a need to encourage private sector participation in Biomedical research in Nigeria, and so this provides a great incentive for individuals and organizations to support the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation so that it can continue to promote Human and Animal health research for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

Thank you.