The Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation Organized a double mode Lecture (The Virtual and Physical Lecture) Distinguished Guest Lecture on Thursday, 24th November 2022. The invited Guest Lecturer is Professor Christian Happi, PhD, Professor of Molecule Biology and Genomics, Founder and Director, African Center of Excellence for Genomics of infectious Diseases (ACEGID). Tilted of his lecture “Genomics Characterization and Surveillance of Microbial Threats in West Africa”.
The Guest lecturer and other dignitaries were present. Chairman, Board of Trustees Professor Oladele Kale, represented by Professor Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa welcomed everyone and gave a brief history of the Foundation. TBBF (Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation) started in 1974 with the sole aim of building capacity in biomedical research as well as showcase eminent researchers in the country. He encouraged senior researchers to inform their students about the Thomas-Bassir grant fellowship.
To deliver the Chairman’s speech was Professor Ezekiel Ayoola (DVC ADMIN) who represented the Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan Professor Adebowale.
The citation of the Guest lecturer Prof Christian Happi was then taken by Professor Iruka N. Okeke who is the Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Science and who recently won the 2022 Microbiology Society Prize.
After the Guest Lecturer’s Citation, the Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGRID), Professor Christian Happi started his lecture by saying that the genome-wide scan in Nigeria shows that people in southwestern Nigeria are better protected genetically from the virus and the reason the infection is less rampant in the region.
But then in other parts of West Africa, because the virus is young, it has not created that level of selection yet and still kills people that much. Remember that the virus on its own is trying to survive, so eventually, we have a situation where people are naturally selected to survive the virus. That is what happens in some parts of Nigeria.”
On Ebola fever, he said Nigeria needs to be vigilant and maintain public health education on its signs and symptoms as part of Nigeria’s preparedness for any epidemic.
Professor Happi, however, said apart from rats, the Lassa fever virus is also spread by domestic animals like dogs and cats and Nigerians should be wary of how they handle their pets.
The genomics resolution
These have revolutionized the way we approach healthcare and research. The only reason why Africa has not been part of this revolution is because of the knowledge we have about it, and the lack of funding and support. Africa should use the resources, including parasites and infections to do research and take its rightful place. He also said that the most infectious continent happens to be Africa. He talked about the fact that fever is the most likely symptom noticed in disease
The guest lecturer encourages students to think out of the box and get ready to be the best at what they do, think without borders and do what it takes to be good.
The Guest lecturer. Professor Christian Happi ended the amazing and insightful lecture at 12:02 pm. We have about 150 guests in attendance, and 41 guests attended online.
This was followed by the presentation of the award Plaque to the Guest Lecturer, afterwards the closing remark was made by Professor Ezekiel Ayoola (DVC ADMIN) who represented the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan Professor Adebowale. The vote of thanks was given by one of the Members of the Board of Trustees of Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Professor Grace Gbotosho.
The insightful lecture ended at about 12:40pm, followed by a group Photograph.