Researchers from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, are on the verge of producing a potent drug with the capacity to tackle the dreaded cancer disease.
The drug is being formulated from extracts of some local plants.
The Dean of Science, Prof. Olusegun Akinwumi, made the revelation on Thursday, October 7, 2021, while speaking at a seminar put together by the Faculty.
He said that a group of researchers from the Faculty has succeeded in identifying and extracting cancer-fighting properties from some local plants that have yielded positive results in laboratory and field trials.
The development, he said, ‘raises hope of eventually formulating drugs that can successfully reverse or heal cancerous growths in humans’, adding that the ground-breaking result from the research would be unveiled to the public upon the completion of human trials and certification.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as novel drug Phyto-scaffold in Breast Cancer: Computational and In-Vivo Validation of the Anticancer Effects of Carotenoids from Spondias Mombin,’ Dr. Damilohun Metibemu, said that chemoprevention, fresh fruits, and phytochemical plants in the human environment could be used to prevent cancer occurrence.
He described cancer as a disease that makes some cells in the body grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, adding that such cancerous growth could start almost anywhere in the human body made up of trillions of cells.
The researcher added it has become imperative to consider local plants in the fight against the disease. He specifically identified a common fruit called Ekikan in local parlance as one of the locally-available fruits with proven cancer-fighting properties.
He called on corporate groups, philanthropists, as well as other stakeholders in the country to support research with funds and grants.
STUDENT UNION, TRAINING GROUND FOR FUTURE LEADERS – VC
The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, Prof. Olugbenga Ige has enjoined the newly-elected executives of the Student Union in the Institution to use the period of their leadership to learn how to manage men and resources.
He gave the advice on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at the swearing-in ceremony of new officers.
Prof. Ige congratulated the new leaders and urged them to demonstrate maturity in leadership, adding that as leaders, they were expected to serve as good examples to their fellow students in terms of comportment and mode of dressing.
The Vice Chancellor reminded them that the University has zero tolerance for indecent dressing and other anti-social behaviours.
Prof I’ve who also cautioned against any aggressive agitation that could jeopardise the peace and tranquility of the institution, charged them to encourage their fellow students to complete their registration on time.
The Vice Chancellor later administered the Oath of Office on the new executives, led by Kolade Ogunsanmi (President); while the Registrar, Mr. Gbenga Arajulu presented the Certificate of Return to them.
Others executives are; Oluwakemisola Salami (Vice President), Tolulope Adeyefa (General Secretary), Timilehin Akinsulure (Public Relations Officer), Abe Busuyi (Treasurer), Okeke Patrick (Social Director), Odole Mojisola (Welfare Director), and Akinwalere Omoniyi (Assistant General Secretary).
Also inaugurated at the ceremony were leaders of the Student Representatives Council (SRC) and the Student Judicial Council (SJC).
In his remark, the Dean of Students, Prof. Segun Akanbi, appreciated the University authorities and the ICT Application Centre for ensuring a faultless electronic election that allowed thousands of students to exercise their franchise.
In his Valedictory Speech, the immediate past President of the Student Union, Comr. Daniel Oluwasegun Obagunwa, congratulated the new officers and wished them well in their administration.
In his speech, the new President, Comr. Ogunsanmi, promised to employ dialogue and diplomacy in steering the affairs of the new administration. He also pledged that his administration would ensure peaceful and convenient atmosphere in the University and that his focus would be erecting a lasting foundation for the Students’ Union.
