The Global Fund, Geneva and Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Nigeria have appointed Dr. M. A. Adeleke of the Department of Zoology, Osun State University as the Principal Investigator for the studies on malaria vectors surveillance sentinel sites in Osun State, Nigeria.
The project will be hosted by Osun State University, Osogbo. Other members of the team include Dr. K.A Fasasi and Dr. M.A Rufai from the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, UNIOSUN.
The Head of Integrated Vector Management, FMoH, Abuja, Mr Oyale Okoko and Dr. Petrus Inyama from Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI/USAID) disclosed this on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University in Osogbo.
The delegation stated that malaria is the most deadly tropical disease in the world responsible for millions of deaths annually. The disease is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The team further gave insight on changing in vector biology, behaviour and resistance to common insecticides; hence the need for in-depth studies to unravel the mechanisms driving the changes most especially in Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus that are major vectors of malaria in Africa.
The Global fund will provide logistic and equipment to Osun State University for successful implementation of the project and capacity building of the staff in the University.
In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Labode Popoola welcomed the team and thanked Global Fund and FMoH for selecting Osun State University to host the project. He expressed confidence in the ability of the Principal Investigator and his team to deliver quality results that will inform policies in malaria elimination agenda in Osun State and Nigeria in general.
In his words: “Malaria is a common enemy and we must all join hands together to eliminate it. One of our cardinal focuses as a University is to conduct cutting edge studies that will have direct impact on the well-being and socio-economic development of our immediate environment and global community. On behalf of the Management of the University, rest assured of our total support towards successful execution of the project.”
The meeting was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Labode Popoola, Prof. Amos Popoola (Director of Research and Linkages), Dr. O.O Abiona (Ag. Dean, Students Affairs), Dr M.A Adeleke (Ag. Director of Academic Planning and Principal Investigator of the project), Dr. K.A Fasasi (Ag. Head of Department of Zoology), Dr. O. Obiseye (Deputy Director, Directorate of Intercampus and Public Affairs), Mr. Jibola Oyekunle (Assistant Registrar, Corporate Affairs-DICPA), Mrs. Adeyanju and Mr. Ibrahim from the State Ministry of Health.