By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), under the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, is set to collaborate with the Governing Board of the Centre for the Advancement of Research in Non-Communicable Diseases (CARNCD), located on campus near the Water Treatment Plant to actualise the vision of the Chief Promoter, and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR.
During a visit to the site on September 2, 2024, Prof. Kehinde expressed the University’s commitment to work with the Governing Board to revive the Centre, with the backing of Chief Obasanjo.
He emphasised the urgent need to address Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which he described as a threat to a healthy life. “The site is home to a variety of medicinal plants that have been cultivated specifically for managing NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis,” Prof. Kehinde noted.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by Prof. Babatunde Idowu, former Vice-Chancellor of Glorious Vision University (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, and Dr. Akindele Adeyi from the Department of Pure and Applied Zoology (PAZ), College of Biosciences (COLBIOS).
Among the medicinal plants thriving at the Centre were King of Bitters, turmeric, ginger, moringa, miracle plant, and scent leaves.
Chief Obasanjo, who serves as the Centre’s Patron in Nigeria, underscored the critical need for early detection and treatment of NCDs. “Non-communicable diseases are silent killers, and late diagnosis contributes to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Many Nigerians are unknowingly living with these conditions. Early diagnosis and access to effective treatments can significantly improve their quality of life,” he stated.
Meanwhile, NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, are now the leading causes of disability and death globally. In Nigeria, studies reveal that at least 10% of the population is hypertensive, and approximately 4 million people are living with diabetes, spanning all age groups from young to elderly. Early intervention is crucial to reducing the impact of these diseases on the population.
