THE much talked about nexus between the community (town) and the ivory tower (gown) was recently given a remarkable impetus by a 300 Level Student in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Mr. Emmanuel Adegbite, who wrote a thoroughly well researched scientific paper on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that recently ravaged the country.
Titled “Therapeutic Measures against the Current Virulent Endemicity of Ebola Virus”, the paper was published by the Nigerian-based international Science Journal Publication in the October edition of the Science Journal of Medicine and Clinical Trials.
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It is trite to say that the third outbreak of EVD which started in December 2013 in Guinea and got imported into the Nigeria by Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian, sent shivers down the spine of the Federal Government and created palpable fear in the hearts of many.But good enough, the Federal Government rose to the occasion by commendably going into action to contain it and in good time too for which it earned world acclaim from the World Health organization (WHO).
But while all these were going on, Adegbite was looking for a way of affecting his immediate environment and imparting his larger global community. He was angling for a solution to the deadly disease in tandem with the whole essence of the university culture which is learning, research and imparting the community/environment. In the introduction to his paper which is divided into 14 different parts, Adegbite bemoaned the seemingly helplessness EVD has foisted on the West African sub-region when he said “In the light of recent events surrounding thebioterrorism facing several West African countriesincluding Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and nowspreading to Nigeria, my country, I have developed asuggestive and an insightful quest into answering theinsuperable challenge posed to us by the ravaging Ebolahemorrhagic viral disease”.
He added: “I got livid by the way Africans seem helpless and are nowturning to entreat the United States to salvage thesituation which started in December 2013 in Guinea andhas continued to spread for several months in whichthousands have been infected and hundreds have died.
“I hereby write to give my own little contribution on thepossible ways out of our current predicament.Nevertheless, the role of developed countries insalvaging the situation cannot be overemphasized inputting an end to this seeming threat to humanity.Collective efforts are needed in providing funds to theaffected countries in order to put stringent measures inplace in curbing the spread”. By way of definition, Adegbite defined Ebola virus disease (EVD) as a severe viral disease(which is often fatal) that affects mammals, includinghumans. According to Baltimore classification system ofviruses which is based on the mode of replication andgenome type, Ebola virus can be placed in group 5together with the negative-sense single-stranded RNAviruses. After delving into such areas as an overview of Ebola Hemorrhagic Viral disease, incubation period, mode of transmission (including transmission through aerosolized droppings), reservoir, cycle of events inside human host, chemical manifestation, protective guidelines that should be strictly observed, developing the vaccines, symptomatic treatment and processes involved in the isolation of Ebola virus as well as pasteurization, Adegbite concluded by enjoining Scientists all overthe world, most especially Africa Scientists who seem not to be doing enoughfor humanity to join others in the concerted efforts to finding a lasting solution to theperilous viral diseases affecting mankind, animals and even plants. This, according to him is much more needed at this time ofendemicity of Ebola Virus Disease because of the impact ithas conferred on economy of the nations, discrimination against affected persons and the fear of eating bush meats byAfricans who are used to hunting them for food; shaking ofhands, the loss of loved-ones to the dreaded virusand most importantly the fear of saving people dying ofother ailments not related to Ebola across the regionsaffected.
It would appear that Adegbite’s efforts have started being rewarded for his efforts as a Johns Hopkins, United States-trained Nigerian Consultant in Public Health, Dr. KatteyKattey, has commended the scientific rave of the moment for his bright and brilliant exploits in Public Health through his article.
In a short mail Katteysent to the stunning young scientist on his stupendous achievement, he (Kattey) said:“Hello Emmanuel, your publication is very good. I think you really did a good job. My comments are as follows: This is a good piece by a Nigerian medic. It shows that the future of Nigeria is very bright with brilliant scientists doing exploits in the field of public health. He has put in a lot into this work and I believe this article will be cited in subsequent researches aimed at controlling Ebola. “Building on Adegbite’s work can even lead to getting a cure for the Ebola virus.
“Yes, it’s time we learn to do ground-breaking researches and help ourselves rather than completely depending on researchers from the western world.” Also, in appreciation of this achievement, the World Changers International (WCI) Organization has nominated Adegbite for the 2014 Leadership Award of Excellence in Scientific Research. He will be joined by other World changers like the CEO of Easy Taxi, Mr. Bankole Cardoso, who won the Leadership Excellence Award in Entrepreneurship, the President of Lagos State University (LASU) Students’ Union, Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf (Youth Advocacy), CEO, Fresh Clothing, Yinka Fresh (Fashion) InnocentIdibia (2Face) (Music), the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh (Humanitarian), the Publisher of LindaIkeji.blocspot.com, Linda Ikeji (Media) and Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture, Dr. AkinwunmiAdesina (Agriculture) as well as Lagos State Governor, Mr. BabatundeRajiFashola, SAN (Politics) for the Award ceremony at Planet One, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, December 19, 2014. •Olofintila wrote from Ado-Ekiti. For more details about Adegbite’s paper, pls visit:abuadstudent.blogspot.com
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