Researchers from Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, are testing the efficacy of a medicinal plant known as Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) for the use and cure of diabetes and malaria.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olukayode Amund, who disclosed this during a press conference to herald the 10th anniversary of the institution said researchers from the University have discovered the importance of the plants.
According to him, apart from the use of the plant to cure diabetes and malaria, the Mexican sunflower can also be used to boost animal feeds, especially cows and goats.
He said: “A lot of work has been done and a preliminary report was presented by the department where the research is domiciled.
“There is a plant that blossoms during the rainy season that brings out yellow flowers. It is called Mexican sunflower. The leaves are found to be medicinal and can be used to cure diabetes and malaria.
“It can also be used for animal feed to boost the nutritional status of cattle. Further tests are going on in the research.”
He however attributed the recent leap in the ranking ladder by the institution to the various relevant researches being conducted by the university researchers.
“Recently, Elizade University was ranked 24th University in Nigeria and 11th Private University in the country by the National Universities Commission. Earlier, the university had been ranked among the best 50 universities with quality scientific output in Nigeria by a Turkey-based international ranking organisation.
“The various relevant researches being conducted by the university has won her $100,000 grant awarded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the $12,000 research grant awarded by the International Foundation for Science (IFS) and the E31,000 GB Pounds awarded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, among others. Several other research grants won by the university since inception had been fully utilized.”
He disclosed that the 10th Anniversary Lecture, which was titled “Nigeria Beyond 2023: Reversing the Human Capital Paradox” would be delivered by the Serving Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the university’s event centre.
The university VC who maintained that his new vision for the university is to make it one of the best in the world in the next 10 years, said: “Elizade University has produced six sets of impactful graduates who are making waves in their respective disciplines.
” Of the 962 graduates so far produced by the university, 107 of them graduated with First Class Honours. Some of these exceptional alumni, who indicated an interest in making a career in the academic, have been engaged by the university.”
The Vice-chancellor said the institution has established a partnership with the foremost university across the globe for the training of students, saying the university has signed a good number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with some reputable institutions of higher learning across the world, including ORT Braude College of Engineering, Israel, for the enhancement of its engineering programmes.
“By this MoU, interested 300 level students of selected engineering programmes in Elizade University visited the Israeli University for one semester under the Erasmus in the engineering programme, to undergo an intensive teaching and practical training in some pre-determined engineering topics.
He disclosed that the programmes commenced before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, was suspended due to the global health crisis.
“Arrangements are being made to resuscitate the programme and the host of others, which were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic once there is an improvement in the pandemic situation,” Olukayode added.
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