Create Enabling Environment For Innovative Discoveries-Don Charges Nigerians

A Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics, Prof Oluyinka Olutoye of Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, USA, has charged Nigerians to create enabling environment for innovative discovery.

The guest speaker Prof Olayinka Olutoye who led 21 US doctors in ” baby born twice surgery” in USA gave the charge at Ile-Ife during the 11th Annual Prof T.A.I. Grillo’s Memorial Lecture organised by College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Speaking on the topic:  “Progress Through Innovation & Discovery: Advances in Surgery Before Birth” Olutoye called for concerted effort to identify problems and find enduring solutions to such problems rather than unfruitful lamentation over unresolved problems.

“In Nigerian, we are very good at identifying problems, we can expound on the merits and demerits of solutions others may offer, but we need to do better at actually solving the problems.

“We cannot wait on others to proffer solutions to our own problems and challenges, not someone else, not even government” he suggested.

He appealed to institutions of higher learning to make a way forward by  create an environment of transparency, accountability and efficiency that would manage endowment and naming opportunities.

Olukoye who posited that no one person can solve all the problems of the world, however called on all and sundry to identify their own problems and come up with their own innovative solutions.

The surgeon cited OAU as a centre of excellence which has several innovation such as creation of the yam pounder, extraction of medicine for sickle cell disease among others.

He expressed further that Nigerians is rich in human resources, saying the proportion of extremely bright and talented individuals in any environment is the same.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof Eyitope Ogunnbodede, the Vice-Chancellor of the University noted that the programme is of key interest to the Institution, saying that the University is making progress and achievement daily.

He charged all to always see the positive side of the Institution and congratulated the guest speaker for his greater attainment and for being a good ambassador of the University.

Also, Prof Bernice Adegbehingbe the Dean of Faculty of Ophthalmology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, said that Prof Olutoye is a symbol of excellence that do them proud in Nigeria and globally.

Adegbehingbe charged all to be a solution to the problems in their reach and stop complaining so as to make brighter future.

Also, the Professor of ENT, Prof Yemisi Amusa, urged general public to support the innovation, identify the problems and use all! Skills and other resources to make a way out for the country.

Earlier, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof Kayode Ijadunola, lauded all his guests, appreciated the faculty for the annual programme.

He appealed to the friends of the college and University community to stand up to assist and support the college, so as to make the faculty to achieve more success.