As part of its commitment to sustain the recognition of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development as a centre of excellence and the hub for research and development of phytomedicine in the West African sub region, the Federal government has approved additional N50 million annual subvention for the Institute.
The Director-General of the institute, Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, revealed this in Abuja when he was conferred with the title of the Grand Patron of the National Association of Nigerian Students and inducted as a member of the Hall of Fame of Nigerian Students.
Gamaliel noted that African Network for Drugs and Diagnostic Innovations has granted NIPRD $50,000 as part of its commitment by the World Health Organization to ensure that Africa is rid of most of the tropical diseases ravaging tropical countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by NIPRD and ANDI, the highest network organization in the area of drugs production in the African continent, specified areas of cooperation and how to get the products to the market.
ANDI, which is an initiation of WHO, recognizes five hub centres across the continent to enable WHO address African public health needs through efficient use of local knowledge, assembly of research networks and building of capacity to support economic development.
Gamaniel also disclosed at the event that NIPRD has signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology in Harare, Zimbabwe to exchange ideas and capacity building in phytomedicines while they are also working with the Nanotics Platform of Council for Scientific and industrial Research in South Africa.
Comrade Olu Jacob of NANS, while making the presentation, appreciated the contribution of NIPRD to the national health sector development and in the area of training of students in sciences.
Jacob said that the award is a catalyst for the NIPRD boss to do more.