The administration of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) announced on Monday that the university has initiated the production of plant-based pharmaceutical products.

Professor Smaranda Olarinde, the Vice Chancellor, made this announcement while speaking to reporters in anticipation of the upcoming 12th convocation ceremonies and the 15th anniversary of the university, scheduled for Monday, October 21.

Mrs. Olarinde highlighted that the university has successfully developed three locally produced drugs: Virucidine (an immune-boosting syrup), Natucadine (an anti-aging herbal supplement), and AB-Mal (an anti-malaria capsule).

She emphasized that the effectiveness of these drugs has been validated through testing, yielding excellent results, and she expressed a desire for partnerships to aid in the promotion and distribution of these products.

She stated, “We established the Bogo Research Centre for drug manufacturing. To date, we have created three products: Virucidine, Natucadine, and AB-Mal. All three are natural and plant-based, free from chemical additives.

“We are seeking partnerships for the promotion and sale of these medications.

“This will require increased collaboration in research. We invite individuals and organizations to help introduce our pharmaceutical products to a broader audience by finding partners to promote them.”

In terms of stewardship, the Vice-Chancellor noted that ABUAD continues to excel as a leading institution for quality university education, mentioning that the university’s multi-system hospital has successfully completed 18 kidney transplant surgeries with a 100 percent success rate.

Regarding the convocation ceremony, Mrs. Olarinde announced that a total of 1,662 graduates will be honored, including 177 from the postgraduate college, 161 medical students, and 22 from the ABUAD Business School.

The Vice Chancellor announced that 226 students will graduate with First Class honors, while 693 students achieved Second Class Upper Division, and 350 students received Second Class Lower Division.

Recognition for Fagbemi

Additionally, the Vice Chancellor stated that honorary doctorate degrees will be awarded to Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; Tunde Bakare, the Founder of the Citadel Global Community Church; and Damian Dodo, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in recognition of their significant contributions to society.

Mrs. Smaranda emphasized that these distinguished individuals were selected through a meticulous and merit-based process, adhering to the guidelines established in the 2012 Keffi Declaration.

The Keffi Declaration, as mentioned by the Vice Chancellor, outlines the principles set forth by the committee of vice-chancellors from Nigerian universities and other stakeholders regarding the criteria for awarding honorary degrees by higher education institutions.

This decision was made in response to the widespread and indiscriminate granting of honorary degrees by certain institutions, a trend that many believe has undermined the integrity of the university system in the country.