Date: 2017-02-21

Nigerians are about to experience a positive change that will change the lives of everyone around. Some scientists at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) and Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti are working on producing some medicinal rice.

Scientists from University of Ilorin and Afe Babalola University team up to produce medicinal rice that will help fight cancer in Nigeria.

The improved rice variety that will be produced has medicinal potentials that will help fight cancer. The rate at which cancer is claiming the lives of people in the society is alarming; although medical doctors do all they can to help patients battling with cancer, some of them lose their lives to the deadly disease.

As soon as people get to know they are battling cancer, they feel like their lives are over as managing the disease is expensive and it requires people going through series of tests and treatments if it has not gotten to the advanced stage.

Rice is considered to be one of the staple foods in Nigeria; it is being eaten more than every other food in most homes. Apart from the fact that it is easy to prepare, the food is available all year round. This could very well be the reason why the food was chosen by the scientist for this very purpose.

The bulletin passed at the University of Ilorin on Monday, February 21, revealed that the decision of the two universities to come together was as a result of the memorandum of understanding that was signed on February 2.

It was also discovered that the project will be cost intensive as the project is estimated to cost about N50 million for the four-year period it will be run. The National Research Fund of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET-Fund) is expected to foot the bill of the project.

This project will improve the well-being of rice farmers and the overall health condition of consumers across the nation.

According to the bulletin, "The main research collaborators include Prof. Samuel Onasanya, Education Technology and Training Expert, University of Ilorin; Dr Michael Awolola, Industrial Chemist, University of Ilorin and Prof. Amos Onasanya, a Biochemist, Geneticist and Molecular Plant Pathologist.

"Others are ABUAD dons like Prof. Olarotimi Ojo, a Chemist, and Dr Phillip Okiki, an Animal Health Expert, among others,"

Prof Michael Ajisafe, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, reacted to this development by revealing that the memorandum of understanding with Unilorin was the 13th one the institution signed with bother universities.

He also stated his views about the project, "We are happy to partner with Unilorin, which is the most peaceful university in the country and we are sure that based on its antecedents, the partnership will work."

The deputy vice-chancellor for research, technology and innovations at the University of Ilorin also said the research collaboration is a good concept as the nation stands to gain a lot from it in addition to the development of the nation’s educational system.