UNIBEN Named Research, Reproductive Health Centre in West Africa

Universities across the West African sub-region has pledged their support for the University of Benin (UNIBEN), as the institution was named as a World Bank Centre for Research and Reproductive Health Initiative (CERHI).

The universities made the pledge at the implementation planning workshop organised to deliberate on ways to implement the World Bank-assisted programme aimed at making the institution a training hub for the next generation of leaders in reproductive health centre for safe motherhood, family planning information and services, adolescent reproductive health prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction. Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. John Okhuoya, Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Osayuiki Oshodin said that the grant would strengthen research in reproductive health in the West African sub-region.

He added that it took painstaking efforts of the senior staff members of the university and the University Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for it to be selected as the centre. He added that UNIBEN is expected to partner seven universities across West Africa including the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ghana, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah and University of Technology, Ghana in carrying out research and training of manpower.

Also speaking, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole pledged the support of the university to the programme, noting that with a good policy framework the project would be successful. Representative of the National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Eugene Okpere promised that NUC would support the commencement of the centre. He challenged the University of Benin and other partnering institutions to impact in the nation's health sector.