By Thelma Ekanem
The Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication – Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE) and the Prostate Cancer Trans-Atlantic Consortium (CaPTC) at Covenant University recently hosted a delegation from the Mayo Clinic, USA, led by Professor Folakemi Odedina. The delegation visited the Institution alongside five senior officers to strengthen ongoing collaborations in cancer research.
Welcoming the guests, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, described the partnership as one that has grown steadily over the years and has continued in the Institution through successive administrations. He noted that Professor Odedina’s long-standing relationship with Covenant University has greatly enhanced the institution’s visibility in prostate cancer research and related studies.
According to Professor Anake, this partnership was instrumental in Covenant University attaining its Centre of Excellence – CApIC-ACE, a recognition that has attracted numerous international grants and accolades for the University. He further expressed excitement at the new opportunities the collaboration offers, particularly in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into ongoing studies. He emphasised that this innovative approach has the potential to accelerate research breakthroughs and deliver solutions to diseases such as malaria and cancer, which continue to disproportionately affect Africa.
Professor Solomon Rotimi, the Applied Research Coordinator (CApIC-ACE) and the African PI for CaPTC, lauded Professor Odedina’s invaluable role in laying a strong foundation for Cancer Research in the Centres. He highlighted how her work at Mayo Clinic continues to shape and enrich research efforts at Covenant University. Similarly, Professor Olubanke Ogunlana, the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer (CApIC-ACE), commended her consistent support, recalling how she facilitated visits by former University leaders to Florida State University, which helped strengthen the cancer research base of the institution.
In her remarks, Professor Odedina expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception she always enjoyed at Covenant University. She reiterated her commitment to advancing the partnership, particularly by fostering the adoption of AI-driven solutions in research. She also encouraged the Centre Leader of CApIC-ACE, Professor Emeka Iweala, the teams at CApIC-ACE and CaPTC, to sustain their momentum and keep raising the University’s profile on the global stage.
The visit, she noted, was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship while exploring fresh areas of collaboration to drive impactful research and foster the Sustainable Development Goals on Good health and well-being (SDG 3), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), as well as Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
Also present at the meeting were the Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Igba; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lanre Amodu; and other members of the University Management Team.
