To say that the word ‘research’ is not synonymous with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai is to say the least, as another win has come to the University from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund National Research Fund (NRF) intervention.

The research grant which is to the tune of about Seventy Million Naira was won by three teams with Professors Musa Dickson Achimugu and Dadi-Mamud Naomi John and Dr. Yusuf Ishaq as Principal Researchers.

A letter from Tetfund addressed to the Vice Chancellor and signed by the Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny T. Echono indicated that the research project topics are, “Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Typhi and Their Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in North Central Nigeria”,(Twenty Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Five Naira), “Exploring Participatory Self-Help Intervention for Elimination of Open Defecation in Rural and Urban Communities of Northern Nigeria”(Twenty-Eight Million Naira), and “Forensic Re-evaluation of Petroleum System and Reservoir Geophysics through the Development of GIS and Seismic Technologies”(Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

The letter further indicated that the amount is One Hundred percent of the Total Intervention Cost (TIC) with a duration for execution which shall be twenty four months from the date of first tranche.

It said the grant is to enable the Institution and Researcher(s) contribute meaningfully to government’s desire in reviving and making research and development the launch pad for National Development.

It further disclosed that the grant was structured in such a way that Ninety Five percent of Total Intervention Cost(TIC) was for Project Execution (PE) which is payable directly into a dedicated Project account with the Principal Researcher (PR) and the Director of Research (DR). The Administrative Cost (AC)is for the University’s Research Implementation Secretariat.

Presenting the letters of award to the recipients on behalf of TETfund, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu, congratulated and commended the awardees on behalf of the Senate and Council for making the University proud, and hoped other researchers would emulate them.

He pointed out that it was a good thing that the grants total over Seventy Million Naira.

The Vice Chancellor said the feat is worth being celebrated considering the three won at defence, out of five, adding that the Management would ensure close monitoring of the research activities.

Professor Adamu maintained that it was proper for the researchers to try as much as they could to avoid anything that would smear the image of the University, stressing that the Principal Researchers must work deligently so that the Institution would move to more than the three acquired now.

While appreciating their efforts, he reminded them of the need to make the University, the State and their families proud, pointing out that he was confident the work would be done well.

Speaking, the Coordinating Director of Research and Development, Professor Nuhu George Obaje disclosed that the two earlier rejected during the defence was due to budgetary mix up and that these would be corrected and will be forwarded to TETFund.

He called for immediate meeting of the research teams where everyone is carried along, stressing that an inception workshop per research team will be organized

Professor Obaje who is also the Basinal Chair Professor of the NNPC said progress would be monitored, especially after the inception workshop.

In his contributions, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Paiko congratulated the researchers and advised that everybody’s role be spelt out to have a coordinated assignment.

Contributing, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki appreciated the researchers for a good standing so far, saying that the University has been very proactive in taking care of anomalies.

In their separate responses, the Principal Researchers, Professor Musa Dickson Achimugu, Professor Dadi- Mamud Naomi John and Dr. Yusuf Ishaq applauded the University Management for the support and understanding towards research activities in the Institution, affirming that the research workshops organised by University have helped in writing their research proposals.

They promised to come out with best results that would be of pride to the various departments.

In a vote of thanks, the Director Academic Planning, Dr. Mohammed Aliyu Bello appreciated both the University Management and the Researchers for making the Institution visible on the world map in terms of wonderful and result oriented researches.

He said at this point in time Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has come of age and left her peers lagging behind.