Three - day training workshop on research ethics begins in ABU today

The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, today declared open a three-day training workshop on research ethics for staff of the institution. The main focus of the training is on how to review protocols and provide constructive feedbacks.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Danladi A. Ameh, the Vice-Chancellor enjoined all participants to equip themselves based on the role they were expected to play.

The Vice-Chancellor, who also urged the participants to harp on the impact of ethical issues in research, thanked the facilitators who came all the way from far places to facilitate the training even at this critical period.

The Ag. Chairman, ABU Ethical Committee, Prof. B.F. Okeshola, explained that the workshop was long overdue, saying that it could not take place much earlier due to the Corono Virus pandemic and the ASUU strikes.

She said that the current Committee on Use of Human Subjects for Research was reconstituted in 2019, and since then, this would be the first time the training would hold for the Committee. 

Prof. Okeshola further explained that when members of the Committee were trained and registered, the University would be allocated a unique identification number that is hosted on the website of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) as a mark of accreditation.

She said that this, if done, would attest not only to the validity of their endorsements in oversight of research activities in ABU, but would also amplify the research visibility of the University among its peers.

Earlier yesterday (Monday, 20th March, 2023), a team of the resource persons for the training workshop paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Danladi A. Ameh.

Prof. Kola Oyedeji, of University of Lagos (UNILAG) led two other members. They are Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, from Olabisi Onabajo University, Ago-Iwoye (OOUA), Ogun State, and a Desk Officer, National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC), Mr. Ado Danladi.

Prof. Ameh welcomed the team and reiterated the University Management’s commitment towards maintaining and protecting its image and academic standard.

He disclosed that the University through the Chairperson, ABU Ethical Committee on Human Subject for Research, Prof. Folashade Okeshola, of Sociology Department, ABU, Zaria, would assist the team and ensure that registration be conducted within the stipulated time.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor also said that Prof. Okeshola would work together with the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Bello Muktar, and let the management know where they need support.

Those present at the occasion included the Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila; Bursar, Malam M.B. Gurin represented by Deputy Bursar (Finance), Malam Shehu Garba; the Director, Directorate for Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Bello Muktar; Centre Leader, Africa Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Prof. Y.K.E. Ibrahim; and Deputy Director, Research and Innovation, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. J.J. Maina, among others. 

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Public Affairs Directorate,

Office of the Vice-Chancellor,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Tuesday, 21st March, 2023.