Today, 8th May, 2025, Professor Daniel Oluwayelu of
the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
delivered the 579th inaugural lecture of the University of Ibadan. The lecture,
titled “Foray into the World of Viruses: The Steps of the Righteous are
Ordered,” was held at Trenchard Hall and had in attendance members of the
university community, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode
Adebowale, Deputy Vice-Chancellors for Administration, Academics, and Research
& Strategic Innovation, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Professor Olufunke Ola-Davies. Also in attendance were faculty
members, students, and other dignitaries, including renowned virologist
Professor Oyewale Tomori.
The lecture was the 47th from the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine and the first to be delivered from the Virology Unit. In his opening
remarks, Professor Oluwayelu expressed his gratitude to God for the opportunity
to deliver the lecture, referencing Psalm 37:23 to reflect on his personal and
academic journey. He also acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean for the
opportunity to present the lecture.
Professor Oluwayelu recounted his initial aspiration to
study Medicine but was advised by his uncle to pursue Veterinary Medicine
instead. He described his path through academia as one divinely ordained.
Highlighting his research contributions, Professor Oluwayelu
discussed his work on the isolation and molecular characterization of the
African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in West Africa. He also described his
discovery of Chicken Anaemia Virus (CAV) in the region, identifying it as an
important differential diagnosis to Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). He
was the first to achieve cell culture isolation of CAV in Nigeria, a
development that led to the inclusion of CAV studies in the veterinary curriculum
at the University of Ibadan, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,
and the University of Ilorin.
His doctoral research on CAV was recognised in 2006 by the
National Universities Commission (NUC) as the best PhD in Veterinary Medicine
in Nigeria. He also became the first to report the presence of two astroviruses
in indigenous chickens in the country.
The lecture addressed the growing risk of emerging viral
zoonoses, including Hepatitis E virus in pigs, Influenza A virus in dogs and
poultry, and various viruses transmitted by bats. He noted that fruit bats,
which often inhabit trees across the university campus, pose a potential threat
and called for improved disease surveillance, control strategies, and
awareness.
In his recommendations to university management, Professor
Oluwayelu called for timely replacement of academic staff lost to retirement or
death, improved surveillance of endemic and zoonotic diseases, and the need for
public health campaigns targeting pet owners and individuals at occupational
risk. He also pleaded for the provision of an incinerator to ensure the safe
disposal of animal carcasses used in research.
He bemoaned the emergence of a new “highly pathogenic virus”-
mediocrity, which has provided a breeding ground for nepotism and cronyism in
the university community, and gradually eroding the culture of excellence by
placing nepotism over merit. In his words “Let’s promote the virtue of hard-work
and shun mediocrity”.
In his closing acknowledgements, Professor Oluwayelu
expressed deep appreciation to his parents for instilling foundational values
in him, as well as to his mentors, colleagues, staff, and family members for
their support throughout his academic career.
Comments
Post a Comment