TETFund Grant: UNICROSS Research Team Targets Cholera, Malaria Solutions as VC Hails Landmark Achievement

 

The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has recorded another significant research milestone as three of its academics emerged successful in the latest Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) cycle through two separate research projects. Professors Emmanuel Uttah and George Iniodu of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology were named Principal Investigators on project number 66, while Engr. Professor Joseph Onah Ukpata of the Department of Civil Engineering is Co-Researcher on project number 107 led by a Principal Investigator based in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

While reacting to this positive development, Prof. George Iniodu described the grant as an opportunity for him to contribute to solving one of Nigeria's most serious public health challenges through innovative research.

He noted that Nigeria accounts for about 27 per cent of the global malaria burden, with nearly the entire population at risk of infection.

"My research is of public health concern, so it will benefit everyone. It is addressing one of the most devastating tropical diseases, malaria. Nigeria bears about 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and about 97 per cent of our population is at risk. An innovation that puts a clog in the wheels of effective malaria transmission would bring enormous benefits to Cross River State and Nigeria and can be scaled to benefit humanity, especially across the tropics," he said.

According to Prof. Iniodu, the research will not only improve health outcomes but also stimulate economic activities by creating a value chain that positively impacts local economies.

Prof. Emmanuel Uttah, who recently succeeded Engr. Prof. Joseph Ukpata as Director of Research and Development at UNICROSS, is the other Principal Investigator on the successful research project. His emergence as a Principal Investigator alongside Prof. Iniodu reflects his longstanding contributions to parasitology, environmental health and research development.

Speaking on the grant, Prof. Joseph Ukpata, who serves as Co-Researcher on a separate TETFund-funded project titled "Development of National Groundwater Risk Assessment Framework for Informed Public Health Policy Towards Ending Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Nigeria," said the research is expected to yield significant benefits for Nigeria, particularly for communities that are most vulnerable to recurrent cholera outbreaks.

According to him, the project seeks to improve groundwater sanitation and hygiene, thereby drastically reducing the transmission of waterborne diseases and contributing to the elimination of the thousands of cholera cases and deaths recorded annually in the country.

He explained that the impact would extend beyond public health by reducing the social stigma often associated with cholera outbreaks, promoting healthier community interactions and fostering peace and social stability.

Prof. Ukpata further stated that the economic benefits would be enormous, as lower healthcare costs and reduced absenteeism from schools and workplaces would improve productivity and contribute to national economic growth.

He also noted that the research would advance technological development by influencing the design and construction of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, groundwater systems and other innovations capable of strengthening Nigeria's water and sanitation infrastructure.

"The direct beneficiaries of this project will be Nigerians, especially those living in cholera hotspots, researchers, intervention agencies and policy makers responsible for environmental health, water resources, sanitation and public health," he said.

Speaking on what the award means for the University of Cross River State, Prof. Ukpata said the success would further elevate the institution's standing nationally.

"This achievement will bring national visibility and pride to UNICROSS. It will increase the respect the university enjoys among Nigerian universities and further enhance its credibility," he added.

Congratulating the researchers, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, described the teams' success as a remarkable achievement that reflects the quality of research being undertaken at UNICROSS.

She urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the TETFund grant translates into practical solutions capable of addressing pressing national challenges and improving the lives of Nigerians.

She said: "I assure you of Management's continuous support for research, innovation and staff development, which is one of the reasons we create an enabling workforce for scholars to compete and win national and international research grants."

The TETFUND NRF grant supports research projects that address national development challenges, including environmental sustainability, public health, and infrastructure development.

The latest TETFund success is another indication that under the visionary leadership of Prof. Francisca Bassey, UNICROSS has continued to strengthen its research culture, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and support academics in attracting competitive grants that address national development priorities.

It demonstrates that UNICROSS is not only producing outstanding scholars but also building collaborative research teams capable of delivering innovative solutions to critical health and environmental challenges facing Nigeria.

- UNICROSS Media Team