The newly-appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. John Obafunwa, assured Nigerians on Friday of his commitment to advancing the institute.
During the official handover ceremony organized by his predecessor, Prof. Babatunde Salako, whose tenure concluded on July 23, Obafunwa pledged not to disappoint Nigerians.
The new director-general expressed his dedication to enhancing the institute’s capacity and his eagerness to collaborate with all staff members to improve the country’s health indices.
Obafunwa, a former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Ojo, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new director-general of NIMR on July 22, 2024.
“I won’t disappoint Nigerians and the entire staff of NIMR. Just give me a chance for us to work together as a team for the progress of the institute,” Obafunwa stated.
“I don’t have any intention to re-invent the wheel. All I will do is build on the good foundation already laid by my predecessor.
“I love diligence and hard work, and I have been informed by Prof. Salako that you are all hardworking. As a team, we will achieve a lot together,” he added.
Earlier, the former Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Salako, urged the staff to fully support Obafunwa.Salako highlighted that Obafunwa already had the nation’s mandate to enhance the institute’s productivity through innovative research and discoveries.
He said, “The new D-G is well experienced in administration.“I would like to hear that NIMR is better than when Salako was there because it will not be a compliment for me to hear that since Salako left, the place has gone down.“It means we did not put down a solid structure that he can build on.“I am soliciting your unwavering support for your D-G.”
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