page 38
The
Special Edition
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Olukoya,
First Nigerian Scientist to Clone Genes - VP Yemi Osinbajo Back home in Nigeria, as a researcher at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos, Olukoya made landmark contributions to biotechnology and health. One of these was the invention of a new type of Ogi (Pap) named DOGIK, that can control diarrhea and also contains improved nutritional qualities. Also, he is credited with being the first scientist to establish an indigenous laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Nigeria, and the first to clone genes
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He was also the first Nigerian to bag a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom
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or the General Overseer of the MFM, distinguishing himself in any and every endeavour he sets his hands on may not merely be an expression of character and talent, but a biological trait, seated deep in his genes! Before making the phenomenal success of his evangelistic ministry, Dr. Olukoya had, had an excellent career as an academic and scientist with a streak of firsts and groundbreaking successes. He left a record as the first graduate to make First Class in UNILAG's Microbiology Department since the university came on stream in 1962, a feat which confirmed that the brilliance he had shown early in his educational career peaking with a Grade One pass at the secondary school certificate level was no fluke! He was also the first Nigerian to bag a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, a programme he finished in record time under a Commonwealth scholarship, in spite of the difficulty of the subject.
in the country. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while paying tributes to the preeminence and achievements of his alma mater, the University of Lagos, Akoka, listed Dr. Olukoya among the prides of the great institution, who have made it a foremost university. His words: "I want to say that UNILAG has proved time and time again to be not just a university. "So many firsts in different areas. Just reading about Dr. Olukoya. He was the first to clone genes. Hardly anyone would know that the Pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries was also the first to clone genes. That is an absolutely o u t s t a n d i n g t h i n g , " t h e Vi c e President said at a public function. Before quitting the intellectual community, Dr. Olukoya had logged in no fewer than 80 scientific publications and mentored several other scientists and medical scholars, 30 of whom earned their PhD under his supervision, and are all currently doing well in their chosen fields.
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