Civic engagement
Biochemistry lecturer takes diabetes message to Nigeria
By Lee Pinkerton
A biochemistry lecturer from the University of East London (UEL) travelled to Nigeria this summer to lead a project that raises awareness about diabetes.
Obesity and diabetes are increasing globally, and particularly in developing countries. It has been predicted that by 2030, 76 per cent of the 150 million-plus people suffering from diabetes across the world will be living in developing countries such as Nigeria.
However, Nigeria lacks a coherent policy on the management and awareness of the disease, and prevention is generally poor.
To address the problem, Dr Opeolu Ojo was funded by UEL to visit the country to promote awareness of the disease and to collect data from rural communities.
The health promotion project – entitled ‘You Are What You Eat’ – was carried out in partnership with the Bioscience Research, Education and Advisory Centre (BREAC) and the Aisha Memorial Hospital in Nigeria.
Dr Ojo, who is originally from Nigeria, said, “The western lifestyle is creeping in here. All of the fast-food outlets that we have in London, you see them everywhere here.
“Before, people in Nigeria would cultivate their own farms, grow their own food and eat their own vegetables. But want happens now is people go to these big shops and they think they are living the good life, but they are actually eating junk. We don’t eat correct food any longer. Dr Ojo added that lifestyle was also contributing to the problem.
“Technology is not helping us,” he said. “When I was a child growing up in Nigeria, after we came home from school we would remove our school uniform and go outside and play football with our friends.
“But now our children are playing games on their phones. But this is not just a problem of the young – it cuts across all age groups.”
During his visit, Dr Ojo helped organise a five-day training workshop on the application of biotechnology to medicinal plant research in partnership with BREAC and Obafemi Awolowo University.
The workshop was attended by around 80 scientists and lecturers selected from universities across Nigeria, underlining UEL’s commitment to contribute to the development of science education and research in Nigeria.
Dr Ojo’s health promotion message also reached more than 500,000 residents of Ilorin and Ibarapa districts, providing essential information about the development, treatment and prevention of diabetes.
“People don’t die from diabetes any longer – they die from ignorance,” said Dr Ojo. “There is no cure for diabetes, but if you know what to do you can change your lifestyle. Even if you have it, If you know what to eat and get plenty of exercise then you can live a good life.”
Further details of the projects is available on the BREAC website.
A biochemistry lecturer from the University of East London (UEL) travelled to Nigeria this summer to lead a project that raises awareness about diabetes.
Obesity and diabetes are increasing globally, and particularly in developing countries. It has been predicted that by 2030, 76 per cent of the 150 million-plus people suffering from diabetes across the world will be living in developing countries such as Nigeria.
However, Nigeria lacks a coherent policy on the management and awareness of the disease, and prevention is generally poor.
To address the problem, Dr Opeolu Ojo was funded by UEL to visit the country to promote awareness of the disease and to collect data from rural communities.
The health promotion project – entitled ‘You Are What You Eat’ – was carried out in partnership with the Bioscience Research, Education and Advisory Centre (BREAC) and the Aisha Memorial Hospital in Nigeria.
Dr Ojo, who is originally from Nigeria, said, “The western lifestyle is creeping in here. All of the fast-food outlets that we have in London, you see them everywhere here.
“Before, people in Nigeria would cultivate their own farms, grow their own food and eat their own vegetables. But want happens now is people go to these big shops and they think they are living the good life, but they are actually eating junk. We don’t eat correct food any longer. Dr Ojo added that lifestyle was also contributing to the problem.
“Technology is not helping us,” he said. “When I was a child growing up in Nigeria, after we came home from school we would remove our school uniform and go outside and play football with our friends.
“But now our children are playing games on their phones. But this is not just a problem of the young – it cuts across all age groups.”
During his visit, Dr Ojo helped organise a five-day training workshop on the application of biotechnology to medicinal plant research in partnership with BREAC and Obafemi Awolowo University.
The workshop was attended by around 80 scientists and lecturers selected from universities across Nigeria, underlining UEL’s commitment to contribute to the development of science education and research in Nigeria.
Dr Ojo’s health promotion message also reached more than 500,000 residents of Ilorin and Ibarapa districts, providing essential information about the development, treatment and prevention of diabetes.
“People don’t die from diabetes any longer – they die from ignorance,” said Dr Ojo. “There is no cure for diabetes, but if you know what to do you can change your lifestyle. Even if you have it, If you know what to eat and get plenty of exercise then you can live a good life.”
Further details of the projects is available on the BREAC website.