Chioma Obinna
2 December 2008
Apparently to ensure effective application of the new Coroner's Law in Lagos State, a team of forensic experts from Nebraska Institute of Forensic Science arrived Lagos last week to introduce a new course in forensic science and forensic medicine at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). The course, which formally kicked off last week would run for the next three years.
The foreign experts, led by Dr. Mathias Okoye said the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences is collaborating with LASUCOM in this sphere and would be providing forensic experts who will give lectures to both resident doctors and undergraduate students of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in order to foster our relations.
Already, the institution has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2006 to collaborate in these spheres. Okoye further explained that Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences and LASUCOM would work together through out the three year period to ensure a better understanding of forensic science.
"This is going to be beneficial to LASUCOM, Lagos State and Nigeria because it is a transfer of education and technology." He described the programme as a premier work in the area of forensic sciences, which had never been done before in Africa.
With funding, which had just been released from the United States Institute of Justice and grants raised by the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, some of the LASUCOM students will benefit from an exchange programme under the scheme.
After spending 18 months in LASUCOM, the students will proceed to Nebraska on a six-month exchange programme.
Justifying the programme, Okoye said, "Nigeria needs to have forensic scientists, forensic pathologists and forensic specialists."
Also speaking, Provost of LASUCOM, Prof. John Obafunwa noted that the visit of the forensic expert is an attempt to actualise local training and research.
He said the purpose of the MoU was for the foreign institution to train LASUCOM students and resident doctors in forensic sciences and forensic pathology. "They are here to kick-off the programme, in addition to fostering collaboration between the two institutions."
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