Sections and Units

IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE RESEARCH SECTION

The Section was created by the National Coordinator in March 2023. As the name implies, Implementation Research is a systematic and scientific study that supports the application of research findings into policy and practice for the well-being of the general public.  Informing stakeholders and using information to guide decision making are critical to successful implementation.  The Section is  is headed by Ochu Josephine Chiogo  (PhD).

The unit is mandated to carry out the following functions:

• Collation of annual work plan from different sections and submission to the National Coordinator for prioritization based on available funds
• Collation of the Centre’s research reports and submission to the National Coordinator
• Providing feedback and dissemination of research findings to relevant stakeholders
• Publishing of research findings in reputable journals and upload of such findings to NAVRC website for public view.
• Developing strategies for intervention against arboviral disease outbreaks and evaluating the impact of the intervention
• Documentation and archiving of reports of research findings.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the National Coordinator.

 HEAD OF SECTION:

Dr. (Mrs) Josephine Chiogo Ochu is currently an Assistant Director and the head of the section. She was the pioneer Head of Molecular Biology Section of the Centre from 2017 to 2021 and laid the foundation on the molecular activities being carried out in the section.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Sc. & M. Sc. (Microbiology)
• PhD (Pest Management)

PHYTOCHEMISTRY SECTION            

The strategic thrust / mandate of the Phytochemistry Unit NAVRC, is to screen Nigerian plants and determine their pesticidal properties. The unit is headed by Mr. Uka Job

Insecticide resistance is increasingly becoming a problem for many vector control programs. Resistance may develop due to changes in the mosquitoes’ enzyme systems, resulting in more rapid detoxification or sequestration of the insecticide, or due to mutations in the target site preventing the insecticide-target interaction. The frequent use of chemical insecticides to manage insect pests leads to a destabilization of the ecosystem and enhanced resistance to insecticides in pests. To alleviate these problems, the unit is currently researching on the use of natural plant based products as larvicides which can be a safe alternative to synthetic insecticides, and have also been able to successfully conclude some of this research. Biologically active plant extracts have been well documented for evolving an ecologically sound and environmentally accepted mosquito control program. These provide an alternative to synthetic pesticides because of their generally low environmental pollution, low toxicity to humans, and other advantages. In addition, increasing documentation of negative environmental and health impact of synthetic insecticides and increasingly stringent environmental regulation of pesticides have resulted in renewed interest in the development and use of botanical insect management products for controlling mosquitoes and other insect pests. A number of such plant products have been used for insect control for a long time now.

The Unit has been able to conduct the following researches;

• Extraction of the active principles from plant: such as neem, moringa, orange, scent leaf, paw-paw, bitter cola, kola nut, bush mint, lemon grass, goat weed, guava etc as well as larvicidal and adulticidal properties against mosquitoes.
• Determination of the efficacy of orange peel oil against Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Establishment of repellency property of scent leaf against mosquitoes.
• Investigation of vitamin concentration and chemical composition of lemon and guava plant.

We render the following services;

• Quantitative and Qualitative Chemical Analysis,
• Extraction of active principles from plant using different phytochemical and analytical methods, Oil characterization
• Purification and characterization of bioactive compounds,
• Water, soil and crop analysis; environmental impact assessment and quality control.

The Unit also has various equipment to help them carry out their tasks namely; Gas chromatograph (GC), UV – VISIBLE spectrophotometer, infrared spectrophotometer, quick moisture analyzer, flame photometre, rotary evaporator, soxhlet apparatus, de ionizer, sterilizer, water bath, water distiller, shaker, thin layer chromatography, visible spectrophotometer, Clevenger, refractometre, etc.

ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION

Etukokwu, Chineze Theresa, (PhD), was appointed substantive head of  Administration in October 2017. She holds a B.Sc. Economics and M.Sc. International Business, HRM & Marketing. The section carries out a wide range of personnel functions, implementation of management policies and coordinates the activities of the Centre. The Section was one of the first sections created in the Centre, to duly document and deal with the many administrative duties of the Centre. Over the years, the Section has been improved and many more responsibilities added to it. The Section is broken down into Appointment, Promotion and Discipline (APD) Unit and the Library/Registry Unit.

                                                                                                                                              Etukokwu Chineze (PhD)

Appointment Promotion & Discipline (APD) Unit                     

The appointment, promotion and discipline (APD) unit of the Section is headed by Mr. Orji Kenneth and it handles the general administrative duties of the section as follows:

• In charge of appointment and documentation of new staff members
• In charge of leave
• Handles general correspondences to the Centre
• Preparation of
• See to the Discipline of Staff
• In charge of nominal roll
• Preparation of manpower budget
• Preparation of Variation advice for promotion of staff; and
• Any other duty that may be assigned to the unit by management

Library and Registry Unit

From inception, the desire to have a functional library as a research-based centre to sharpen the academic abilities of the researchers became obvious. This was demonstrated by designating one of the offices as library.

The Library even though it still exists in the same office accommodation has been tastefully renovated giving it a facelift.

The Library has since then improved to house over 600 books, serials and journals cutting across many disciplines which have in no small measure facilitated research activities of the Centre and also attracted students and the academia for various research activities.

The registry on the other hand is tasked with the duties of:

• Proper filing of documents;
• Safe keeping of files;
• Regular organising of files in the Registry;
• Update of personnel records; and
• Any other registry related

The Library is headed by Mrs. Irole Nnenna, while the Officer in Charge of Registry is Mrs. Amadi Felicia.

Emmanuel Ogudu  is the Head Molecular Biology Section of the Centre. He holds B.MLS, M. MLS (Virology Option) and a PhD Medical Virology (in view) from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Ogudu is a Molecular Laboratory Scientist with many years of experience in vector assay.

The section consists of the Laboratory Services and the Equipment/Commodity units headed by Mr. Emma Ogudu and Mrs. Edith Ibe respectively.

Functions of the Section

• Analyzing field collected vectors using RT- PCR for viral pathogens that could lead to viral disease outbreaks
• Identification of vectors of pathogens to the species level using PCR technologies
• Carrying out serological assays using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques
• Training of middle level manpower in molecular biology and ELISA techniques

Staff  of  the  section  have  considerable  expertise  in  molecular  biology  and  ELISA  techniques which includes:

• DNA and RNA extraction
• Molecular detection of viruses (Zika, Chikungunya and dengue 1-4) using realtime PCR
• Multiplex PCR for speciation of Anopheles gambiae complex
• Determination of Anopheles gambiae molecular forms using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
• Molecular detection of Plasmodium falciparum in Anopheles mosquitoes
• Molecular detection of knock down resistance (kdr) gene in mosquitoes
• PCR gel preparation
• Loading of samples and running gel electrophoresis
• Gel staining and capturing
• Detection of Hepatitis B virus using ELISA technique
• Interpretation of results

Mr. Festus Dogunro holds a B.Sc and M.Sc in zoology. The section is mainly concerned with: conducting field disease vector surveillance and control throughout Nigeria; studying the ecology, bionomics, distribution and seasonal variation of disease vectors, especially arbovirus vectors; identifying and incriminating principal arbovirus and other disease vectors in Nigeria; training middle level manpower in field and laboratory entomology techniques  and conducting bioassay on disease vectors. It has a functional laboratory and an insectary where some of the processes listed above are undertaken. Other activity in the section includes training and provision of assistance to undergraduate and postgraduate students engaged in research projects. The section also conducts trainings for independent researchers on basic entomological and parasitological approaches. The Section has two units the Entomology unit headed by Mr. Udoka Nwangwu and the Routine surveillance unit headed by Mr. Cosmas Onwude

General Activities of the Section

• Entomological Surveillance,
• Data generation and information sharing on Aedes surveillance in Nigeria,
• Insecticide resistance monitoring in Anopheles in Nigeria

ENTOMOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE

This is carried out to obtain data on vector species and abundance, distribution, bionomics and susceptibility/resistance to known insecticides for vector control. This information is useful for the monitoring of vectors and their roles in disease transmission. It also helps in developing control measures against the vector.

Disease Vector Surveillance officers carrying out Larval sampling in a pool

                                        Larval sampling in progress

Laboratory activities

• Mosquito Identification
• Dissection of abdominal region of a mosquito:
• Dissection and isolation of salivary glands
• Insecticide susceptibility determination
• Cone bioassay
• Incrimination of vectors

Field technique and other activities

• Advocacy
• House Selection
• Ovitrap setting for eggs collection
• Light Trapping for adults collection
• Pyrethrum Spray Catch Collection for adult indoor resting
• Larval Sampling for aquatic stage collection
• Exit trapping for light seeking adult mosquitoes collection
• Human Bait Collection (HBC) for host seeking vectors
• Gravid adult trap setting for collection of gravid mosquitoes
• Biogents sentinel trap setting for host seeking vectors

Mrs. Amaka Udengwu, Head of  Accounts and Stores

The Account and Stores section is headed by Mrs. Udengwu Amaka and it consists of the Accounts and Stores Unit.

Accounts Unit

This Unit engages in the business of receipt and disbursement of payments on behalf of the NAVRC in line with extant financial regulation, and directives of the Accountant General of the Federation.It is also responsible for preparation of Annual Budget, Financial Returns on Expenditure, receipt and remittance of revenue accruing to the Federal Government. In addition it interphases between the centre and IPPIS to facilitate prompt and seamless payment of staff salaries, allowances and arrears of promotion.

               Stores Unit

This unit is headed by Mrs Igbokwe N ensures proper administration of the stores of the organization by maintaining a proper and up to date inventory of stocks and ensure the implementation of an effective and efficient inventory management system.

The General Services  Section is headed by, Mr. Chima Kenneth. The Section oversees the general maintenance of the Centre, its premises and security. They also supervises the activities of the drivers and functionality of  public utilities within the Centre. The section consists of two units; Plants and Public utility Infrastructure/Transport

Plants and Public Utility Unit

Mr. Chima Kenneth is in charge of this Unit. The Unit oversees the maintenance of Generators, control of consumption of electricity, water facilities and any other duties assigned by management.

Infrastructure/Transport Unit

The infrastructure/Transport Unit which is a sub-section of the Section takes care of the maintenance of vehicles, office equipment, building and its environment. They also coordinate the drivers, security personnel, gardeners and cleaners.

ADVOCACY COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MOBILIZATION (ACSM), UNIT

The Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM), is a Unit under the office of the National Coordinator. The Unit was created to foster relationship between the Centre and the Public. The Unit is headed by Mrs. Ijeoma Nwodo.

The ACSM Unit oversees:

• Planning and Organizing Advocacy programs for the Centre;
• oversees Advocacy visits;
• Overseeing and Implementation of Advocacy programs of the Centre;
• Organises media outreaches and other public awareness creation programs for the Centre;
• Manages the Center’s website and social media handles;
• Writes reports and articles for publication in media outlets;
• Builds and maintain effective relationship between the Centre and her internal and external public;
• Any other duty as may be assigned.

Dogunro, Festus holds a B.Sc and M.Sc in Medical Parasitology. The section is mainly concerned with: conducting field disease vector surveillance and control throughout Nigeria; studying the ecology, bionomics, distribution and seasonal variation of disease vectors, especially arbovirus vectors; identifying and incriminating principal arbovirus and other disease vectors in Nigeria; training middle level manpower in field and laboratory entomology techniques  and conducting bioassay on disease vectors. It has a functional laboratory and an insectary where some of the processes listed above are undertaken. Other activity in the section includes training and provision of assistance to undergraduate and postgraduate students engaged in research projects. The section also conducts trainings for independent researchers on basic entomological and parasitological approaches. The Section has two units the Entomology unit headed by Mr. Udoka Nwangwu and the Routine surveillance unit headed by Mr. Cosmas Onwude

General Activities of the Section

• Entomological Surveillance,
• Data generation and information sharing on Aedes surveillance in Nigeria,
• Insecticide resistance monitoring in Anopheles in Nigeria

ENTOMOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE

This is carried out to obtain data on vector species and abundance, distribution, bionomics and susceptibility/resistance to known insecticides for vector control. This information is useful for the monitoring of vectors and their roles in disease transmission. It also helps in developing control measures against the vector.

Laboratory activities

• Mosquito Identification
• Dissection of abdominal region of a mosquito:
• Dissection and isolation of salivary glands
• Insecticide susceptibility determination
• Cone bioassay
• Incrimination of vectors

Field technique and other activities

• Advocacy
• House Selection
• Ovitrap setting for eggs collection
• Light Trapping for adults collection
• Pyrethrum Spray Catch Collection for adult indoor resting
• Larval Sampling for aquatic stage collection
• Exit trapping for light seeking adult mosquitoes collection
• Human Bait Collection (HBC) for host seeking vectors
• Gravid adult trap setting for collection of gravid mosquitoes
• Biogents sentinel trap setting for host seeking vectors

Mrs. Amaka Udengwu, Head of Accounts and Stores

The Account and Stores section is headed by Mrs. Udengwu Amaka and it consists of the Accounts and Stores Unit.

Accounts Unit

This Unit engages in the business of receipt and disbursement of payments on behalf of the NAVRC in line with extant financial regulation, and directives of the Accountant General of the Federation.It is also responsible for preparation of Annual Budget, Financial Returns on Expenditure, receipt and remittance of revenue accruing to the Federal Government. In addition it interphases between the centre and IPPIS to facilitate prompt and seamless payment of staff salaries, allowances and arrears of promotion.

Stores Unit

This unit is headed by Mrs Igbokwe Nkechi ensures proper administration of the stores of the organization by maintaining a proper and up to date inventory of stocks and ensure the implementation of an effective and efficient inventory management system.