When I was contacted by Professor Ngozi Orazulike of University of Port Harcourt, to deliver the 2025 Nimi Dimkpa Briggs Legacy Lecture, I was pleasantly surprised, but began to wonder – why me? It was then I realized that I had known Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs since 1978, when I was a medical student and he was a Senior Lecturer/Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. I vividly recall that he was a fair, dutiful and dedicated clinician and teacher who devoted significant time his students.
Our paths crossed again when he was appointed Chairman of the National Hospital Abuja Management Board, while I was the second in command to the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olusegun Ajuwon. At the time, I served as the Director of Clinical Services / Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee. This period left me with strong and fond memories of Professor Briggs’ fairness, patience and exceptional abilities – qualities that extended well beyond his widely acknowledged expertise as a medical lecturer and Obstetrician-Gynaecologist.
As if I had any choice of saying no, I then received a call from my friend and brother, Professor John Ikimalo, who had, over many years, spoken well of his close relationship with and deep respect for Professor Briggs. We attended Professor Briggs’ internment together at Abenoma. May Professor Briggs soul rest in perfect peace.
When asked to choose a topic for this lecture, my mind immediately turned to longevity, not because Professor Briggs didn’t live long enough (he did, and we thank God for that), but because of the ongoing discussions surrounding supplements, disease prevention and other factors people consider for prolonging life. I wondered whether many truly understood the fundamentals of longevity.
Many people would expect that me, as Dr, Ibrahim Wada, that has been privileged to observe life from its very inception in a dish, through pregnancy, childbirth and the transition into terrestrial existence, would approach the topic of longevity differently.
I hope that both the people who listen to this lecture and the teaders of this text will appreciate my fresh perspective on life and that this will help them reflect on their own longevity, that of their progeny and the well-being of world around them.
In the words of Prof Joseph Ajienka, 7th Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Professor Emeritus Nimi Briggs was a wise man, an outstanding leader, distinguished scholar, great mentor and seasoned university administrator.
About Professor Nimi Briggs
By 10th April 2023, Professor Emeritus Nimi Dimkpa Tobin Briggs JP KSC, OON, MBBS (Lag); MD (Lag); FRCOG; FWACS; FICS; FMCOG (Nig); FIPS; FAS, FNAMed, DFMC; HLR; DSc; NINOM, long retired as a University Vice Chancellor had the following on-going responsibilities amongst others:
- (From 7th March 2022) Chairman, Federal Government / University
Unions Renegotiation Team. - Member of the Strategy Advisory Committee (STRADVCOM) of
the National Universities Commission - Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors (CPC) of Nigerian Federal Universities
- Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council. Alex Ekwueme Federal
- University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
- Pioneer Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Bayelsa University
of Medical Sciences and Member, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
Stated-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) - Chairman, Board of Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt.
- Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of
- Port Harcourt
- Chairman, Board of University of Port Harcourt Foundation.
- Director, Centre for Health and Development. University of Port
Harcourt
For more details about this enigma of a person, you are referred to:
https://kayhector.com/the-legacy-of-nimi-briggs
Introduction
Man must have arrived at the surface of the earth about 200,000 years ago at the end of the era of dinosaurs. It is said that since the entry of man, or even before then, no other species has affected Earth as much as man has done, especially in the exploitation of its resources and their quest for new knowledge. Above all this, the quest to stay as long as possible on Earth has been paramount. This is what longevity is all about. There has been dramatic expansion in healthcare and wellness research, and the progress is staggering.
Let’s start the discussion on lifespan of man by understanding what life and death is. A man is alive when his heart is beating, he is breathing and shows other vital signs indicating biological functions are actively occurring within his body and is said to be dead when his vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing and brain activity have completely ceased. The period between when he is born alive and when he exits is what the lifespan means. Whether it is long or short is a relative term, depending on the civilization man was born in. About 10,000 years ago, it’s usual to live below or about 30 yeats. Today, the oldest living persons are known to have clocked more than 122 years. The importance of this is that man can stretch as long as possible and the good news is that longevity has been increasing over the ages (See the graph).
It’s important at this point to compare the average lifespan of different species. The turtles, for example, live an average of 50-60 years, chimpanzees for an average of 40 years, dogs for 10-13 years and hummingbirds lives an average of 3-5 years. These differences suggest that there are genetic limits on the lifespans of different species. Let us now take a look at chromosomes, genes and their relationships with longevity of man.
Chromosomes, genes and longevity
Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes within its nuclear envelope. Herein are stored the complete information set for the individual including the phenotype and the way biological and social interactions occur. Each chromosome contains one deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule double helix strand coded in segments for protein synthesis. A gene is a segment of DNA that controls a specific trait or function in an organism. The information can be transmitted to the next generation via reproductive processes.
The table shows functions of each chromosome and health disorders that ate associated with defective genes. These disorders can reduce longevity. Every individual has his own specific genes and chromosomes, all which can influence his longevity. There are also genes that seem specifically associated with longevity and these include APOE (apolipoprotein E), P53 (tumour protein p53), SIRTI (sirtuin I protein) and DAF-I6 (FOXOI transcription factor).
| Chromosome | Gene | Diseases and Disorders |
| 1 | Actin, skeletal muscle alpha chain Pancreatic Amylase Acid phosphatase Cystic fibrosis antigen Rhesus blood antigen Xeroderma pigmentosum A | Alzheimer’s Glaucoma Galactosemia Congenital hypothyroidism Prostate cancer Breast cancer Parkinson disease |
| 2 | Glucagon Elastin Collagen Ⅲ Collagen Ⅳ Testis-specific ɑ tubulin Interferon Ⅰ | Autism Gilbert’s syndrome Waardenburg syndrome Brachydactyly type D Lynch syndrome |
| 3 | Rhodopsin Somatostatin | Lung/breast/colon/pancreatic cancer Cataracts Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome |
| 4 | Huntingtin protein MN blood group | Huntington’s disease Parkinson’s disease Achondroplasia |
| 5 | Fibroblast growth factor, acidic | Cri du chat syndrome Cockayne syndrome Spinal muscular atrophy |
| 6 | Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1 Β tubulin M40 | Diabetes mellitus type 1 Hemochromatosis Epilepsy |
| 7 | Histone cluster A: H1, H2A, H2B Collagen type 1 alpha 2 chain Non-histone chromosomal protein 2 | Cystic Fibrosis Williams syndrome Pendred syndrome |
| 8 | Carbonic Anhydrase cluster DNA Polymerase β | Burkitt’s lymphoma Werner syndrome |
| 9 | ABO blood group | Tangier disease Tuberous sclerosis |
| 10 | Hexokinase Ⅰ | Pfeiffer syndrome Barakat syndrome |
| 11 | Insulin Catalase | Ataxia telangiectasia Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type 2 |
| 12 | Collagen Ⅱ, alpha 1 Salivary protein complex | Phenylketonuria Pallister-Killian syndrome |
| 13 | Collagen Ⅳ alpha 1 chain and alpha 2 chain Ribosomal RNA | Patau syndrome Retinoblastoma Wilson’s disease |
| 14 | T-cell leukaemia 1 Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene cluster Ribosomal RNA | Alzheimers Burkitt’s lymphoma Multiple myeloma |
| 15 | Ribosomal RNA | Tay-Sachs disease Marfan syndrome Prader-Willi syndrome |
| 16 | Nonhistone chromosomal protein 1 Haemoglobin alpha Haemoglobin zeta | Familial Mediterranean fever Thalassemia |
| 17 | Growth hormone | Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease |
| 18 | Gastric releasing peptide | Niemann-Pick disease |
| 19 | Green/blue eye colour Bombay phenotype | Myotonic dystrophy Maple syrup urine disease |
| 20 | Growth hormone-releasing factor, somatocrinin | Alagille syndrome |
| 21 | Ribosomal RNA | Down syndrome Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome |
| 22 | Ribosomal RNA Myoglobin | DiGeorge syndrome Chronic myeloid leukaemia |
| X | Haemophilia A, factor Ⅷ Haemophilia B, factor Ⅸ Gonadal dysgenesis, XY female type | Turner syndrome Rett syndrome Haemophilia A |
| Y | Pseudoautosomal segment Testicular determining factor Azoospermia-third factor H-Y antigen | Y chromosome microdeletion XYY syndrome |
(23 Chromosomes and their functions; ByJus Biology, 2025)
How do people get old?
Several factors affect how people get old. After fertilization, the zygote cell continues to divide.
Each cell division leads to shorter telomeres. These are caps at both ends of the chromosomes which help to hold the DNA in place within the chromosomes. When the telomere shortens, the DNA material becomes unstable, more exposed and defective in its function. The cells can then get older more rapidly. Other mechanisms include DNA mutations, poorly functioning mitochondria and insufficient stem cells to repair the organs. These factors are also closely associated with the individual’s genetic make up. Some persons age slowly and others faster, in accordance with their abilities to balance cell seneloscence, cell damage and all the repair processes involving the use of stem cells.
Natural ways to enhance longevity
The more recent behaviour of mankind towards nature has resulted in environmental degradation including ozone depletion, global warming, heavy air pollution and water shortages. If left unchecked, eventually the gains in terms of improving life expectancy could be reversed. Lifestyle modifications like exercising, consuming healthy foods and drinks in moderation and resting the brain from stress all will help to prolong life. It’s necessary to avoid self medications and to undergo periodic medical examinations.
Scientific approaches to longevity
Modern science has turned to technology to understand and potentially halt the aging process. Today, research suggests that while aging is inevitable, it can be significantly slowed down and some aspects may even be reversed. There are significant advances in human organ transplantation to prolong life.
Stem cell therapy is also being explored. to regenerate tissues, while advances in artificial intelligence and biotechnology are accelerating the search for anti-aging breakthroughs. The future holds exciting possibilities where humans may not only live longer but also maintain vitality well into old age.
The future of human longevity is rapidly evolving, with groundbreaking discoveries reshaping our understanding of life and death. As medical technology advances, the idea of extending human lifespan beyond 100 yeats, perhaps indefinitely, is no longer confined to science fiction.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing medicine, allowing for early disease detection, personalized treatments and predictive healthcare. Nanotechnology could soon be used to repair damaged cells at the molecular level, effectively reversing signs of aging. Genetic engineering, through technologies like CRISPR, may allow us to modify genes associated with aging and eliminate age-related diseases.
Beyond biological advancements, the concept of merging humans with technology is gaining traction. Some scientists envision a future where human consciousness can be uploaded into digital platforms, allowing for a form of digital immortality. Others predict that artificial organs and bionic enhancements will make physical aging irrelevant.
Yet, ethical and philosophical questions arise – if humans dramatically extend their lifespans, how will society change? Will resources be enough to sustain a growing population of centenarians? Will inequality deepen if longevity treatments are only accessible to the wealthy?
Tomorrow’s world promises astonishing possibilities, but it also demands careful consideration of the implications. As we step into this new era, we must balance scientific ambition with ethical responsibility, ensuring that longevity advancements benefit all of humanity
Conclusions
We are in changing times when opportunities for unprecedented longevity are before our eyes. However, there’s global threat to existence of all creatures through climate change and abuse of nature by man. It is best to heal the earth first in order to take full advantage of the opportunities we have. Gene editing technology looks promising in addition decisive lifestyle changes.
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