Nigerian HIV drug effective against nine viruses - developer

August 31, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

Prof Maduike Ezeibe, the developer of a Nigerian HIV drug, Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum Magnesium Silicate (MSAMS) says the drug has been found to be effective against nine viruses.

Ezeibe said the MSAMS tested on six RNA viruses (positively charged) and three DNA viruses (negatively charged) including measles, HIV, bird flu, hepatitis B and C was found efficacious in wiping them.

The professor said the implication of this is that the drug could be used to treat other viral diseases in human beings even as it is useful in immune system boosting.

The don, who discovered the Nigerian HIV drug, MSAMS disclosed this in Aba on Friday during an interview.

Ezeibe, a University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), trained Veterinary doctor, who also lectured at the same University before joining Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia (MOUAU) is a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Biology.

He has 6 drug patents which includes Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum Magnesium Silicate, MSAMS, (the antiviral and stabilizing ingredient for different drug formulations), Admacine (antiviral-antibiotic drug formulation for animals).

Others are Franccocine (anti coccial formulation for poultry), Ismerquine (antimalaria formulation) and Bernazine (anthemintic-worm medicine) Antivirt for HIV / AIDS and other immune deficiency diseases).

Ezeibe called for collaborations from governments and drug companies to enable quick processing of the clinical trials and early commercial production of the drug.

“If there can be collaboration with government and drug companies, that is very much welcome because it would help early mass production of the drug.

“This will also help to save the lives of many HIV positive Nigerians who we learnt from our research do not respond very well to imported anti-retroviral drugs”, he said.

The don said the drug requires passing a final stage of clinical trials to enable its commercialization that would make it accessible to patients in all locations easily.

Ezeibe said the quick commercialization of the drug would save the lives of many Nigerians, especially HIV patients who do not respond to other HIV drugs.

He said that the imported drugs give a semblance of curing the disease which is not actually the case unlike the Nigerian anti-viral drug which wipes the virus from the body system.

The don said that his research showed imported anti-retroviral drugs hide HIV virus in the cells and away from the blood, while rendering it undetectable in the bloodstream after some time.

He said it was easier for veterinary specialists to discover HIV cure because HIV is a veterinary disease, hence any substance that could cure SIV/AIDS in monkeys and other primates would cure HIV/AIDS in humans.

Enyimba's win against Cara my happiest moment as administrator - Anyansi-Agwu

The Chairman, Enyimba International FC of Aba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, says the team’s victory over Cara Brazzaville of Congo on Wednesday marked the happiest moment for him as a football  administrator.

Anyansi-Agwu made the assertion at a post-match news conference at the Enyimba FC Stadium in Aba shortly after the Peoples’Elephants defeated Cara Brazzaville 1-0n in their CAF Confederation’s Cup in Group C on Wednesday.

According to him, his team’s  victory in the tension-soaked match was pleasant because they have qualified for the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, adding that the win was a delightful way to dedicate their remodelled stadium.

He said he was optimistic that Enyimba would win because of his firm faith in God, noting that they got the last minute victory because God wanted to show His hands were upon  the club.

Anyansi-Agwu, however, expressed displeasure with the attitude of the Enyimba fans immediately after the match ended, saying that football administrators globally frown at such a rush onto the field of play.

He said steps would be taken to check a repeat of the undesirable attitude by fans which could earn the club some sanctions.

Speaking, Cara Brazzaville Coach, Jacque Ontsira, said that his team knew Enyimba would fight hard to defeat them so they adopted a defensive game.

He, however, expressed delight at the effectiveness of the tactics as his team also qualified after the group’s second match between Williamsville and Djoliba ended in a goalless draw.

Enyimba FC Coach, Usman Abdullah, said that his team played their heart out because only a hard fight would ensure their victory and qualification.

“We did not come out to depend on the result of the other teams. The result came out positively for both teams that played in Aba today. Our game plan was to win.

“I am happy we got the three points not only because this is the first continental game in Aba but because it feels so good to dedicate the stadium with a win”, he said.

He described the return of the peoples’ elephant to Aba, their home ground as “a positive thing” that would pay dividends, adding that this was the first time they were playing in the stadium in three years.

The coach said that since the last three years, they had never played with their home support, but added that now such a support would enhance their performances.

Abdullah said his team begins preparation immediately against the semi-finals by working  harder than ever before.

The Team’s Captain, Mfon Udoh, said the pitch was pleasantly different from those in  Calabar and Port Harcourt where they played  their matches in the last three years.

He said Enyimba walked on a tight rope playing against their opponents to qualify for the quarter-finals, expressing joy that they eventually won.

The goal which came through Wasiu Alalade in the third minute of extra time was made possible through a free kick by Mfon Udoh which bounced off the cross bar.

Enyimba has booked a place in the quarter-finals stage of the competition, with 12 points, which is three points higher than Cara that now occupies  the second position.

Enyimba FC chairman hopeful CAF will approve stadium for matches

August 24, 2018. 

By Ijendu Iheaka 

Chief Felix Anyasi-Agwu, Chairman, Enyimba FC of Aba, says that the facilities needed at the Enyimba stadium to ensure Enyimba FC and Tara Brazzaville of Congo match held has been installed.

Our correspondent noted that the Enyimba stadium has been undergoing reconstruction to give it a standard, world-class touch since 2016.

Anyansi-Agwu disclosed this on Friday during an interview with newsmen in Aba during the visit of Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team to the stadium.

He said that it is very easy for anybody who visits the rehabilitated stadium with the new artificial turf and other improvements to be impressed by the work done at the stadium.

He therefore expressed hope that the team would give approval for the use of the stadium for Enyimba’s match with Tara Brazzaville of Congo on Wednesday.

Anyansi-Agwu said that Abia state needed CAF’s encouragement having witnessed the level of development Enyimba stadium had undergone adding that he hoped that CAF would in a few days give its nod for the match at Aba.

The chairman while debunking the information making the rounds on the social media that the date of the match had been changed described it as misleading stressing that the date is still August 29.

On the official opening of the Enyimba FC Stadium, the chairman said it is the Abia state government who is the custodian of the project that would determine the date for the official opening.

He thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his magnanimity and commitment which made the Enyimba FC Stadium rehabilitation project a reality noting that the team would now be playing matches at home.

The stadium which now has an artificial turf has undergone massive rehabilitation work with improved convenience area, dressing rooms and stands.

Aba residents decry citizens’ poor attitude to environmental cleanliness

August 22, 2018


By Ijendu Iheaka

Some residents of Aba have called on the Abia Government to provide more refuse buckets in the city to curtail indiscriminate refuse dumping to reduce flooding in the city after rainfall.

The residents in interviews with our reporter on Tuesday decried the poor attitude of the people to the environment and call for proper management of waste to reduce flooding in the city.

Teddy Johnson, a driver, noted that the Okezie Ikpeazu Administration had worked harder than its predecessors to build roads with drain in Aba yet the city still faced flooding problems.

He said the reason was that some residents and traders emptied their waste in the drains and blocked them thus flooding occurred after the rains.

He suggested that the government should check clogged drains through proper waste management.

Johnson said that Aba residents passed through great difficulties to reach Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) refuse buckets as they were few.

He said that the long distances discouraged children who were sent most times to throw away refuse from reaching the spots, hence they poured waste into gutters and blocked them.

He urged government to improve waste management by sending ASEPA to collect refuse from house to house to check indiscriminate refuse dumping and flooding.

Chief Richard Kalu said the government had been trying to put the city in order but needed to give its contract works to professionals in all areas.

He said poor quality construction work in some areas was responsible for clogged drains which induced flooding.

He further called on the government to use a special task force to check indiscriminate refuse dumping if it must contain street flooding in Aba.

Tony Onyebuchi also said that residents were contributing to clogged drains in Aba resulting in flooding of streets.

He called on the government to provide waste buckets for all residents and monitor and enforce their use through a special task force to ensure compliance.

“One single measure will not stop flooding in Aba because it is caused by many factors and it is by attending to these different factors that street flooding could be properly controlled in Aba.

“And government and the people can solve this problem if they join hands,” he said.

Enyimba Economic City: Ikpeazu promises compensation for land owners

August 201, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Abia state Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has vowed to ensure payment of compensation to landowners in the three local government areas expected to host the Enyimba Economic City, Aba.

Governor Ikpeazu made the vow during a meeting in Aba with the stakeholders of Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo LGAs where the Enyimba Economic City is to be sited.

He said that he remained consistent in his vision, commitment and effort towards realizing the Enyimba Economic City in the state.

According to him, the compensation would help to boost the commitment of the landowners who would also be co-drivers of the project through the monitoring of every stage of its development.

Ikpeazu urged the stakeholders to set up committees in their communities that would sensitize their people on the need to support the project which he said would provide about 500,000 jobs to Abia citizens.

He called on the youth of the areas to prepare and equip themselves educationally in order to take up lucrative opportunities that may become available when the city is realized.

He commended the stakeholders and traditional rulers who appeared at several meetings held to stress the benefits of giving their agricultural lands for industrial purposes which would in turn provides sustainable opportunities to future generations.

He announced that the major bottleneck of power supply to the city has been tackled and expressed joy over the readiness of the people to partner in the project.

The Commissioner for lands and Survey, Chief Uche Ihediwa said the ministry’s interaction with the 33 communities involved has reached an advanced stage.

He said that the ministry was half-way through its second visitation tour of the communities “preparatory to enumeration, valuation, compensation and commencement of construction”.

He said their visits had unveiled some challenges which the state government and stakeholders must address to ensure the progress of the project.

He named them to include negative impact of some failed state projects like Obuaku City, Ogwe Golden Chicken, International Market, Umudobia, refusal of some communities to embrace the project, youth restiveness among others.

He also noted that lack of security for the ministry’s staff and lack of operations vehicles for his staff were among the challenges needing to be addressed for the project to succeed.

Ihediwa who said his ministry was still encountering difficulties with acceptance of the project by some communities therefore called on all the stakeholders to sell the project to their communities to ease their work.

Chief Darl Uzu, a Private Sector Developer for the project said the benefits of the Enyimba Economic City were numerous hence he expressed delight that negotiations with the land owners were  gradually yielding fruits.

The member representing Ukwa East State constituency, Chief Paul Taribo, his Ukwa West counterpart, Chief Mezie Nwaubani, a former Commissioner for sports, Chief Chinwe Nwanganga and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Chinedu Browne spoke in separate speeches.

They thanked the governor for attracting the project to the state which they said would benefit their people economically.

 Eze Young Ogbonna, Eze Onyemachi Ogbulu, Eze Goddy Ukanna and Mr Ndubuisi Enyioko appealed for compensation for the land, immediate development of the project and accommodation of major land donors in the project.

They also assured the governor of their unwavering support in the bid to realize the project.

NASSI lauds FG for Trader Moni initiative

August 16, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

Imo Anasonye, Director General, National Association of Small and Medium Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Abia state chapter, has commended the government for remembering poor Nigerians in its plan to assist them with“Trader Moni”.

Anasonye gave this commendation in his office on Thursday during an interview with our reporter in Aba.

He said the government must be commended for remembering the people with the idea adding that even though the loan is N10, 000 no amount of money is too small to assist the poor.

“Last year they did the first leg of the programme called the Market Money programme where they disburse from N10,000 to N50, 000 per beneficiary.

“And now they have come up with this one which is called Trader Moni which is season two of that engagement programme.

“I commend the government for coming up with such initiative”, he said.

Anasonye said his worry was that the N10, 000 to be disbursed under the Trader Moni would not impact much on people wanting to do business with it in the present day Nigeria.

He said that the government’s stand that the N10, 000 loan, if taken and not repaid, may result in the blocking of a beneficiary’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) should be changed.

He said that such action would create many casualties hence anybody who could accept a loan of that amount is indeed a poor Nigerian.

He asked the government to review the amount upward as a loan of that amount was too small and would not serve the expected purpose due to high cost of living.

“The government should be bolder to create business money for the poor people in such a way that when they receive it, their businesses will be boosted by the loan,” he said.

Anasonye said the manufacturing sector which should be the nation’s economic bedrock was not getting the deserved attention needed to upgrade its performance for the nation’s economic benefit.

He said that the government’s plan to diversify the economy should make it plan big enough to create a fund that could power large scale production to benefit Nigerians locally and internationally.

He said urged government to ensure that when such funds come, they are not disbursed through government agencies but through private sector organizations to make them achieve their purposes. 

Govt approves NARICT’s new adhesive for mass production – Acting Director

August 16, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, (NARICT), says that the Ministry of Science and Technology has approved the mass production of a new adhesive it developed to solve local users problems.

The Acting Director, NARICT, South East /South South zones, Mr Vincent Oriah made this known in an interview with our reporter in Aba on Thursday.

Oriah who told our reporter earlier that the institute applied to the ministry for approval in 2017 for up scaling of the product, said the approval had been granted.

The Acting Director said that the institute is now working hard to realize the project following the approval given by the ministry of science and technology.

He said that the institute has plans to set up a factory for the mass production of the adhesive but is awaiting the release of funds by the ministry to enable the execution of the plan.

The institute had announced in 2017 that it developed a strong adhesive which would solve a major bonding problem facing local leather manufacturers in Nigeria.

Oriah said that the strong adhesive named “multi-purpose adhesives” would save Nigeria some dollars in foreign exchange by reducing the rate local producers import adhesives for use.

He said the institute launched the research into strong local adhesive production because leather products manufacturers complained of low quality adhesives they buy from importers who adulterate before selling to them.

“They say the adulterated adhesives have affected the quality of their final products and that is very true. 

“But now we have developed an adhesive called the multi-purpose adhesive because the garment industry, the furniture industry, the leather products industry can also use it”, Oriah said.

Our reporter noted that NARICT was founded in 1964 as Hides and Skins Development Project of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with Nigeria.

It was later handed over to Nigeria’s government in 1972 which renamed it Federal Leather Training Institute (FLTI) and upgraded to a research institute in 1975 when it was renamed Leather Research Institute of Nigeria (LERIN).

However in 1988, its mandate was expanded to include research and development into chemicals and chemical products and for the third time it was renamed as NARICT.

It is in line with its new charge to provide innovative research and development in the processing and conversion of local raw materials into useful chemical products for local industrial use that it embarked on the adhesive project.

Methodist church to mobilize for young political office aspirants - Prelate

August 13, 2018


By Ijendu Iheaka


The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Uche says that the church will mobilize support for young Nigerians aspiring to political leadership in 2019.

Uche disclosed this in Aba on Monday during a press briefing held at the Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church, Park road, Aba to mark the end of its 46the Conference and 11the Biennial Conference.

Uche said the church would mobilize only for good, upright and young aspiring candidates to make Nigeria better.

He said that the church has a Political Evolution Monitoring Group (PEMG) to support the progressive political developments in Nigeria adding that the church was doing its best to support national progress.

The church in a Communique signed by Uche and the Conference Secretary, Most Rev. Michael Akinwade and released at the event announced its support for young people's participation in politics.

It commended the federal government for signing into law the "Not too Young to Run" bill into an Act to enable young people get political positions.

It said that the act would open the political space for young persons aspiring to leadership and called for creation of enabling environment to make the act effective.

The church thanked the government for granting financial autonomy to local governments which they said would enhance grass roots development and prompt payment of its workers.

"We therefore appeal to those at the local governments not to divert funds accruing to them to white elephant projects.

"On maintaining a vibrant polity, Methodist Church Nigeria urges every citizen above 18 years old to process Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) which is the main tool for determining who governs us.

"We equally urge citizens to come out and vote, not sell their votes but vote according to their conscience.

"Stakeholders in the electoral process  should ensure that rigging elections is resisted", it said.

The church warned that no political party would be allowed to misbehave in 2019 adding that if anyone does misbehave,he will face the consequences.

The church said that politics with bitterness which had become rampant in Nigeria was overheating the polity and therefore urged politicians to call themselves to order and play by the rules.

The church urged governments to pay living wages to workers adding that owing them several salary arrears was unwarranted and had led to the untimely death of many workers.

It called on the government to handle the welfare of workers with uttermost care in order to discourage financial corruption in private and public sectors of Nigerian life.

It further called on government to do everything possible to ensure the release of Miss Leah Sharibu who was abducted by Boko Haram in February .

The church while advocating creation of state police under the command of governors called for the overhaul of Nigeria's security apparatus to check incessant loss of lives.

On the issue of ranches, the church said that to ensure peace and equity, cattle farmers should create ranches in their home states.

"Cattle colonies or grazing fields should not be used as a means of colonization, religious proselytizing and forceful acquisition of the ancestral lands of other...

"It is our prayer that in our nation Nigeria, we shall all have peace and God will reign supreme", it said.

Moghalu counsels youths on creating safe spaces through political action

August 11, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

Prof. Kinsley Moghalu has urged Nigerian youths to be involved in the nation’s politics and decision-making processes in order to create safe spaces for themselves and the citizens in general.

Moghalu is a Presidential Aspirant who has indicated interest to run under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019 elections.

Moghalu disclosed this in Aba on Saturday while speaking on the 2018 United Nation's International Youth Day theme “Safe Spaces for Youth” during an event organized to mark the day in Aba, Abia state.

He said that youths should take political actions and steps to free themselves from the shackles of political bondage, take leaders to account and shape safe spaces for themselves.

He said that Nigeria’s youth with a population of about 67 million could determine Nigeria’s political future if they could mobilize and take the right action.

“When you vote in the right persons, you are building a future you will have a say and a stake in. So let us commit to creating safe spaces for all of us. You must use the social media aright to reshape Nigeria”, he said.

Moghalu said the United Nation’s Youth Day was important to him because he spent a good chunk of his life working for the UN in many countries of the world and had helped to build broken countries.

He said he wanted to participate in Nigeria’s politics in order to ensure the rebuilding of the broken nation so made by politicians and urged the youths to make the right decisions come 2019.

Miss Chimdi Ononiwu, one of the participants said that she came to the event to learn and to get empowered because the event is an empowerment – driven event.

“I came to hear the success stories of those who have been ahead of me so that I do not have to repeat their mistakes but rather jump on their backs to get to where I want to be”, she said.

She suggested the organizers should do serious publicity for the event’s next year edition and add to flyers, radio jingles, Tv announcements and media visits to create the needed awareness that will pull more youths to the event.

Ikenna Ogbudimkpa, the Coordinator, Vision Life Foundation, organizers of the event said they organized it to “celebrate the innovation youths bring to social development”.

“We want to do this commemorate the United Nation’s International Youth Day. Youths are regarded as crazy but we have youths who are passionate and purpose-driven.

“We are here to ensure that we have a better Nigeria. We are here to learn from our leaders, to network, and to teach ourselves as well and to forge a better Nigeria”, he said.

He said that the major challenge of Nigerian youths which deprives them from featuring in political mainstream was lack of synergy hence his counsel that Nigerian youths should have synergy to create safe spaces for themselves.

Youth celebrities like Amauchechukwu Alex Asogwa also known as AlexUnusual, a Big Brother Naija Finalist, Chy Nwakanma, who plays Lisa in Africa Magic’s Hussle, and Lynda Omerepke, Author, Cash your Passion were present.

Financing products will significantly enhance clusters - Enelama

Aug. 9, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

Dr Okechukwu Enelama, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment says financing products will significantly enhance clusters and increase their contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Enelama said this in Aba during the inauguration of Aba Finished Leather Goods Cluster Financing Programme by the Bank of Industry (BoI), in collaboration with Ford Foundation and Fidelity Bank.

Enelama was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Edet Akpan.

He said that the Aba Finished Leather Goods Cluster financing product launch was a welcome initiative that would create an enabling environment to boost the sectors productivity and creative ability.

According to him, BoI, Ford Foundation, Fidelity Bank and other partners through the programme are bridging the capital gap, while providing training and capacity development to improve made in Aba goods.

“I strongly believe that through this initiative, additional jobs will be created, quality of lives improved and ultimately, the economy will benefit significantly,’’ Enelama said.

He commended the programme which was aimed at providing collateral-free loans for qualified artisans and members of the Leather Product Manufacturers Association of Abia (LEPMAAS).

Also speaking, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu thanked the partners for their assistance which had improved the lot of Aba artisans.

According to the governor, Aba leather manufacturers have what it takes to lead the world in leather products manufacturing and challenged them to do better than their competitors abroad.

He said that the equipment imported by his government for their use would arrive soon, while urging them to ensure they made the best use of them.

Ikpeazu who assured the partners that the leather workers would repay the loans on time and exceed their expectations of the financing partners, urged the artisans to do more.

“I want to remind you that the world is looking at you now and you can no longer cut corners. So you must improve the quality of your job” he said.

The Managing Director, BoI, Olukayode Pitan said that the leather sector was a contributor to the manufacturing industry in Abia, adding that it was a diligent driver of job creation having engaged more than 150,000 artisans.

He said that Aba leather workers manufacture large quantities of leather products sold in Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.

Pitan noted that the contribution of LEPMAAS members to the leather sector was more than N10 billion annually, in spite of the challenge of importation of leather goods into the country.

The managing director said that the programme was designed by the banks and other partners to create quality jobs as well as improve the lives of Nigerians.

He said that the bank had provided credit facilities for LEPMAAS members recommended by their line chairmen to asses up to N300, 000 to improve raw materials procurement and quality of their works.

Our Correspondent reports that seven members of LEPMAAS were given cheque of  N300, 000 each to formally start the loan scheme.