News

Agency Unveils Locally-formulated Drugs For Diabetes, 3 Others

Published

1 year ago

March 10, 2024

…11 more underway – says director general

As the cost of orthodox drugs continues to skyrocket, the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, at the weekend, unveiled four locally formulated drugs for diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, anti-ageing, and antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections.

The drugs are; Namdune (200mg) meant for anti-aging. Namdasan (200mg) for anti-sickling, Aberecin (200mg) for anti-diabetes and Nanobere (50kg).

Unveiling the drugs in Lagos during his working visit to the agency, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Geoffrey Nnaji, promised that the federal government would not only invest in research in natural medicines but would help to commercialise the already formulated drugs by the NNMDA.

Nnaji, who said he was proud of the achievement of the Agency said he was more delighted at the level of professionalism in the production of the drugs.

“Today, the Nigerian National Natural Medicine Development Agency is under my purview and I came to have first-hand information on how they are working and what is going on here because all I’ve been hearing is stories. I’m happy I’ve verified a lot of things, so many things they make. Those that treat arthritis, those that take care of blood and sugar, and those that take care of blood pressure, including the four I launched this afternoon.

“You can see he has done wonders because we are looking at, first and foremost, one for blood sugar, which is diabetes. You know, it controls diabetes. There’s one for ageing. because people like us, if you look at me, I’m not sure of my age. It is this kind of drug that I need to keep looking younger. There’s another one for sickle cell that prevents the sickling of the cells. You know, that one is wonderful. And there’s a fourth one for respiratory tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection that will replace Augmentin, replace Zitromycin. You know, Zitromycin is about 15,000 right now, so to speak.

“This product which can replace Augmentin is less than N1,000, these are the kind of innovations we want in science and technology and that’s why President Tinubu said research remains key to national development. This is why we have to have a research and development fund. So that if they are there, more research will be done, so you should help us and amplify it.”

Speaking to journalists shortly after the unveiling, the Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, elated Professor Martins Emeje disclosed that before the end of the year, the Agency will be unveiling 11 more locally formulated drugs for various infections.

Noting that the Agency’s research farms across the country were generating positive results, he explained that they have done all the laboratory animal investigations and proven that the products are efficacious based on their animal studies.

The professor of pharmacy said their drug for anti-ageing slows down the ageing process.

He said nature is the best laboratory in the world but pride does not allow people who have gone to school to go and study nature.

He said no fewer than 25 million people in Nigeria suffer from sickle cell disease, hence the need for the formulation of the drug. He said the diabetes drug was meant from abere seed.

Emeje urged the federal government to ensure that people are not just given money for research without writing a proper research grant proposal.

He disclosed that by October this year, President Ahmed Tinubu will be launching 11 more products formulated by the agency, adding that the 11 products would create not less than 2 million jobs.

“Nigeria is the biggest black nation in the world. Nigeria has the highest plant biodiversity in Africa. So if we are talking of contribution to health in the herbal area, is Nigeria not supposed to be on top? And we at NNMDA, are very serious about it. All we just need is to allow us to do our work.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.