Connect with us

News

Agency Unveils Locally-formulated Drugs For Diabetes, 3 Others

Published

on

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).

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Don Confirms ‘Zobo’ As Antihypertensive Therapy

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Ramadan: 5 Hunger, Thirst-curbing Fruits You Can Take During ‘Sahoor’

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: NCC To Face Legal Action Over ‘Unlawful’ Directive To Block Nigerians Phone Lines

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments

News

Cherryland, Unifield, Divine Pattern Schools Shine At ITV 2025 Quiz, Debate And Essay Competition

Published

on

Winners in the various categories.

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

Cherryland Royal School, Divine Pattern Schools, and Unifield International School, on Friday, 4th July, 2025 won the Independent Radio and Television 2025 Interschool Quiz, Debate and Essay Competition in their respective categories.

Advertisement

The Essay Competition, with the topic: ‘There has Been a Growing Incidence of Gambling Amongst Youth in Your Country. Write an Article Suitable for Publication in a National Newspaper Stating Three Probable Causes, and Suggesting how this Problem can be Cured,’ was won by Oghogho Triumph of Divine Pattern Schools, while Eczema Praise of Cherryland Royal School emerged winner in the debate category with the topic: ‘The Youths of Today Are More Interested in the Pursuit of Pleasure than in Academic Work.’

The quiz, which was competed by primary pupils from various schools was won by Victory Ighotomare of
Unifield International High School.

Winners in the various categories in group photograph with the management of ITV/Radio

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief of Staff to Edo State Government (office of the deputy governor), Hon. Pius Alile, while recalling his primary school days, pledged scholarship to university level for winners in the various categories.

READ ALSO: ITV/Radio Pre-independence Anniversary Lecture: Nigerians Must Take Control Of Electoral Process – Don

Advertisement

Alile urged the students and pupils to desist from social vices and face their studies, stressing that it’s through education that they can actualise their dreams in life.

In his short remarks, Managing Director, ITV/Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, urged the students and pupils present at the event to face their studies, and above all be disciplined and well behaved.

He stressed that no matter how a student may be brilliant in life, such a student needs discipline to navigate through the journey of life, adding “no matter how intelligent you are, you must be well behaved and disciplined. This will take you far in life.”

Advertisement

The MD, who told the students and pupils that they cannot all be winners at the same time, said being present at the event, they are expected to take one or two lessons back home from the event.

READ ALSO: ITV Lauded For Grassroot Reportage 

Engr. Obaseki, who said “it’s not too good that none of our public schools are here,” promised, “next year, we will make everything humanly possible to bring our public schools so that the competition will be more interesting and fierce.”

Advertisement

Also speaking, Chairman, organising committee of the event, Dr. Sunny Duke, while expressing joy at the large turnout of schools in this year’s competition, thanked the management and staff of ITV/Radio for their support, and in particular the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for creating the platform (ITV/Radio) through which young ones can actualise their dreams.

He also thanked the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Alile for offering the winners in the various categories scholarship, stressing that it has been his prayer and wish.

Where I am today is because of the scholarship I won in JSS 2 back then. And today, that ambition and dream has been fulfilled with the scholarship for the winners of the quiz, debate and essay competition by Hon. Pius Alile, I’m overwhelmed,” Duke said.

Advertisement

The event was spiced up with dance competition amongst students and pupils, and on the other hand amongst teachers, and other side attractions.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Ex-gov Ohakim, IGP, Others Win Fundamental Rights Suit

Published

on

 

In a judgment certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by this reporter,

Advertisement

Hon. Justice Binta Mohammed of the High Court of the Federal Capital has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by one Lady Chinyere Lilian Amuchinwa on 4th May 2022 against six parties, including a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Alaikum; and the Inspector-General of Police.

The judgment was certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by newsmen

The suit stemmed from Lady Amechinwa’s claims that Dr Ikedi Ohakim and another party instigated the police to detain her at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in July 2021 over what was not stated in the suit.

Advertisement

Her claim is not unconnected with some unsubstantiated allegations she had earlier levelled against Ohakim , and for which the former Governor was exonerated.

READ ALSO:Ekiti Court Remands Man Over Alleged Threat To Life

The defendants, had in their replies, said the suit was devoid of cause of action and an abuse of the process of the court, “the suit having been filed after other similar suits were being pursued elsewhere by Lady Amuchinwa against Dr Ohakim.”

Advertisement

They cited the other suits as a fundamental rights suit in Imo High Court Owerri; an appeal at Owerri Division of court of appeal court; and charges filed at Federal High Court, Abuja, all of which the court noted were either dismissed or struck out against Lady Amuchinwa.

Delivering judgment on the suit Justice Mohammed held that: “From the unchallenged and uncontroverted evidence in this suit, it is established that the Applicant/Respondent, has commenced a multiplicity of action involving the same set of fact and the same persons therefore constituting an abuse of the judicial process. Therefore this issue is resolved in favour of the 1st 3rd and 4th Applicant/respondent as well as the 5th Respondents/Applicants.”

READ ALSO:Lawyer Asks Court To Void EFCC, NSCDC Acts

Advertisement

In conclusion the preliminary objection of the 1st 3rd 4th and 5th Respondents/Applicant succeeded accordingly, the suit filed by the Applicant/Respondent for Enforcement of Fundamental Right on 4/5/22 is hereby dismissed.

“The Applicant has failed to establish a cause of action against the 6th Respondent as nothing remotely connects him to the suit of the Applicant, his name is accordingly struck out from the suit.

“There will be no need to consider and determine the Applicant suit the preliminary objections to the suit having succeeded and the suit dismissed”, the Court ordered.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Constitution Amendment: South-East Demands Rotational Presidency, Legislative Seats For Women

Published

on

The people of the South-East have demanded a constitution that allows for the rotation of the presidency and grants full autonomy to Local Governments in the country.

They requested the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.

Advertisement

Speaking during the exercise, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State noted that the concept of a rotational presidency was paramount to the Southeast.

The governor said the state believed that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones, this would provide every region, including the Southeast, a fair chance at the nation’s highest office.

\Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the idea would foster a greater sense of belonging and national unity.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Convicted Of Raping Incapacitated Woman

Similarly, the governorship should rotate among senatorial zones, and legislative seats should be allocated among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.

To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we propose legislative seats. We advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women and two additional House of Representatives seats per state.

Advertisement

“As a state, we advocate for three additional assembly seats per state for women.

“This measure will significantly boost gender parity and ensure active participation of women in governance and in decision-making processes,” Mbah said.

The governor also called for the institutionalisation of Local Government Councils as a truly autonomous form of government team.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

According to him, the current practice where state governors meant for local governments and appoint caretaker committees instead of elected representatives and hinder grassroots development.

We urge the committee to reinforce section1999 constitution to ensure the democratic existence of local governments, allowing them to directly access their funds from the national consolidated account,” Mbah said.

Advertisement

The governor equally called for legislative powers, enhancements, and fiscal reforms that would devolve more powers and resources to the states.

He stressed that the current concentration of power at the centre, a legacy of the military rule, had stifled the growth and development of sub-national entities.

A true federal system requires that states are autonomous entities with sufficient powers and resources to positively impact the lives of their citizens,” he concluded.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Google Empowers Nigerian Newsrooms With Tools To Maximise Ad Revenue, Digital Innovation

On his part, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State called for the creation of an additional state in the Southeast to bring them on par with other geopolitical zones of the country.

Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Moses Odunwa, also called a for women’s inclusiveness and reserved political seats for women.

Advertisement

If a particular seat has been designated for women, all the parties will feature women candidates to fill in the space,” he said.

The public hearing was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, NGOs, and civil society organisations.
(VANGUARD)

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending