May Day: Gov. Abdulrazaq reiterates commitment to workers’ welfare

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated workers in the state on the occasion of another May Day, reiterating that they deserve the best and would always have his ears.

“I stand in solidarity with the workers across the world especially in Kwara State where our administration has been consistent in listening to them, creating a better working atmosphere, and protecting their dignity and professionalism,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his media spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye.

“Whatever the circumstances, we will make sure to always cater for the workers within the limit allowed by resources and demand for collective sacrifice in the midst of global economic meltdown. The constant and timely salary payments, purchase of modern tools and vehicles, and restoration of running cost for optimal service delivery are just a few examples in this regard. While the days ahead promise to be tough for every segment of the society in the face of sharp reduction in revenues, our administration will not be found wanting in showing sympathy to the plight of workers, be they in the formal or informal sector.”

The Governor commended the workers and their umbrella bodies for their support and understanding since his inauguration last year May 29.

He urged the workers and their unions to keep faith with the administration in its efforts to not just catering for them but also putting in place the necessary infrastructure to allow for a decent work environment and an economy that would make life a lot better for all.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

May 1, 2020.

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Besides COVID-19, our drug stopped Ebola, dengue fever, says Maurice Iwu

Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu is a professor of Pharmacognosy and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bioresources Development Group (BDG), Abuja; International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD) Nsukka, Enugu State and Bioresources Institute of Nigeria, Umuna, Onu-Imo, Okigwe, Imo State. The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in this exclusive interview with The Guardian said besides inhibiting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a drug patented by his company also stopped growth of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and dengue fever. Iwu, among other things, said BDG plans clinical trial of the herbal-based COVID-19 drug at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) isolation site in Lagos or other suitable site. The professor of pharmacognosy, who turned 70 years on April 21, insisted that many lives could have been saved in the country if the drug was put to use. He, however, commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and NCDC and advised that Nigerians should eat foods and take herbs that strengthen the immune system.CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes. Excerpts:

How far with the clinical trials of your natural cure for COVID-19?

The clinical trials have not yet started. I said ‘trials’ because we anticipate sequence of trials because we are dealing with more than one product. Luckily, we have already a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) listed product which we want to subject to clinical evaluation against COVID-19. The clinical trial titled: “Efficacy and safety of IHP Detox Tea (a special blend of Andrographis paniculata, Garcinia kola and Psidium guajava) for treatment of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a pilot placebo-controlled randomized trial”. To be conducted by an independent research group led by Vice Chancellor (VC) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State. The study is planned to be carried out in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 isolation site in Lagos or other suitable site.

The trial has been registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: at www.pactr.org with registration number of PACTR202004761408382 (Approval date: 15 April 2020). We shall then undertake the full clinical trials of Andrographolide, the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), which will be registered as a drug.

Because of cost, the objectives of the clinical trial on the IHP Detox tea are limited to testing the feasibility and acceptability of an emergency trial in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, and to collect data on the safety and effectiveness of the dietary supplement in reducing mortality and viral load in patients with COVID-19. The proposed trial actually stands out and may not directly influence the design of future studies on the pure compound, Andrographolide, which is a drug whereas IHP-Detox Tea is a dietary supplement.

The possible endpoints will include clinical disease progression, treatment-limiting adverse events, and the emergence of serious laboratory abnormalities such as elevated liver enzymes etc. Quality of life (QOL) assessments will also be conducted at baseline, and weekly during the study to assess patients’ perception of their QOL. Of course, it is entirely up to the investigators.

Now, the big surprise on the clinical trials of the proposed remedy: It may interest you that one of the plants that yielded the active compound has been clinically evaluated in several studies. In one of the published reports, Andrographis has been clinically evaluated about 33 times in full blown clinical trials. A meta-analysis, indicated that the trials (when combined) involved 7175 patients in cohorts on the use of A. paniculata for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in both children and adults. I will give you the paper to read for yourself.

You will find that A. paniculata therapy consistently shortened the duration of dry persistent cough, sore throat and sick leave/time to resolution when compared with usual care. The combination of Andrographis, Garcinia kola and Psidium guajava leaves in the already NAFDAC listed IHP -Detox Tea is an exciting product for the management of this pandemic. Especially as possible pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis as literature on them suggest. Furthermore, the specially ‘cured’ tea has been in human use since 2016 without any reported case of adverse effects. I hope you understand what I mean when I say that the tea is cured.

What are the constituents of this product?

We actually patented three active compounds: Andrographolide from Andrographis panicultata, Akiluvir (from Garcinia kola) and Alstonine from Picralima nitida seeds. I am really surprised at your question because the whole idea of a patent is full disclosure. We had screened thousands of plant extracts for various biological activities. Many of them including black seed oil, neem, lemon grass, citrus leaves and peel, turmeric, many other spices and herbs, etc. showed some antiviral activity but these three compounds exhibited remarkable antiviral activities and significantly inhibited the growth of Severe Active Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus in laboratory studies.

Fortuitously, we had developed since 2016 a product called IHP – Detox Tea that contains two of the most active antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents, which we had earlier patented. We replaced Picralima nitida with Psidium guajava because of the anti-psychotic properties observed with Alsonine, which we have reported in many academic papers. In fact, if you Google Alstonine now the Wikipedia definition will include its antipsychotic properties, which was first identified by our group for the management of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling. People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment.

You have presented the product to the Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of State for health. What is the feedback?

The Minister of Science and Technology and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health were quite receptive and encouraging. They showed genuine interest in our work. However, I didn’t go to them for financial support or endorsement. I merely offered a possible solution to a pandemic, which Africa was unprepared for. We have received some private sector interest in the products but our interest is in actually saving lives. Perhaps, more interest should have been shown and followed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDC and other medical experts have dismissed herbal cure claims for COVID-19. They argue that you cannot claim cure for a disease that just emerged. What is your take on this?

They are either ignorant or mischievous. I heard all the comments but I have been through a lot in my 70 years that I ignore such uninformed comments. I waited and in few weeks they learnt that novel coronavirus was not novel after all. One eminent virologist didn’t not even know that COVID-19 was caused by SARS – Coronavirus 2. Labels don’t impress me. What you don’t know you don’t know even if you are United Nations Organisation (UNO), WHO or NCDC. The saying my people perish for lack of knowledge is very true in this case. Perhaps, many lives could have been saved.

The lead molecule, Andrographolide is really one of the most studied natural products in history. In our patent, we showed that in vitro inhibition of the growth of Ebola virus (Zaire) with EC50 activity of 10 µM which is twenty-five-fold the activity of the control Favipiravir (EC50 = 250µM) in the Crystal violet (Plaque reduction/ Neutral red (Toxicity) assay. It also showed significant activity against Dengue fever virus with EC50 value of 0.56 µg/ml in the Visual (Cytopathic effect/ Toxicity) Assay and EC50 of 0.58 µg/ml in the Neutral Red (Cytopathic effect/ Toxicity) Assay (comparable to the values obtained with 6-Azauridine as the positive control EC50 = 0.32 µg/ml and 0.38 µg/ml in the respective bioassays; and against SARS Coronavirus.

Andrographolide had an EC50 of 1.2 µg/ml in the Visual (cytopathic effect/toxicity) assay and 1.1 µg/ml in the Neutral Red (cytopathic effect/toxicity) assay. The compound exerts several immune-modulatory properties. In experimental models, it effectively reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1𝛽, IL-6, GMCSF, and TNF-𝛼. The compound has a good pharmacokinetics profile and relatively non-toxic even at high doses making it an ideal experimental drug for the treatment of viral infections, with possible application in the control of the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19. I hope this data is not too heavy for a newspaper but it has become necessary to address the ignorant.

How far with your relationship with local researchers especially those at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka?

Local? That is the core of our problem. We are all scientists, local or foreign. Our programme has been enriched greatly by the team led by Prof. Charles Esimone. I have learnt a lot from him and his colleagues.

Presently you said you are working with Anambra and Imo State governments in containing the viruses. Do you success stories to share?

Not that I said. I am a member of the COVID-19 Taskforce in both States. It is really a great honour to participate in that role at this time.

What are your recommendations on how best to contain the virus?

With our rather limited resources and the dilapidated health infrastructure that have been neglected for decades, the country has actually done well. As I indicated at my meeting with the ministers, now is the time to plan for the next viral outbreak. We should continue to strengthen existing health state infrastructure and systems rather than grapple with establishment of ad-hoc systems. The restrictions imposed on movement of people, for example should not only be to slow the transmission of the virus and reduce the overall size of any possible outbreak but also to afford the healthcare personnel sufficient time to train on how to deal with infection clusters and surges as they occur.

The preventive measures advocated by healthcare experts such as regular washing of hands with soap and water, the use of hand sanitizers where possible and the observation of social distancing should be followed. I support the use of facemasks whenever we are outside our homes or receiving guests. We are enforcing the ban on gathering of people for whatever reason, especially markets and social gathering. History teaches us that viral pandemics sometimes follow a W curve, with unexpected surges, coming when restrictions are relaxed prematurely. Perhaps, more importantly we should eat foods and take herbs that strengthen the immune system, such as IHP- Immunovit. This is not advert, but public assistance.

There is fear of a second wave of COVID-19. How true is this and how can this be averted?

I am not a virologist or public health expert but scientific evidence points that possibility. That is what I mean by ‘W’ curve.

Have you effectively used your product to treat or prevent COVID-19 in Nigeria?

That is what the clinical trial is all about. I am not a traditional healer or an orthodox doctor so I don’t treat people. IHP -Detox Tea has been in public use since 2016. The potent antiviral activities of two of the major active ingredients of the tea namely, Andrographolide and GB1 on SARS Corona virus were recently validated by in vitro studies carried out by the United States (US) National Institute of Health (NIH).

IHP Detox Tea have, thus, shown proven pharmacological efficacy in several of the conditions, which supports its potential beneficial use in COVID-19 patients. Apart from the proven antiviral effects of the components of IHP Detox Tea, the immune boosting and adaptogenic effects of the major phytochemical constituents will definitely contribute to better prognosis of COVID-19 patients placed on the proposed therapy. That is what the pilot clinical study will establish or disprove.

Are you in the favour of extension of lockdowns in Lagos, Abuja and others?

No answer. Not read sufficient literature on that.

This pandemic has defied the Western world. What lessons are there for us to learn?

That all human systems are vulnerable and that we are perhaps more interconnected than we hitherto believe.

Are you collaborating with NAFDAC, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) and Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)?

Not really. But we have good collaboration with Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja: very fruitful collaboration. Our joint work, at the inspiration of DG, won the first prize in the Nigerian Science Fair for our work on local production of Lovastatin.

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FG Directs Civil Servants From Level 14 To Resume On Monday

                                   Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan. 

The Federal Government has ordered civil servants in the country to resume duties effective Monday, May 4.

This was contained in a memo signed on Thursday by the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

In the memo directed to all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the HoS said the workers would be allowed to work three times in a week and closing time would be 2pm.

She stressed the observance of social distancing, use of face masks, hand sanitisers, and good general hygiene at all government offices while noting that all Federal Secretariats have been decontaminated and efforts were ongoing to do same in other public offices.

She said, “Further to Mr President’s broadcast on a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown measures occasioned by COVID-19, officers on GL 14 and above and those on essential services are hereby directed to resume work with effect from Monday, May 4, 2020 in the first instance.

“Offices are to open three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – and close at 2pm on each day.”

The PUNCH had reported that FG ordered all public servants on grade level 12 and below to stay at home on March 24.

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Bill Gates Lists Requirements As Nations Gradually Ease Lockdown Orders

The second richest man in the world, Bill Gates, has revealed what governments across the world must do for life to get back to normal.

This is coming up as countries are slowly relaxing lockdown restrictions enforced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gates who is now a leading voice on how to fight coronavirus and has granted numerous interviews on how to fight it since it started, has recommended four things for life to “get back to normal”

The Microsoft founder released the list ahead of his Thursday night’s CNN Town Hall interview with White House Infectious disease expert Dr Fauci .

READ ALSO – Fani Kayode Blasts Bill Gates’ Wife Over Comment On Coronavirus In Africa

The list reads:

• Testing: Gates suggests various strategies to advance current testing methods including at-home test kits and consistent standards about who can get tested.
• Contact Tracing: Gates suggests following Germany’s model. Interview everyone who tests positive and use a database to make sure someone follows up with all their contacts. However, this relies on the infected person reporting their contacts accurately and requires a lot of staff to follow up with everyone in person. Gates suggest technology may be more adept at this, such as apps that help you remember where you’ve been or using cell phones.
• Effective Treatment: Right now, there is no treatment for Covid-19. On Wednesday, Fauci expressed optimism about an experimental drug called remdesevir, which is still in the trial phase. Other drugs like hydroxychloroquine have received a lot of attention but are still being studied. Treatments such as convalescent plasma – drawing blood from patients who have recovered from Covid-19, making sure it is free of the coronavirus and other infections, and giving the plasma and the antibodies it contains to sick people – look promising. But there is no magic drug experts can fully support yet.
• A Vaccine: Many countries and companies around the world are working at break-neck speed to develop a vaccine faster — and there are promising signs. Gates is particularly excited about pursuing a new approach called an “RNA vaccine.”

He said: “Unlike a flu shot, which contains fragments of the influenza virus so your immune system can learn to attack them, an RNA vaccine gives your body the genetic code needed to produce viral fragments on its own,” So, once your body senses traces of the infection, it attacks it.

As of Thursday, the COVID-19 death toll in the world stands at 231,000 with The US recording over 63,000.

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Nigeria’s coronavirus cases jump by single-day record of 204 cases

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Wednesday confirmed a total number of new 204 coronavirus cases in the country and also a total of seven deaths in the last 24 hours.

Nigeria economic hub Lagos and Kano states have the highest numbers. While Kano recorded 80 new cases, Lagos State recorded 45 new cases.

The spread of the virus further intensified in Gombe state as the state recorded 12 new states.

Bauchi and Sokoto states both recorded nine new cases each, Borno and Edo states recorded seven new cases each.

River and Ogun also confirmed six new cases each.

Nigeria’s capital city Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states confirmed four new cases each.

Kaduna, which is currently on a 30-day lockdown, confirmed three new cases while Oyo, Delta and Nasarawa states recorded two new cases each.

Ondo and Kebbi states also confirmed one case each in the last 24 hours.

“11:50pm 30th April- 1932 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria,” NCDC tweeted on Thursday night.

319 persons have been discharged while a total of 58 persons have died from the virus.

Nigeria will begin a “phased and gradual” easing of more than four weeks of lockdowns in the national capital and the largest city on May 4, President Muhammadu Buhari said in an address on Monday.

Lagos and Ogun states and the federal capital territory of Abuja entered lockdowns to tame the spread of the new coronavirus on March 30.

Buhari said the lockdowns had come at a “very heavy economic cost,” stripping many citizens of their livelihoods.

“No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines,” Buhari said.

Most state governments will enforce an overnight curfew, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and also will require all those who are out during the day to wear face masks.

The federal government will also enforce a ban on non-essential movement between Nigeria’s 36 states, a measure the governors’ forum had requested.

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Zlatan Ibile Releases New Song To Mourn Late Dancer, Kodak

Popular rapper, Zlatan Ibile has released a song dedicated to late dancer, Picture Kodak barely 24 hours after her sudden death.

The song, which is titled “PictureKodak”,  serves as a tribute to the dancer and it also
comes with a video.

Taking to Instagram, the rapper wrote;

‘To think I was still with you two days ago discussing your impact of dance and the Afro beat world at large. This sad news got to me and I can’t quite place it because you still got so much to offer the world with your dance. I remember the first time we met at the video shoot of my breakout song ‘My body’ ft Olamide, you appeared to be this short energetic girl with so much beautiful soul while dancing. The world can be a cruel and beautiful place at the same time and I’m glad to share the beautiful part with you ( Love Divine) Kodak. Heaven watch over you, you left a mark in the Nigerian dance scene and the Afro world at large’.

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How to Make Money with WEMA BANK ALAT

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES.

What is ALAT?

ALAT is a digital bank, the first if its kind in Nigeria! It is an innovation of Wema Bank Nigeria, developed to give you easy access to saving your funds and doing other bank transactions without being physically present at the bank.

With Alat digital bank, you can open a savings account using your phone number and Bank Verification Number (BVN) as well as other documents that you will be prompted to upload during the registration process.

It’s simple, convenient, reliable and requires no paper work. You also stand a chance of making money off it.

Great Opportunity on how you can start earning money with ZERO INVESTMENT

I want to introduce to you a legitimate business powered by WEMA BANK PLC who just launched her new mobile banking app called ALAT.

Now, how does this have to do with me earning a living?

WEMA BANK PLC came up with a business that pays anyone just for using her new mobile banking app.

✔No investment.

✔No buying & selling.

✔Unlimitted Earnings.

✔Instant pay per work.

✔No PayPal Account.

✔100% instant bonus.

✔10% interest on savings.

✔MANY MORE.

HOW REALLY DO I EARN WITH THIS APP?

In this business,there’s only one means of earning which is by creating awareness(referring/inviting).

You earn as you refer. You earn a credit of #1000 instantly in your ALAT account per person that uses this app using your referral code. This isn’t peer to peer, ponzi or mlm, you are been credited instantly by WEMA BANK PLC. This is free of charge, you don’t have to pay anyone, not even your referrer nor WEMA BANK PLC.

With is ALAT app, your earnings are unlimitted.

THIS IS HOW I EARN WITH ALAT APP.

I get credited with #1000 instantly per person that uses my referral code, if I refer 5 persons, I will earn (#1000×5)=#5000,when I refer 10 persons, I will earn (#1000×10)=#10,000

With this app, you stand a chance to earn 10k, 20k, 30k…….. instantly by referring 10,20,30……..persons free of charge,this is so so sweet.

?NOTE: You get an instant credit alert SMS on your phone on any pay & when you login to your app, you will see the same amount you saw in the SMS.

 

HOW TO GET STARTED:

This is very easy, All you have to do is to open a WEMA ALAT Account using the below procedures:

✔Download ALAT app from your Playstore (Android) or Applestore(iOS devices).

✔Open & Fill in your details in the app (phone number,e-mail address,date of birth, Bvn number[dial *565 *0# to know your bvn number]).

✔Input X3HC6S in the gap for referral code, don’t leave it blank.

✔Upload a picture of you & your signature whc u sign on a paper & upload.

Now, your WEMA ALAT BANK ACCOUNT have been created & ready for use.

On your dashboard, you will see your Account Balance as #0.00 & your Account Number.

✔To activate your account, you will need to fund your account with #500 ONLY,this can be done through online banking,ATM or walk into a nearby bank.

✔After a successful funding, you will get an instant credit alert of #1000 as SMS & also it will reflect on your dashboard and your balance will change from #0.00 to #1000.00(that shows it’s free since the #1000 is still yours).

Now you have a fully functioning bank account that can send money, receive money, save money, buy airtime, buy Data, you can withdraw your money via ATM Machine using your ALAT debit card.

After you must have done the needful above, CONGRATULATIONS .

✔Click on refer a friend to access your referral code, use it to refer a friend & earn unlimitedly.

HOW DO I GET PEOPLE?

Getting people is not a problem especially in this Internet age where most people are on the Internet with their Android phones and Laptops. However, there are many ways you get people registered using your referral code. You can get people by the following methods: Direct talk with family members, Friends, Relatives etc. You can also get people through social platforms like Facebook Page/Group, Whatsapp Group, Twitter, Histagram, Blogs, Forums like Nairaland, jiji, olx, News platform and many other platforms you could ever think that people do visits often…This is how I make cool money with this WEMA BANK APP.

BENEFITS OF WEMA ALAT APP/NUMBER.

✔This account can save more than #200,000.

✔This account can carryout a transaction of over #20,000 at a time with any other Nigerian bank.

Remember to fill your detail with referral code:X3HC6S

In your first login, if you have issues, simply click on “Forgot your Password?” and reset your password to the initial one through the Password Reset Notification sent to email and after that, your account will work fine.

More so, go to the profile section and fill in your details, ensuring that all the ticks are green so that your account does not become restricted. Check this section regularly to ensure they’re all perfect.

NOTE: You can also sign up via System/URL by clicking: https://online.alat.ng/#/signup

But, to get your referral code, you must use Alat app via Android or iOS device.

Open a bank account in less than 10 minutes and get your Virtual Card shipped to your doorstep in two business days.  I hope you find this very interesting and easy?

ADVANTAGES OF HAVING AN ALAT ACCOUNT:

ALAT By Wema Bank will save you time with a simple account opening process.

# Cash out: For every friend who joins alat with your referral code and funds their alat account with 500 naira, you will be given a gift of 500 naira. When you refer up to ten friends who all fund their alat accounts with 500 naira and upload required documents,they will add 5,000 naira to your account for a total of 10,000 naira

# Save Easily: Take the pressure off with a simple automated savings plan and earn 10% annual interest – three times the standard bank rate.

# Sign Up In 5 Minutes: Open an ALAT account from your phone with your BVN and phone number, no paperwork required.

# Schedule Transfers: Schedule your transfers and recurring bill payments so they’re paid on time even if you forget.

# Free Card Delivery: Pick one of three bank card designs and we’ll deliver yours to you in two business days, anywhere in Nigeria, at no cost.

# You Can DIY: Change your PIN, update your personal information and upload documents with your phone’s camera. No help needed.

# Control Your Card; Activate your debit card, lock it, unlock it and choose where it works all from your phone.

# Fund your Account: You can fund your Account via a Wema Bank Current or Savings Account (If you are an existing Wema Bank customer) or via other local or foreign card from any bank.

# Zero account: You can withdraw all your money.

# Automation: It will help you put money away easily by automating your savings. It will make sure your bills are paid on time with its scheduled payments feature.

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