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General News

Ebola: Panic in Anambra over Corpse from Liberia, Prof Maurice Iwu Claims Cure

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Professor Maurice Iwu, head, the Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme
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There was palpable tension in Anambra State, Thursday, as the state government raises the alarm over suspected Ebola-infected corpse flown from Liberia to the state through Lagos.

This is coming as a research, led by Professor Maurice Iwu, head, the Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme, a plant, commonly eaten in West Africa, Garcinia kola has been found to halt the deadly Ebola virus in its tracks in laboratory tests.

The corpse was deposited at Apex Mortuary, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, at the weekend and over 50 persons who had contact with the corpse had been quarantined until epidemiologists from Federal Ministry of Health certifies them free.

Dr Josephat Akabuike, state commissioner for Health, disclosed that the corpse was flown into the state at the weekend, adding that the state had collected all the necessary preventive garments to protect the virus from spreading.

The state government, through the state Ministry of Health, immediately ordered for temporal closure of the hospital until the staff and patients, including the deceased family members, were screened by the epidemiology unit of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Dr Akabuike said that “We had a report that a corpse was brought into the state through Lagos and the deceased was said to be taken from Liberia, where there is a several reported cases of Ebola virus disease.”

The commissioner also informed that the state government had instituted a rapid response team, saddled with the responsibility of responding to emergencies, revealing that the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano,had ordered for the acquisition of 400 personal protective equipment to protect the health workers in the state.

He urged all residents to call the following emergency numbers, 08030890440 or 08030864502 anytime there was a suspected case of Ebola disease in their area.

But Professor Iwu, head, the Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme, a plant, commonly eaten in West Africa, said that Garcinia kola has been found to halt the deadly Ebola virus in its tracks in laboratory tests.

If repeated in humans, this would give the body a chance to fight off the virus.

They used a compound from Garcinia kola, a plant. Compounds from the plant have also proved effective against some strains of flu.

If the anti-Ebola compound proves successful in animal and human trials, it will be the first medicine to successfully treat the virus that causes Ebola haemorrhagic fever, an often-fatal condition.

The discovery was announced at the 16th International Botanical Congress in St Louis in the United States of America in 1999.

The Ebola virus was first documented in 1976 after an outbreak in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 88 per cent of the 318 human cases died.

More recently, a 1995 outbreak in the same country had a death rate of 81% of the 315 infected.

There are four types of the virus; they include Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan and Ebola-Ivory Coast, which affect humans and Ebola-Reston, which has so far only affected monkeys and chimpanzees.

 “This is a very exciting discovery, the same forest that yields the dreaded Ebola virus could be a source of the cure.” said Professor Iwu.

The virus multiplies rapidly in the human body and quickly overwhelms it, and in advanced cases the patient develops high fever and severe bleeding.

The active compound in the Garcinia kola is what is known as a dimeric flavonoid, which is two flavonoid molecules fused together.

Flavonoids are non-toxic and can be found in orange and lemon rinds as well as the colourings of other plants.

The tests are in the early stages still, but the researchers hope that if they continue to prove successful the compound the US Food and Drug Administration will put it on a fast track, making a drug available to humans within a matter of years.

“The discovery of these important properties in a simple compound; flavonoids, was very surprising,” said Dr Iwu.

“The structure of this compound lends itself to modification, so it provides a template for future work.

“Even if this particular drug does not succeed through the whole drug approval process, we can use it to construct a new drug for this deadly disease,” he added.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

General News

Nigerian Tech Prodigy sets World Record with Smallest GPS Tracker

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Young Nigerian tech genius, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has developed the world’s smallest GPS tracking device, a prototype measuring just 22.93 x 11.92 mm.

Recognised by the Guinness World Records, the device was created at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, on April 27, where he is employed as a researcher.

It has been hailed for its potential across industries, from logistics and personal safety to medical devices and wildlife monitoring.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the feat in a post on X, praising Oyinlola for showcasing the ingenuity of the West African country’s youth. “You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he wrote.

Adding to the accolades, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauded the innovation as a symbol of national pride and technological potential.

He commended Oyinlola’s journey, noting his early support for the young inventor’s IoT startup. “Long before this global recognition, I had the privilege of backing Oluwatobi. His journey, now continuing at MIT, is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary potential of our people,” Tijani said.

The prototype not only marks a leap in miniaturised technology but also highlights Nigeria’s growing footprint in global innovation. Bosun added that as Nigeria intensifies efforts to nurture homegrown tech talent, Oyinlola’s success is a beacon for the next generation of innovators.

“The world is only beginning to see what you’re capable of,” said the Minister.

 

 


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General News

Africa Looks to Solar Amid Electricity Challenges

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Africa is becoming a global hub for solar energy development. The commercial and industrial sectors are driving this trend, with photovoltaic systems being installed on-site at businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities to meet energy demands.

This is according to CBi-electric: low voltage, which manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment.

2.5 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of solar capacity was built across Africa in 2024, with 194.34 GWp expected in 2025, according to the company.

Dr. Andrew Dickson, engineering executive of CBi-electric: low voltage, outlines how several reasons are hastening the continent’s transition to solar. “Energy poverty remains a major issue across Africa, with reliable grid electricity reaching only 14% of Zimbabweans, for example.”

He goes on to say that inconsistent power supply is another significant contributor, stating that “Persistent nationwide blackouts are affecting countries like Botswana, disrupting day-to-day operations. And in hydro-electric dependent countries such as Zambia, climate change is reducing water levels, leading to lower electricity generation and higher prices.”

Dickson believes that strategic system design and management are critical to realising the full potential of solar energy on the continent.

He said: “As Africa’s solar energy market continues to expand in 2025, organisations have an opportunity to capitalise on its long-term benefits. With the right technologies and safeguards in place, solar is not only a clean energy solution it’s a strategic asset that pays off.

“By combining surge protection, DC breakers, and monitoring tools, businesses can reduce unexpected costs, minimise downtime, and extend the life of their investment.”


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Nigeria Trains 200,000 Citizens in AI to Drive Innovation and Sustainability

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Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a major initiative to train over 200,000 Nigerians in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, aiming to build a digitally skilled workforce and position Nigeria as a continental leader in AI-driven innovation.

The announcement was made by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, during the 10th Annual Symposium and Awards of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter, held at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.

AI’s Role in Sustainability and Economic Growth

Chief Nnaji, represented by Dr. Patricks Oghuma, Special Assistant to the Minister, emphasized the transformative power of AI, particularly when integrated with chemistry to address sustainability challenges.

“We are at the intersection of a revolution where artificial intelligence and chemistry converge to create new frontiers,” he stated. “This powerful synergy offers a vision of the future where innovation and sustainability work hand in hand”.

He also highlighted the gap between scientific research and real-world application, stressing the need for transformational research that directly solves real-world problems through AI.

Academic and Industry Collaboration

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, noting that AI’s ability to model, predict, and optimize is vital for reducing waste, conserving energy, and enhancing chemical processes.

“At NOUN, we remain committed to providing accessible, technology-enhanced education that directly addresses national and global challenges,” Prof. Peters said.

The symposium gathered key stakeholders in science, technology, and academia, focusing on leveraging AI to drive sustainable solutions and calling for stronger collaboration between research institutions, industry, and government.

Building a Knowledge-Driven Economy

Prof. Edu Inam, Chair of the ACS Nigeria Chapter, reinforced the society’s commitment to research mentorship and student engagement, noting that ACS continues to host campus events and outreach programs aimed at nurturing young scientific minds.

The initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI adoption, fostering economic growth, sustainability, and technological advancement across multiple sectors.


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