The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BIU

  • 15 killed in Biu suicide blast

    Several people are reportedly killed in a suicide attack that took place at a Central Market in Biu town, Biu local government area of Borno State.

    Biu is one of the several local government areas that had not been captured by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

    The insurgents also suffered a huge loss when they attempted to attack the town last month as they were ambushed by soldiers.

    An eye witness, Isa Mohammed, who went to the market to buy commodities, told our correspondent on phone that about seven people were instantly killed during the deadly explosion which took place in a crowded market in the area.

    “I was at the gate of the market when the incident occurred. I saw seven dead people being taken to the hospital and many other injured victims were in serious pain,” Mohammed said.

    A JTF member who took part in the rescue operation at the market however said that 15 people were killed and taken to the Biu General Hospital.

    He added that people are making free blood donation to victims at the hospital.

    “We are at the General Hospital Biu helping the people that are injured and brought to the hospital. I just met with one of the doctors and he confirmed that seven people were brought in dead,while eight injured people later died, bringing the number of dead victims to 15. About 21 people are critically injured.

    “There is confusion in the town now because youths are attacking PDP flags and saying that it was because Ali Modu Sheriff, the former governor is visiting the town on campaign, that we suffered the bomb attack,” the CJTF operative added.

    A witness said the explosion occurred at exactly 3:25pm when the market was at its peak.

     

  • BIU to establish cancer centre

    BIU to establish cancer centre

    As part of efforts to help improve the health care of sufferers of cancerous ailment, which is fast ravaging the Nigerian society, authorities of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin, has disclosed plans to establish a research center to deal with the issue.

    The center, when operational, will also deal with health issues which are of great concern to human existence, including diabetes and prostate cancer.

    Disclosing this to newsmen in Benin City during the official presentation of Edotide food supplement drugs to the public, the vice chancellor of the University, Professor Macdonald Idu, said with such a breakthrough invention by a member of the BIU, succor have come to the sufferers of these ailment in Nigeria.

    He said by this common feat, the BIU has now become an affiliate of National Academic of Inventor (NAI), Florida USA, thus becoming the first university in the sub Sahara to be recognised by the Academics.

    While presenting the researcher, Professor Ernest Izevbigie, the VC said the drugs are made from extracts of bitterleaf.

    Prof. Izevbigie, who is the Deputy vice-chancellor of the Benson Idahosa University, said using local bitterleafs which is well grown in the country, has produced the drug which is now in high demand in Europe and America.

    The drug “Edotide”, according to Prof. Izevbigie, whose research focus is cancer biology and pharmacognosy, said it is very potent in the management of diabetes, prostate enlargement in men and breast cancer in women.

    Izvebigie, a professor in the area of vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) research at Jackson State University, said “We found that in using the plant material, some compounds from the extracts were able to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, later through collaborative research, we found they were also effective in other tumor cells,” he added.

    “Although, the formulations are not optimised for diabetes, they provide some health benefits to diabetes patients,” he said.