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Tag: Iwu

  • UPP condoles with ex-INEC boss Iwu over mum’s death

    UPP condoles with ex-INEC boss Iwu over mum’s death

    The United Progressive Party (UPP) has commiserated with ex-Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, on the death of his mother.

    It described her death as painful.

    A statement by the National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said: “The leadership and members of the United Progressive Party (UPP), received the news of your mother’s death with sadness.

    “A devout Christian, the late Nneoma Eunice Nkwoada Iwu was an embodiment of grace, integrity, humility and nobility, with abundant milk of human kindness which she generously dispensed to all who were privileged to know her, particularly the less-privileged.

    “She was a woman of destiny and a role model to younger women. Indeed, the demise of an adorable Mother at any age is always painful to her children as nobody can take her place in the family.

    “We enjoin the family to take solace in the fact that mama lived a fulfilled life and with her beloved husband, raised successful children like you.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this period of grief, and pray to God Almighty to console, comfort and strengthen you all.”

  • Iwu talks up Heartland’s title chances

    Iwu talks up Heartland’s title chances

    Emmanuel Iwu is confident of Heartland Football Club’s title chances in the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League, which is due to get underway on Sunday.

    The Naze Millionaires will entertain Warri Wolves in front of their fans at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in a week one fixture and the Nigeria U-23 goalkeeper says his team will make their intentions clear with maximum points.

    “We have been training hard in readiness for the new season and nothing should stop us from defeating Wolves,” the young Iwu told Goal.

    “A lot of people aren’t talking about Heartland as title contenders but we want to do the talking on the pitch. With that people will reckon with us,” he explained.

    “I’m sure of Heartland’s title credentials. We will be fine. Wolves are capable of punishing their opponent on their day. Our main objective is three points and that’s what is on our radar.”

    When Goal reminded Iwu of the game that brought him to limelight, Iwu smiled and was eager to recall the moment.

    “That was two seasons back when I made my debut in the oriental derby against Enyimba in Owerri. I won’t forget that moment, it will continue to be a part of me. I always cherish it,” he recalled.

    Iwu also expressed confidence in the ability of the Samson Siasia-led technical crew to mould a squad capable of competing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

  • Iwu, others plan expo in Abuja

    Iwu, others plan expo in Abuja

    To ensure that  more Nigerians tap into the multi-naira and FOREX opportunities in traditional medicine (TM), major stakeholders will hold a three-day event in Abuja from October 6 to 8. Herbfest 2015 with the theme- “Food as medicine: Utilisation and sustainable exploitation of African medicinal plants and natural products” is organised by Bioresources Development and Conservation (BDCP) in collaboration with Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO).

    The three -day expo will also serve as platform for Natural Health practitioners to know more about the importance, further prospects in natural products and how they can be packaged, presented and accepted in order to attract commercial values.

    Speaking on the significance of the annual event at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO) Oshodi, Prof. Maurice Iwu of BDCP said the three-day event will kick off with exhibition of registered products, raw materials presentation, and training on the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Herbal Medicinal Products. “It will also educate trainees on the skill and knowledge required in herbal plant farm cultivation to research, standardisation to production and marketing.

    According to Prof. Maurice Iwu, the need to boost the Gross Domestic Income (GDP) through herbal plants is very important, “So we don’t put all our energy on crude oil. We have a large number of people buying herbal products from India or China; these are natural plants put together by these countries with modern technology and drive. Nigeria is vast in herbal products. And with FIIRO and over 40 universities who have scientists that have researched extensively in this area, all we need is a ribbon to tie these together and achieve results. This is the reason for Herbfest,” he said.

    He said as organisers, they are hoping that those who specialise in foods will also be present to know the importance of food; like the restaurants and allied fields, as importance of health care and how they can be transferred to valuable products is invaluable.

    Explaining on further benefits of the expo, Director-General of the Federal Industrial Research Institute (FIIRO), Oshodi, Dr Gloria Elemo, said that commercialisation of herbal products had been simplified by the institute through researches it embarked upon.

    “FIRRO prides itself as home of indigenous technologies in that we have successfully worked on most of the agro-commodities available in Nigeria. Our role as an institution has been to use our expertise in research and development to add value to these practices and to transfer technology to impact on the economy.

    Also, the Director-General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Mr Etatuvie Oghene said: “As Nigeria is now advancing in herbal medicine research; all stakeholders must put hands on the deck and be doing something. Presently the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan now has traditional medicine in its curriculum. What we need is awareness.”

    The expo, in its sixth edition, is expected to be opened by the Senate President.

  • Mimiko, Yakubu, Iwu, Chukwuani, may succeed Jega

    Mimiko, Yakubu, Iwu, Chukwuani, may succeed Jega

    As the National Council of State meets on the general elections today, there were strong indications yesterday that four candidates have been short-listed to succeed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    But the adamant chairman will brief the Council on the extent of preparation for the election.

    Jega and his team have decided to go ahead with the conduct of the poll.

    The electoral commission yesterday began the distribution of sensitive materials to some states.

    The materials were ferried to the state offices of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

    The INEC chairman and his team were busy collating facts and figures yesterday to convince the Council that there was no basis for polls shift.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some forces, who are opposed to the conduct of the February 14-28 poll, have recommended that Jega be eased out  before any general election.

    Those strongly being positioned include:  are Prof. Femi Mimiko(a brother to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko who had just completed his tenure at Adekunle Ajasin University as Vice Chancellor);  INEC National Commissioner (Operations), Prof. Nuru Yakubu, a former INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and a former National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Victor Chukwuani.

    The number could increase because of alleged vested interest in who emerges as Jega’s successor.

    A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “These forces are determined to ease Jega out by citing shoddy preparation, poor distribution of PVCs, some technical incompetence and other sundry issues.

    “They have been shopping for candidates to replace Jega if they could wield influence to allow the poll delay or if they could frustrate Jega to pave the way for a new hand to manage INEC during the general election.

    A source in INEC, however, said: “We are going ahead with the poll, we are already distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials to states.

    “The INEC chairman shifted his scheduled briefing yesterday to collate more facts and figures to present before the Council of State to prove that the poll could go on without hitches.

    “Jega will appear before the Council  and make the presentation on the commission’s plans. The noise you are hearing is coming from Fifth columnists who do not want the elections to hold.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said: “The INEC chairman  will go and brief the Council on the level of our preparation.”

    In another statement, Idowu alluded to the fact that INEC will neither shift nor delay the February polls.

    He released a statement refuting a report in Reuters claiming that INEC might delay the polls.