The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Prof. Ernest Izevbigie

  • BIU VC urges workers to be committed

    The Vice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, has urged the university’s members of staff to renew their commitment to their duties as they resume for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    He gave the advice during the 2017 orientation programme organised as a call to commitment for workers ahead of the new academic session.

    Izevbigie, in his address, praised the workers for their unflinching loyalty and unswerving allegiance but counseled them to emulate the cooperation of principal officers.

    Highlighting the achievements of the 2016/2017 academic session, he said: “Recently we came back from JAMB stakeholders meeting where Benson Idahosa University ranked the 10th most preferred private university in the country.  Our products are doing well. The 2015 best graduating student, Ibude Ben Ikem, just got a scholarship from University of Greenwich, Southeast London to study forensics.”

    He reassured the public and the university’s stakeholders that the institution would continue to strive towards the vision of its founding father to rank among the best universities in the world.

    In the new session, the Vice Chancellor said the entire academic programmes of the university would be reviewed, saying new programmes had been introduced to enhance the global competitiveness.

    Speaking on the “Vision and Mission of Benson Idahosa University”, the Director, Campus Life Division, Rev. Laurie Idahosa praised the Management for the giant developmental strides recorded, saying that leadership is discovering the University’s destiny and having the courage to follow it.

    “If you don’t have a direction or vision, nothing will work. When you have a clear definition, it is easier to succeed,” she added.

    In his remarks, the Registrar, Rev. Mike Okagbare, urged all members of staff to be result-driven. He mentioned the university has adopted the e-Staff system of administration for easy assessment.

    He also enjoined all workers to set attainable goals in the forthcoming academic session.

    Speaking on the “Church of God Mission Intl Tenets of Faith”, Rev Eghosa Igunbor, said the institution should not deviate from the church’s beliefs.

    “Tenets of Faith ensure that there is no deviation from what the church believes. Our church is successful because its tenets of faith are in God’s word,” he said.

    He urged the workers to make sure the word of God remained the driving force of the University.

    Special prayers were offered for the University to kick start the new academic session.

     

  • ‘Buhari means well for Nigerians’

    ‘Buhari means well for Nigerians’

    The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie has urged Nigerians to give the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration a chance, saying he means well for all Nigerians irrespective of our tribal differences.

    He disclosed this on Thursday at the Benson Idahosa University Annual Staff Orientation.

    He noted that the President is a disciplined man working towards creating a better Nigeria.

    He said: “To govern a country as big as Nigeria, you need a lot of vigour, support, and good people who will work with you to drive home your positive intentions.”

    “But I think he needs to revisit some of the people working for him, this is mid-term and people are beginning to give their own assessment.”

    “Let him look at deliverables, I am always particular about deliverables because that is what propels me to do certain things and attain milestones.” he said.

    Prof. Izevbigie urged the President to look at the novelty and not to settle for the status quo, adding that it is never wrong to sort new ways of getting things done.

    He further encouraged him to seek advice from elder statesmen who have demonstrated capacity in leadership and good governance.

    On the clamour for restructuring, he said political scientists know better. In my area, Biochemistry, Medicine, I am not afraid to speak my mind.

    “On the issue of Fanta and sprite, Benson Idahosa University has been on the forefront in bringing the scientific consensus to bear. So when it comes to politics, let the Political Scientists pontificate because I can’t claim to be an expert outside my field.”
    Speaking at the Staff Orientation programme, he charged all staff members of the University to renew their commitment to their respective duties as they resume for the 2017/2018 Academic Session.

    According to him, the essence of the Annual Staff Orientation exercise is to further gain employee’s commitment, reduce anxiety among staff members and place Benson Idahosa University as the preferred brand among tertiary schools in Nigeria.

    Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie expressed his appreciation to God as well as to the University Council, Management and Staff for their commitment, hard work and dedication towards the successful completion and achievements recorded in the last academic year.

    He described the cooperation of his Principal Officers as unique and commended members of Staff for their unflinching loyalty and unswerving allegiance.

    Highlighting the achievements of the 2016/2017 Academic Session, he said the University has continued to demonstrate capacity in academic excellence.

    He said, “Recently we just came back from JAMB stakeholder’s summit where Benson Idahosa University ranked 10th most preferred private university in the country.  Our products are doing well. The 2015 best graduating student, Ibude Ben Ikem, just got a scholarship from University of Greenwich, southeast London to study forensics.”

    He announced to the staff members on the University, the University’s undying interest in grantmanship and research. He further reassured members of the public and the University’s Stakeholders that the institution will continue to strive towards the vision of its founding father in making Benson Idahosa University rank among the best Universities in the world.

    Prof. Izevbigie hinted that the entire academic programmes of the University would be reviewed while new programmes have been introduced to enhance the global competitiveness of the institution.

  • Fanta, Vitamin C: ‘NBC must withdraw product now’

    Fanta, Vitamin C: ‘NBC must withdraw product now’

    The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie has insisted that taking Vitamin C with Fanta and sprite soft drink could cause cancer and other health illness.

    He expressed concern over the non-compliance with the order of a Lagos High Court mandating the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to compel NBC to include a written warning that it would be dangerous to take the contents of the soft drinks with Vitamin C.

    He said the 90 days given by the court has since expired and that the NBC should have withdrawn the products until all the issues were resolved.

    Speaking at a press briefing at the university senate chambers, he said that it was worrisome that nothing had changed since the order from the court mandating NAFDAC to compel the Nigeria bottling company (NBC) to do the needful, adding that it was wrong for organizations to place profit ahead of human safety.

    Prof. Izevbigie, said that the institution stood by its research findings on the danger of taking Vitamin C with benzoic acid as in Fanta and Sprite, saying it was done in line with the mandate given to the University to impact knowledge, research and service to the country.

    “It is the university that should serve as an umpire. It is about us to give our expert opinion.”

    He explained that the review of the Scientific literature which examined the effect of temperature (20 o C, 60 o C and 100 o C) on the conversion of Benzoic acid to benzene shows, “an increase in benzene formation of as the temperature increased from 20 degree Celsius to 60 degree Celsius by approximately three fold (300%) in the absence of Vitamin C, and tenfold (1000%) in the presence of Vitamin C in 24 hours. It cannot be concluded the formation of benzene does not occur at 30 o C and 40 o C”.

    He said the colourant used in Fanta, the yellow sunset, had been implicated in cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, allergies and hyper activity in children when the right amount is not used.

    On benzoic acid, he said the Federal Ministry of Health has explanation to give on the reason why standard given for it in soft drinks was put at 250mg/kg as opposed to 150mg/kg that was obtainable in the United Kingdom and Ghana.

    He further said that azo dyes do not occur in nature, they metabolise due to the presence of azo reductase enzymes in the body, which reduce the azo group to produce two compounds with amino groups.

    Prof Izevbigie, who noted that though the Nigerian standard was high owing to high temperature and that it still falls within the international standard, said pasteurization and the use of carbon dioxide can achieve the same goal as the use of high benzoic acid without the added health risks.

    He urged NAFDAC to live up to its responsibility in scientific research and regulation, adding that the issue of human safety must override business profit.

    He recommended a “reduction of the sodium benzoate concentration to below 150mg/kg, a removal of Vitamin C as an ingredient in Fanta due to concern for benzene toxicity and the use of natural dye as a replacement for the colourant in Fanta.”

  • I almost dropped out of school, says valedictorian

    I almost dropped out of school, says valedictorian

    Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo State, graduated 721 students at its 13th convocation held last week. The Best Graduating Student, Faithful Bob-Manuel, told the gathering how the recession almost truncated his dreams. EVERISTUS ONWUZURIKE reports.

    Faithful Bob-Manuel is the overall Best Graduating Student of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo State. The graduate of Microbiology received five academic awards at the school’s 13th convocation last week.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ernest Izevbigie, disclosed that 60 of the 721 graduands bagged First Class, while 144 finished with Second Class (Upper Division). He added that 364 graduands bagged Second Class (Lower Division) and 38 finished with a Third Class. Also, the school produced 115 post-graduate students.

    Faithful had a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.97 on a scale of 4.0. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the ceremony as he stepped out to give testimony and receive the awards.

    According to him, his graduation would have been delayed due to his inability to pay his final year fee.

    He said: “Three weeks before this convocation, I was told I would not graduate because I paid my school fee late. I had said I would not attend this convocation since I would not be a proper part of it. To my surprise, God came through for me and my name was added to the graduating students’ list at the last minute. That was when the Governing Board realised that my CGPA was the highest.”

    Faithful described his academic feat as “God’s favour”, adding that the accomplishment was a product of hard work.

    He said: “The feat achieved was through God’s favour. He rewarded my hard work with this exceptional achievement. Most times, I would read all night just to be prepared. I was nicknamed ‘all-night king’, because I usually didn’t go to bed. I am happy to be the first Microbiology student to graduate with the overall best result.”

    Faithful’s itinerary in school was not all about reading books. He had a robust social life and engaged in extra-curricular activities.

    He said: “I was involved in many extra-curricular activities, including sports. I was the captain of the BIU male chess team. But, every hour I spent outside academic activities was compensated for at night when I returned to class to read. I believe education was my major aim in school.”

    The valedictorian said he never had a girlfriend, because doing so would distract him and affect his studies. He said Bible was his source of motivation throughout his undergraduate days.

    “I believe everything I need to achieve my life goals is in the words of God. All I have to do is declare to myself and believe in the declaration. When my family was going through financial crisis and it seemed I would not sit for my final year exams, I kept reading Philippians 1:6.”

    Faithful said his journey to academic excellence did not come without challenges. He revealed how the economic recession affected his family.

    He said: “My major challenge was finance. When government declared the economy was in recession, the financial status of my family was terribly affected. I almost dropped out of school, because there was no money to pay my fees. My dad sold his car to save the situation and by the grace of God, it was a worthy sacrifice.”

    Unlike some First Class graduates who want to take up well-paid jobs in money-spinning industries, Faithful wants to be a lecturer.

    “My aim is to impart the knowledge I have acquired to the coming generation. That would give me a lifetime satisfaction. I want to lecture in a university and educate future generations. I wish to start my Master’s degree and be the youngest professor.”

  • ‘Bitter leaf good for cancer management’

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU) Edo State, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie has stressed the efficacy of bitter leaf in the cure and management of cancer. He has therefore advocated the use of bitter leaf for effective management of cancer; especially breast cancer.

    Prof. Izevbigie said that they have discovered a formula that is used as dehydrate supplement that can be used in management of breast cancer, prostate cancer and prostate enlargement.

    He spoke while delivering a lecture at a one-day seminar organised by the National Cancer Preventive Programme (NCPP) that organised free mass cancer screening and treatment programme held in Benin-City, the Edo State capital.

    Prof. Izevbigie said: “I do not think that one of the most popular therapeutics can be curative. Cure would be effected and the disease will never come back. With cancer, no scientist has 100 per cent assurance of curing the disease.

    “It may come through relations, but, there are no guarantee that it would not come back.”

    Prof. Izevbigie further explained that the best way to prevent cancer was through early detection, regular physical exercise, fruits and vegetable consumption and weight control mechanism.

    He noted that low intake of fruits and vegetables could lead to cancer, even as he added that it was possible for anybody to suffer from cancer through much consumption of cow milk because of the different types of ingredients used in processing it.