The Nation Newspaper

Tag: University of Benin

  • Three suspects arrested over killing of UNIBEN Professor

    Three suspects arrested over killing of UNIBEN Professor

    Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a Professor in the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Paul Otasowie of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

    The killing of Prof. Otasowie on Wednesday night is coming 24 hours after Edo ace musician, Osayomore Joseph, was abducted by gunmen.

    Rising insecurity situation in the state has heightened fears among residents in the state as several persons have been kidnapped in the past two weeks.

    Sources said late Otasowie was killed after the gunmen failed to kidnap him at his residence at Siluko Road in Oredo local government area.

    Another source said Prof. Otasowie was shot dead by the armed men in front of his residence while coming down from his storey building.

    The deceased was a former director of UNIBEN’s Industrial Training and Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme.

    Spokesman for the university, Mr. Michael Osasuyi, who confirmed the killing said the institution was yet to get full details of the killing.

    He said, “We lost him (Otasowie) Thursday. We are trying to gather the right information now (because) we are getting different versions.

    “The first version said that it was an assassination (while) the second version said that it was armed robbery, that he was inside a car and they shot him.”

    “For now, the university cannot ascertain what has transpired. But we are sending delegates now to the house to meet with the family.

    “We commiserate with the family and it is a big blow to the university. He was one of the persons who have ensured that work is done and done well.

    “The vice-chancellor, Prof. Orunmwense is saddened with this development. We just wish that this insecurity in Edo State is looked into. Just recently, (Joseph) Osayomore was kidnapped.

    “The level of insecurity now is becoming something else. The vice-chancellor commiserates with the family and the school is mourning,” the spokesman added.

    Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said three suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing of Prof. Otasowie.

    DSP Nkombe stated that the police received distressed call from neighbours in the area and when policemen got the scene, they found the Professor already dead.

    Nkombe said nothing was taken from the late Otasowie.

    On the abduction of Managing Director of Ogba Zoo and Nature Park Dr. Andy Ehanire and Osayomore, DSP Nkombe assured that the police would soon rescue them.

    He said all efforts were being put into securing their release.

  • ‘My ordeal in police custody’

    ‘My ordeal in police custody’

    A 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Uche Rickson Esegine, has regained freedom, 42 days after he was detained with four others for the death of an admission seeker, Lucky Chukwuka, on July 2. He relived his ordeal after his release last week. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (600-Level Pharmacy) and EDDY UWOGHIREN (500-Level Medicine) report.

    Forty-two days after he was detained by the police for the mysterious death of an admission seeker, Uche Rickson Esegine, a 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has regained freedom, saying his release was miraculous.

    The admission seeker, Lucky Chukwuka, died on July 2 as he returned home from a regional prayer vigil organised by the Sapele Road branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Benin City, the state capital. The deceased left for the vigil with Uche, but he allegedly died in a bus conveying them back to Benin City.

    Uche and four others, including a pastor and the bus driver, were detained over the matter. They all regained freedom last week after their lawyers secured their bail from the police. The matter is yet to be charged to court.

    “I thought everything had ended,” Uche told CAMPUSLIFE shortly after he was released, ascribing his freedom to God’s will. He described the period of his detention as a “trying moment”, saying it was a lesson he would never forget.

    Narrating his ordeal in police custody, Uche said he never believed he would regain freedom, given the gravity of the allegation levelled against him. “For all the period I was in detention, I never believed, one day, that the fight for my freedom would be over soon,” he said.

    According to him, God actually delivered him from police custody. He said: “I always had optimism within me that I would come out of the cell where I was kept, but I didn’t know that it would happen soon because we were accused of murder. Since I did not commit the offence, I knew I have a Redeemer and He will always stand by me. All through the 42 days in detention, the Bible was my companion.”

    Recalling how his travail started, Uche said: “We left our Redeemed Church Parish on June 30 to regional camp ground for a vigil. After the vigil, we were asked by the head pastor to help those going our way. Then, the late Lucky joined our bus and we left the camp ground back to Isihor.

    “We almost ran into a stationary trailer on our way back, but our driver carefully drove away from the danger. Moments after, I felt sleepy; I leaned my head on the door glass. We suddenly heard one of the people we gave a lift screaming ‘blood, blood, blood’…

    “I woke up and when we checked, we observed that Lucky was bleeding from one side of his head. The pastor quickly requested that we should go to the nearest hospital, which was Central Hospital. From there, we were referred to UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where Lucky was pronounced dead.”

    Uche was detained when he was invited by the police to give a statement on the death of the admission seeker. The battle for his release started immediately after he was detained. His colleagues staged a protest on campus, calling for his unconditional release to enable him sit for his professional examination.

    Uche said: “I was invited to give a statement in the police station, but they told me they would not allow me to leave. I was locked up in a cell.”

    Waxing philosophical about his travail, Uche said: “Sometimes, life throws at us circumstances beyond our control. But God is the only one who can deliver us.”

    Asked if he would be willing to offer help to anyone at the point of death, Uche said his action in the future would be directed by the Holy Spirit.

    He said: “I would not say because of my unpleasant experience in the last two months, I will no longer help anyone if I am in the position to help. I would be ungrateful if I do that. I believe the Holy Spirit would direct my steps and actions if I need to help anyone again.”

    His said his detention was because of the bad method of police investigation, noting that the police told them that they needed to bring the late Lucky’s body to the police station before taking it to the hospital.

    “It was in a pathetic situation that we found ourselves. So, if we see an accident victim on the way, instead of taking the person to a hospital, the police said we should have taken such person to a police station first. It doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

    Commenting on Uche’s release, a 600-Level Pharmacy student, Anthony Ehimare, who was among those who held rallies for his release, said Uche’s freedom proved that he was innocent of the allegation.

    Anthony said: “God will never allow an innocent person to suffer for what he does not know anything about. Every student at the faculty can vouch for Uche and we all appreciate the kind of person he is. Despite his ordeal, he never became gloomy. He came out cheerful.”

    Anthony wondered how the police would want people to help accident victims when such person could be held liable for whatever fate the victims suffer. Condemning Uche’s detention, Anthony said many may be unwilling to help people in danger to avoid police trouble.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, the UNIBE Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Osemudiamen Ogbidi, said he was confident Uche would be released based on the statement made and the autopsy result. He praised students for joining the rallies to draw attention to Uche’s ordeal. He hailed the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Faraday Orumwense, for supporting the student while in detention.

    The union president urged students to always have their Identity (Id) Cards with them whenever they leave the campus for religious and extra-curricular activities.

    The union’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Goodnews Ehiabhi, said Uche’s freedom was a victory for all students. “The day Uche was to be charged to court, students turned out in their numbers to support one of their own. We had to plead with students to go back, so we don’t cause chaos in the court room. It is this kind of spirit that can make change possible in our country,” he stated.

  • World Coconut Day: Don urges FG to formulate policies to boost investment

    World Coconut Day: Don urges FG to formulate policies to boost investment

    Prof. MacDonald Idu has called on the Federal Government to formulate a policy that will attract investment in the coconut sector as the world celebrates World Coconut Day.

    Idu, of the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that the country could make earnings and investments in the sector.

    According to him, as the world celebrates World Coconut Day, government should support investment in the coconut sector,

    He cited Brazil and other countries as having huge investment in coconut business.

    “The Federal Government needs to formulate policies that will encourage investments in coconut business in the country.

    “Today, Nigerians are feasting on coconuts from Cotonou, Ghana and other countries which to me is ridiculous.

    “We have the shores and everything in this country to grow the plant. We also have research institutes with coconut as one of their mandates.

    “The government can put in money into the institutes and their research work on coconut to make it blossom and generate revenue for the country.

    “They can also fund small scale private sector investors in coconuts. This will generate employment and people taking off the streets,” Idu said.

    The don said that investors could be trained on how to produce and package their coconuts related products properly and export them to other countries.

    He said that the second name for coconut oil was “Tree of Life”, adding that all parts of the fruit was useful.

    Idu said that Nigeria has the best type of coconut in the world.

    “This means that we have something that we can show to the world that will improve on our daily living.

    “There are many things that coconut can do. It serves as food and medicine. Coconut oil is multipurpose oil; there are about 200 uses of coconuts.

    “You can use it to soften your skin, reduce sugar level, prevent wrinkles, premature grey hair or hair lost. It can be used to prevent and treat mosquito bite.

    “Government should formulate policies that will encourage investment in coconut to produce range of products that will help the people,’’ Idu said.

    NAN reports that Sept. 2 has been designated as Coconut Day by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) with headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.

    All major coconut-growing countries including members of the APCC join in the celebration.

    The annual celebration is aimed at creating awareness on the importance of coconut and its potential.

    In Nigeria, the Association of Coconuts Oil Extractors of Nigeria recognise and celebrate this day.

  • ‘I sleep and wake up in pains’

    ‘I sleep and wake up in pains’

    A 200-Level University of Benin (UNIBEN) student, Ndubuisi Igwala, may have his arms amputated because of a festering ulcer. The sickle-cell anaemia patient needs N1 million for a plastic surgery to stop the decaying tissues on his arms. EDDY UWOGHIREN (500-Level Medicine and Surgery) and EZEKIEL EFEOBOKHAN (600-Level Pharmacy) report.

    On a warm Friday afternoon, our reporters received a distress call from University of Benin (UNIBEN) student living at Ekosodin, close to the campus.

    At the entrance of 42, Edo Street, where the caller lives, a young man with festering ulcer on his arms was waiting for us. He smiled when he saw our reporters. But, his countenance changed as he led our reporters into his room.

    One could tell all was not well with Ndubuisi Igwala, a 200-Level student, as he struggled to sit and rest his swollen arms on a pillow. The 29-year-old is a sickle-cell anaemia patient. He is the only surviving child of his parents’ three children.

    The disease, which he got from his parents, has broken him, physically and psychologically. He learnt about his sickle-cell condition when he was 11, following a life-threatening crisis in primary school.

    Since then, he has been having bouts of crisis. The festering wounds on his arms are evidence of his crisis, which could lead to amputation, if something is not done fast.

    As he relived his story, Ndubuisi fought back tears. “I feel pains all over my body. It is like a fluid of fire running through my body and this is the reality I have to deal with daily,” he said.

    He added: “I was 11 years old when I was told I am a sickle-cell victim. It never made any sense to me, because I was in primary school then and I barely understood what that statement meant. I returned from school one day and I felt great pains all over my body. My parents gave me some drugs, then the pain subsided. When I asked them why I always felt such pain, they told me I was a sickle-cell victim.”

    Ndubuisi’s two siblings, who were also victims, died at the age of 12 and six months.

    When he became aware of his sickle-cell condition, Ndubuisi vowed never to allow it  limit him in life. He said he would fight the disease with all he has and also champion a cause to help other sickle-cell patients cope with the disease.

    His determination led him through secondary school, where he finished among the best graduating pupils.

    He got admission into UNIBEN in 2008 to study Agricultural Economics and Extension. Ndubisi was among the best students in his first and second year.

    “I studied hard, despite my regular sickle-cell crisis,” he said.

    Things, however, turned sour for his family when his father lost his job.

    Ndubuisi said: “The whole story changed for us when my dad was sacked. Because, we all had to depend on mother’s meagre income to survive; there was no money for me to buy drugs to manage my sickle-cell condition and also to pay my fees. I deferred my admission. I couldn’t write the exam the following year, because I didn’t prepare as a result of my crisis. Then, the university advised me to withdraw.”

    Determined to continue his education, despite his challenges, Ndubuisi sought  admission into UNIBEN’s school of part-time, where he is now studying.

    Describing how he feels whenever he has crisis, he said: “The pain is something I will not wish for my enemy. I sleep and wake up with severe pains. It is more like a fluid of fire running through my veins. Without the necessary drugs, the pain could last for days.”

    To stop the festering ulcer on his arms, Ndubuisi must undergo a plastic surgery. The ulcer, it was learnt, developed because of excessive injections and incisions. If the surgery is not done on time, Ndubuisi risks losing his arms to the bacteria-infested wounds.

    His father, who now does menial job to sustain the family, cannot afford to pay the N1 million for the plastic surgery at the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

    Ndubuisi said: “Aside the severe pains I deal with, I am at the stage of losing my hands. I have had too many injections and incisions, which have resulted in these wounds on both my hands. They became infected months ago, bringing out pus with bad smells.

    “My hands are gradually becoming weak; I can barely use them. I depend solely on friends and neighbours, who come here to help me with basic chores daily. There is a friend who helps me in cleaning and covering the ulcers.”

    Ndubisi believes he would survive and live long, unlike his siblings.

    In an emotion-laden voice, he said: “I have hope. I have faith and I believe in God, who has brought me this far. I believe God will see me through to the end of this crisis. God possibly brought you (CAMPUSLIFE reporters) around to help me put my story to the public to read. I believe there is someone who will come to my rescue and help me overcome this pain.”

    When our reporters visited the UBTH, the medical personnel in Burns and Plastic Surgery unit of the Department of Surgery, declined to speak. They said they needed a directive from the hospital management to talk.

    However, Dr. Joseph Okonkwo of Excellence Medical Centre in Benin City described Ndubuisi’s story as “heartbreaking”. He said it was the outcome of people’s reluctance to go for medical test and counselling when choosing life partner.

    He said: “This is why people should not be blinded by love. Many have refused to go for genotype check and counselling. I meet prospective couples with as genotype and after counselling, you find them still going ahead to get married, with the belief that God will perform a  miracle. They end up coming back with sickle-cell children. People are ignorant and stubborn.

    “Ndubuisi is possibly suffering hand-and-foot syndrome. The pains he goes through are component of the vaso-occlusive crisis, which results from severe hypoxic injury and infraction that cause pain in the affected region. That is one of the complications of sickle-cell anaemia. The solution is to undergo reconstructive surgery as soon as possible to save his hands.’’

     

     

  • UNIBEN opens tree planting campaign

    Authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has kicked-off tree planting exercise within the Ugbowo campus of the institution to check natural disaster and add to the aesthetic value of the university.

    It said the exercise was is in line with its commitment to increase students’ appreciation of the green environment as well as achieve their academic goals.

    Speaking at a brief ceremony to mark the exercise at the Faculty of Education, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, assured that the tree planting exercise would be appreciated by future students.

    Orumwense urged the institution’s Dean of Faculties to ensure the exercise is carried in all their departments.

    “It is a welcome development. It will protect our infrastructure from wind and other natural disasters. The timing is appropriate.

    “I pray that God will nurture the trees to grow and serve the purpose,” he said.

    Dean, Faculty of Education of the University, Prof. Sunday Iyamu who inspired the campaign, said it was hinged on the need to enhance the aesthetics of the institution and protect its.

  • NUGA: UNIBEN student drowns in River Benue

    NUGA: UNIBEN student drowns in River Benue

    A yet to be identified student of the University of Benin has drowned in River Benue, on the closing day of  Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA)  in Makurdi.

    Dr Omeche Onoja, Chairman, NUGA games medical and sanitation subcommittee confirmed the incident.

    The name of the student was not disclosed.

    Onoja said the student had gone to the river to swim when the incident occurred.

    She said his corpse had been deposited at Madonna Hospital in Makurdi.

    ” We had a distress call from some students of the situation but on reaching the river, we found the lifeless body of the student, who has been identified by his colleagues. He was said to have participated in some games.

    “The whole incident could have been avoided,” she said.

    The Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games was hosted by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM).

    Fifty-seven universities participated.

  • I’m sad to be only surviving cabinet member of Ogbemudia – Clark

    I’m sad to be only surviving cabinet member of Ogbemudia – Clark

    The only surviving cabinet member of late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that the decision to establish the University of Benin shocked them cabinet members.

    Chief Clark who spoke to newsmen after the Service of Songs for Dr. Ogbemudia at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium said UNIBEN established as Midwest Institute of Technology helped to unify the country after the Nigeria civil war.

    Clark who served as Federal Commissioner of Information under late Ogbemudia said he felt sad to be the only surviving cabinet member of Ogbemudia.

    He said Ogbemudia helped Gowon to unify the country by building schools in some of the then Eastern states.

    He said, ‎”Even though, he (Ogbemudia) was 84, it was sad to me. It came to me as a rude shock. You see me sitting down here. But I am today, the only one surviving out of all members of his cabinet. So, you can imagine my sadness.

    “He was a great man. He was a man of many strides. He was very nationalistic. After the war, he brought unity to the Mid-West. He did so many things; he gave jobs to the people.

    “He promoted sports everywhere. He was number one sports governor and Mid-Westerners were number one everywhere they went. He established Afuze sports centre. He established New Era Grammar School to help discover athletes.‎”

    “The establishment of the University of Benin was the most surprising achievement. When the war broke out, all Mid-Western students were driven away or they went to other universities. He established the Mid-West Institute of Technology; I was the pro-chancellor.

    “He established the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He did so many things.‎ But above all he was a very peaceful man.”

     

     

  • Edo assembly adjourns plenary in honour of Ogbemudia

    The Edo House of Assembly on Monday adjourned its plenary session for eight days in honour of the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, who died at the age of 84 years.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, the Deputy Speaker and member, representing (APC-Uhunmwode) Constituency, moved motion for the adjournment under matters of urgent public importance.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late elder statesman, who died on March 9, was governor of the old Mid-West region and later Bendel State, now Edo and Delta.

    Moving the motion, Ativie said that Ogbemudia had brought unquantifiable development to the defunct Bendel State.

    “We can all attest to the massive road construction and infrastructure development during his tenure as the governor of this region.

    “He founded the Mid-West Institute of Technology, now University of Benin, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Palm House, among others,” she said.

    According to her, the assembly commiserates with his family and the entire people of Edo and Delta.

    Other lawmakers took turns to eulogise Ogbemudia for his contributions to the development of the state and Nigeria in general.

    The Assembly also directed all institutions across the state to fly the nation’s flag at half-mast in honour of the late elder statesman.

    The Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, described the death of Ogbemudia as a loss to Edo, saying that he would forever be remembered for his vision for the defunct Bendel State.

    Okonoboh, however, directed that the resolution of the House should be sent to Gov. Godwin Obaseki. 

  • Ize-Iyamu promises scholarship, bursary

    Ize-Iyamu promises scholarship, bursary

    Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has promised to pay bursary as well as give scholarships to Edo students in tertiary institutions.

    This, he said, is to guarantee access to quality and affordable education.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu spoke at campaign rally at Ekosodin, a satellite community which serves as residence for thousands of students of University of Benin.

    Ize-Iyamu said it was pathetic that the APC government neglected the community in terms of  provision of roads, water supply and electricity despite huge votes recorded from the community.

    He said, “I was one of the beneficiaries of the Bursary scheme introduced by the defunct Bendel state Governor, the late Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli as an undergraduate in UNIBEN. The bursary helped our parents to a great extent in offsetting such expenses like books and our feeding”.

    “Under the Simple Agenda of my government if by the grace of God you elect me as governor, I plan to pay all Edo students in higher institutions of learning bursaries. For those who are exceptionally brilliant we will give them scholarships to attain academic heights because they are a pride to our state “.

    “I am proud to be a University of Benin graduate. I also lived for one year in Ekosodin as an undergraduate. The place has always enjoyed a very high population of youths and business people. And as a host community of the University, I believe it deserves more government attention by way of development. What I see here is appalling”.

    He urged eligible voters to take APC money but vote for the PDP.

  • ‘Four million Nigerians are sickle cell anaemia patients’

    A professor of pharmacology at the University of Benin, Professor Hope Obianwu Wednesday said over 4 million Nigerians are sickle cell anaemia patients.

    Speaking at the University of Benin International Symposium/Doctoral Colloquium titled “Drug discovery in a changing world”, he said the only cure for sickle cell “though funny” is marijuana which is identified as a narcotic.

    “My research on sickle cell anemia which we have used and proved the efficacy is Indian hemp for the proper treatment of sickle cell anemia that is the good, the bad and the ugly side of marijuana.”

    Representative of Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company at the event, Luke Agbo said Pfizer Company in partnership with the University of Benin believes in making the world a healthier place.

    “Partnering with the university in programmes with this will help expand the broad of knowledge.” he said.

    He added that, the lecture exposes students and stakeholders in the medical sector the opportunity to appreciate science noting that,” Pfizer is doing a lot of work to enable our local scientists to develop strengthen that capacity and also trying to create an enabling environment for young intellectuals, particularly the medical and pharmaceutical students.”  

    A professor of Pharmacology from the University College London Professor Humphry Rang  called on governments to invest in research into drugs and cure to advance medical practice in the country.

    Rang enumerated the benefits of modern medicine, saying the rate at which new medicines are introduced remained as high as ever.

    The event was supported by various organisations and companies including Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company and several others.

    He said the increasing emphasis on identifying and exploiting new drug targets was a strategy “exemplified by the development of first beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, ACE inhibitors and statins.

    According to him, “much has changed in biomedicine in the last thirty years, most notably the growing importance of molecular and cell biology, and genomics, changes which have provided many new techniques and therapeutic opportunities, but also thrown up new challenges for the industry”.

    He said drug discovery depended largely on the support of the government because of huge financial involvement just as he called for international donors supports.

    For instance, he said it cost him $1 billion to get into the discovery of drugs for certain ailments.