COVID-19: ex-lautech student and his colleague making further research in d USA to develop vaccine

Ex- Student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Mujeeb Shittu and his colleague his colleague Femi Afolabi both Doctoral students at the Michigan Technological University, United States of American have pioneered a research on Covid-19, 

The putative mechanism by which zinc can improve the activity of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine(HCQ/CQ) in the management of Covid-19 was stated.

Explaining the implications of the research, Shittu  said “Zinc is referred to as an essential trace element because it is required in small amount for human health, since our bodies does not store it ,it must be constantly consumed to maintain homeostasis”.

“One way zinc is essential in COVID-19 treatment is that it may slow down the replication of the virus by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme RNA in infected cells of the host”.

“Based on this mechanism, we opined that the administration of HCQ or CQ alone might not be effective against the treatment of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-COV-2) especially in a zinc deficient patient ,therefore we recommend clinical trials based on a synergistic administration of  Zinc and HCQ against SARS-COV-2 be conducted”, he pointed out.

This article titled – “Improving the efficacy of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine against SARS-CoV-2 may require Zinc additives – A better synergy for future COVID-19 clinical trials” 8has gained acclaims from respected academics and fellow researchers across the globe. Following the recommendation, a group of researchers from Grossman School of Medicine at the New York University published a retrospective observational study to compare hospital outcomes amongst patients who received HCQ ,azithromycin  and zinc against patients who received HCQ and arithromycin alone, according to Afolami,it was discovered that the addition of zinc sulfate to the treatment of Covid-19 patients increased the frequency of their recovery and discharge. He said it also decreased the need for ventilation, admission to Intensive Care Unit and mortality rates.

Prominent researchers such as Pharmacist David Kossor of the US National Institute of Health, in an email to the authors, said he had advised his colleagues on the need to use zinc supplements for better COVID-19 treatment outcome. Also, several US journalists and researchers have used this article has a reference point to advise US COVID-19 team led by Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on the way forward in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment.

It will be recalled that The Nation and other news agencies reported that chloroquine trial will be continued in Nigeria, according to the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which contrary to the suspension of trials by the World Health Organization. 

Shittu and Afolami however strongly recommend to the NAFDAC to look into their research and the ones published by the New-York researchers.

“There is no need for NAFDAC to repeat the same clinical trial that has caused mixed reactions in several countries” ,they advised.

The duo, being patriotic Nigerians, feel the need and responsibility to advise the Nigerian government on the way forward in the fight against COVID-19. “We therefore urge the Minister of Health ,the NCDC and other relevant authorities to consider combining zinc with HCQ and CQ in their upcoming clinical trials”.

“We would like the Nigerian government and the Lagos State, being the epicenter of the virus outbreak to access the potential therapeutic synergistic mechanism of zinc sulfate with hydroxychloroquine in their clinical trials”, they recommended.

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DAVIDO: @davidoofficial ,davido fractured his leg

His lawyer, Bobo F. Ajudua shared photos of the singer grappling with crutches while wearing a medical walking boot for broken foot. 

He wrote in his caption: 'How some people chose to enter June. Nawa. At some point yesterday we were literally thanking God there are no shows right now. Get well soon bro @davidoofficial.'

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OYO STATE GOVERNOR:sheyi makinde considers measures for the reopening of religious centre

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Monday, released a food advisory, which he said experts have certified as immune boosters that could help the human body prevent attacks of COVID-19.

The governor, who is also the chairman of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force, while addressing newsmen at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, shortly after a meeting of the Task Force, said that the food advisory was certified by Professor Olatunde Farombi, a Professor of Biochemistry and Head of Department of Biochemistry, at the University of Ibadan.

statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also quoted the governor as saying that the state Task Force would reveal the identity of the company with 38 COVID-19 positive cases among its members of staff in Ibadan.

The governor also said that his administration was in talks with religious bodies over the possible relaxation of ban on religious gathering.

He stated that he would meet with religious leaders before the end of the week to review procedures for reopening of religious centres.

The governor said: “We will issue an advisory based on the advice given by Professor Olatunde Farombi, a Professor of Biochemistry and Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science.

“This is on foods and natural products useful as preventive measures against COVID-19 and other viral illnesses. For instance, we have bitter Kola, turmeric, zinc, ginger, garlic, citrus fruits and bitter leaf -“they are all readily available in our environment.”

Professor Farombi had, in the paper submitted to the Task Force, said: “Our research group has investigated the above agents in the last 25 years with publications in recognised journals. Some of the works have led to the award of Ph.D. thesis adjudged to be the best by NUC and the University of Ibadan. Some patents have also come out of these studies.”

e professor further stated: “Oxidative stress, hyper inflammation and compromised immune system are very common pathways by which coronavirus attacks the body system and people can then come down with the COVID-19.

“We have indigenous food substances and natural products available to people that have been shown experimentally to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

They also serve as immunomodulators. They can be taken regularly as prophylaxis or as preventive measures against COVID-19 and other viral illnesses.”

Speaking further on the containment of COVID-19 in the state, Makinde said: “Regarding our directives on social distancing during this pandemic, we have received requests from religious leaders about relaxing the ban on gatherings to allow religious services to hold.

“We are currently in the accelerated phase in the transmission of Covid-19 in Oyo State and the expert advice is that transmission occurs more easily in enclosed spaces, so we cannot at this time relax this directive.

“However, the experts are carrying out a risk situation analysis and would be sending in their reports before the end of May, and this will determine our next steps.”

Also speaking, former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hopsital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge, commended the state government for its support, noting that the discharge of 25 patients in 48 hours showed that the Task Force was on top of the situation.

 said: “On Saturday, 11 patients were discharged and yesterday, fourteen patients were discharged, making 25 within the space of 48 hours. And we expect that in another 24 hours, more patients are expected to leave the centre hale and hearty.

“What is more exciting is that before they leave, we also want to check their immunoglobin level, which is a reflection of how much antibody they have been able to muster against this virus. What we have found so far is that, with good nutrition and with the regimen we have put in place, many of them are developing what we call protective antibodies and they are having a high IGG values.

“But if, for any reason, a patient has tested positive twice on admission, we repeat this regimen that I mentioned but we will continue with the zinc and vitamin C.

“So far so good, we are very grateful for the tremendous support of the state government in ensuring that the patients in isolation are doing well.”

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NEW OSUN REC: buhari appointed TELLA as osun rec

2 June 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr Tella Rahmon Adeniran as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Osun state.

This was confirmed in a letter of request to the Senate for consideration and approval of the appointment by president Muhammadu Buhari. 

e letter was read by the president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan at the Tuesday plenary. Mouthpiece NGR gathered that President Buhari also submitted the name of James Jiya Kolo to the Senate as a replacement for Daniel James Kolo, whom he earlier nominated for appointment as a commissioner of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) representing Kwara state.

The two appointments are subject to the approval of the Senate and have been sent to the upper legislative chamber for consideration

Referring the two requests to the relevant committees of the Senate, Senator Lawan asked the committee to work on those names for further legislative action.

Until his appointment, Dr Tella Adeniran who hale from Osogbo is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Management, Osun State University.

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