Ohanaeze urges FG to support research findings on HIV/AIDS

Nnia Nwodo

Apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural  organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the Federal Government to support a senior lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,  Umuahia, Abia State, Prof. Maduike Ezeibe, who recently claimed he  discovered the cure for HIV/ AIDS.

A statement by Chuks Ibegbu, National Deputy Publicity Secretary  of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the President-General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo has condemned a situation “where research findings in Nigeria are ethnicised rather than critically investigated with a view to ascertaining its veracity. That act discourages research and discoveries.

“Rather than vilify the hard working Dr Ezeibe, the Federal Government, through appropriate agencies, should investigate his claims and authenticate it or disprove it using all known modern scientific methods.”

Nwodo, who called on the National Assembly to intervene in the matter, said: “In other climes, researchers are supported and not discouraged. HIV/AIDS is ravaging many African countries and if Professor Ezeibe’s discovery is factual, then it is goodbye to one of the ravaging human calamities in the world.”

The statement further quoted Chief Nwodo as calling for the restructuring of Nigeria and creation of more states and local government areas in Igboland.