Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, has lauded former President Goodluck Jonathan and the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola for the role they played in funding research into the Ebola scourge in the country.
The former INEC boss, who gave the commendation while speaking at his investiture as a fellow of the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine and as a fellow of the West African College of Natural Medicine, in Abuja, said that the role played by former President Goodluck Jonathan, while he was in office, in funding research into the Ebola scourge leading to its control in the country was commendable.
He also praised the governor of Lagos State, and current Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola SAN, what he called his pragmatic approach in also putting money into the Ebola research when the scourge hit Nigeria.
According to Iwu, the quick funding of research into the scourge was instrumental to its immediate containment despite the few deaths it recorded.
The Professor of Medicine also re-emphasized the importance of research funding in the containment of epidemics and other health challenges.
He stated that President Jonathan had released N2b, through the Federal Ministry of Health, to fund research into Ebola. He noted that a research firm linked to him was involved in the effort to find solutions to the Ebola menace.
Prof. Iwu recalled that the governor of Lagos State, Fashola SAN, also publicly called on him to help lead research into the menace having also made available funds to achieve same.
He called on Nigerians not to rest on their oars over the containment of Ebola noting that the virus is still rampant in its place of origin.
He said: “Just two hours flight and one could get in contact with a possible Ebola victim. That tells us that more needed to be done to eradicate the virus.
“We must continue with the hand washing practice. It is the first major step to contain the virus.
“We must know that a major step in medicine is not just treatment of patients but care and control of situations that could lead to major challenges.”
He thanked the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natura Medicine for its pioneering role in the development of alternative medicine in Nigeria and pledged to work hard for the growth of alternative medicine practice in Nigeria.
The pro, however,r noted that there is a need to enhance funding into research and development of alternative medicine.
He called on government and the private sector to invest more resources into research for alternative medicine adding that what the Jonathan government did, though not enough, went a long way towards advancing research on Ebola.
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