NIGERIAN SCIENTIST DEVELOPS CANCER DRUGS FROM AFRICAN PLANTS

Mansurah Abdulazeez discusses how her visionary plant research could help in fight against tumours
Mansurah Abdulazeez is a molecular biologist at the Center for Biotechnology Research, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. Her research aims to identify potent anticancer agents in African plants. Last November, the government of Spain awarded her their Science by Women Fellowship. And in June, she won a Nigerian National Research Grant of N31 million (US $86,000) from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. The journal Nature asked Abdulazeez about her life and research.

What can you tell us about your scientific background?
Growing up, I always enjoyed science. I originally wanted to become a medical doctor, but I ended up studying biochemistry during my undergraduate studies at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. I got my master’s degree, and then my PhD there, studying antihypertensive and anticancer activities of African plants. I was also a visiting scholar at Chiang Mai University in Thailand for six months as part of my PhD research.

What does your research focus on?
My research is aimed at identifying potent, safe and effective anticancer agents from Nigerian plants. We have screened and confirmed the cytotoxic activities of extracts of the drumstick (Moringa oleifera) and soursop (Annona muricata) trees as well as the native Nigerian shrub Peristrophe bicalyculata on cervical carcinoma and fetal lung carcinoma cell lines. We also studied what anticancer mechanisms these plants exhibit. We found that these plants act in the body through a variety of mechanisms — there is no single mode of action for all plants.

Why is the study of African plants important for cancer research?
It is well documented that these plants have an enormous, largely unstudied anticancer potential. Research into herbs such as Guiera senegalensis, which is used by traditional African healers and known as ‘Sabara’ by locals, has led to the discovery of several anticancer drugs. In my view, this demonstrates how the study of African plants can result in the development of valuable drugs.

What is your advice to young African women who want to pursue science?
Participate in local and international conferences that are relevant to your fields of study, so as to keep yourself updated on cutting-edge research tools, methodologies and funding opportunities. Always ask for support from senior colleagues — and family members — whenever you need it. Remain focused, tenacious and hard working.

NHIS to deploy robust ICT to drive reforms for rapid transformation- Prof. Sambo

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) says it will deploy a robust Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to drive fundamental reforms that will transform the scheme into a result-oriented public institution.

The Executive Secretary, Prof. Mohammed Sambo said this during when he visited the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe at the National Assembly complex, in Abuja.

Mr Ayo Osinlu Head, Media & Public Relations disclosed this in a statement, on Thursday in Abuja. Osinlu said Sambo, who assumed office on July 15, had continued to inspire internal and external support for the scheme, by series of consultations aimed at building consensus around the reforms.

Sambo, while intimating the senator of his reforms and strategy, said the deployment of ICT, would solve 80 per cent of unacceptable transparency challenges in the processes.
He added that such equipment would further afford the scheme the platforms for effective, real-time monitoring and evaluation.
“The process for the fundamental reforms will transform NHIS into a result-oriented public institution, well positioned for its mandate as a catalyst for socio-economic and human capital development.
“The reforms are anchored on the tripod of three-point Rebranding Agenda, including value reorientation, transparency and accountability, while accelerating the drive to achieving universal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians,’’ sambo said.
He further highlighted ten action points from the white paper on Independent Fact Finding Panel, investigated during the recent crisis in the organisation as additional undertakings of government which aimed at repositioning the scheme.
This, he said, would particularly be in the areas of staff audit, financial management systems, procurement, internal audit and labour relations.
The NHIS Boss, however, requested the assistance of the senate committee on health, through legislative and advocacy engagements, for ongoing efforts to rebrand and reposition NHIS to operate effectively as the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
In his remark, Oloriegbe congratulated the NHIS executive secretary, describing his appointment as critical for the agency and the nation especially at this time.
Oloriegbe said there was mounting pressure for practical and quick results from the organisation under the new leadership.
He, however, promised the consistent support of the committee and the 9th senate, which he described as “a better assembly that works for the people.”
Oloriegbe advised the NHIS boss to give immediate attention to challenges of the scheme, particularly in areas of human resources, stakeholder interests and minimal coverage.

NEW LOCATION SOFTWARE TO FIGHT CRIME AND TRANSFORM NIGERIA’S LOGISTIC AND DELIVERY

The national adoption of a new addressing technology will resolve challenges faced in last mile delivery of different services, Managing Director of GridCodes Technology, Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (retd), has said.

In a statement made available in Abuja on Friday, Amoo said the new software, known as gridcodes, that locate any place on earth with the aid of Geographic Positioning System patented by his company would transform the logistics and delivery industry when adopted by the country.

According to him, the Ministry of Science and Technology has already established an inter-ministerial committee that is considering the adoption of the technology on national scale.

He said with the new technology, organisations such as banks would also easily resolve the challenges inherent in proper identification and location of customers in an analogue environment.

Amoo said, “When adopted, Gridcodes will facilitate revolutionary expansion of many verticals in commerce, regulation and governance.

“It will support last mile delivery, logistics, transportation as well as all businesses that revolve around being able to navigate reliably to where people are. In governance, for example, the challenges around achieving full compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s KYC policy will be drastically reduced.”

 He added, “This is about the first time in Nigeria’s history that the work of an indigenous inventor is being considered for national adoption. Without a doubt, this is an opportunity to showcase how President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order Five can decisively solve a critical geo-infrastructural problem that has been facing the country for years.

“Gridcodes will solve this problem as quickly as the adoption is declared by the Federal Government and at a fraction of the cost and time it took advanced economies to do the same thing. This is the kind of near instantaneous, leap-frog solutions that promoting indigenous innovation can achieve.”

According to him, the digital addressing technology leverages GIS to provide citizens an address that makes it extremely easy to navigate to homes, offices, social gatherings, places of entertainment and trade even if such places have no physical addresses.

He explained that Gridcodes digital addressing technology “is delivered to the end user via a mobile app and an associated website.”

A former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, had at the inauguration of the inter-ministerial committee said that Nigeria could effectively improve governance, boost commerce, fight crime and better manage intelligence through the adoption of Gridcodes.

Nigerian Tablet Computer Pioneer Saheed Adepoju

Saheed Adepoju, 28, is co-founder and chief visionary of the Encipher Group, a Nigerian-based technology company that has produced the country’s first tablet computer, ‘Inye’. The word Inye is derived from Nigeria’s Igala language and means ‘Number 1’. Here is an interview

What inspired your passion for personal computers?

My love affair started back when I was a mere 13 year-old in high school. I was fascinated by computer games. During my school days I met Anibe Agamah, who would later on become my co-founder at Encipher. We shared floppy disk drives with various games, and after our high school leaving exams we both set out to learn computer programming. We learnt how to code in C-language and Assembl. Anibe had a more artistic inclination and his web skills picked up and mapped out a year later. He also went on to study computer science and acquired an Msc in technology management while I ventured into software engineering.

What’s the story behind Encipher Group, and what was the inspiration for the INYE tablet computer?

Encipher was set up originally in the UK as a company which combined both strengths of the founders: Web application development and software development. This was back in June 2008. We actually set up shop when we got our first web application development job. As time went on, we decided to expand into new territories, hence our decision to branch out to making personal computers. The real inspiration for Encipher INYE is the Apple iPad. With the nature of the operating system the iPad had and its portability, we felt we had an entry point within the Nigerian market with a tablet. I had been having a look at the Android OS [operating system] since its launch in 2008 and I felt that a tablet PC running on Android OS with its open nature provided us an opportunity to get Nigerian developers building applications for it and also provided an alternative product for indigenous consumers.

Tell us about your flagship product-the Inye Tablet Computer.

The Inye tablet comes in 2 specs: INYE-1 was unveiled April 2010 and is a 7-inch resistive screen tablet. It runs android 2.1 and allows a user to connect to the internet using its inbuilt WIFI card and allows a user to also use an external 3G modem from GSM networks. It offers about 3hrs of battery life and allows HDMI output to HDMI capable devices (e.g. TV). It also allows a user to plug USB devices such as external flash drives and keyboards.

INYE-2, which was unveiled in May 2011, is an 8-inch capacitive screen tablet. It runs Android 2.2 and allows a user to connect to the internet using its inbuilt Wi-Fi card as well as using inbuilt SIM [card]. It offers about 8 hours of battery life. It also offers connection to other USB devices such as external flash drives, keyboard and mouse.

What’s your comparative advantage? Are there any special features Encipher tablets have that the iPad, Playbook or other tablets do not possess?

The comparative advantage to the iPad and Playbook is the nature of [operating system] our devices run. The Android OS is seen to be the fastest growing platform currently within the mobile space. The open nature of the OS allows third party developers to build relevant applications for vertical markets which are still relatively untapped at the moment.

How much do your tablets cost, and how many tablets have you sold so far?

Our tablets cost upward of $200 and we have sold close to 100 units of INYE-1. INYE-2 is yet to go into full production. Once we can clinch a funding deal, we will commence sales.

What are your future plans for the Encipher Group?

We are currently building applications for vertical markets as we believe strongly that the next scramble would be in this space for tablets. We are also working on Encipher TV, which is a setup box to allow broadcast of locally inclined programs over the internet.

iPhone Bluetooth Not Working – Problem and Solution

Though Apple iPhone is a great smartphone, there are some common problems associated with all versions of the iPhone including – iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X. iPhone Bluetooth Not Working is a very common problem. Following are some of the errors associated with this problem:

• iPhone Bluetooth spinning wheel
• iPhone 6 Bluetooth not discovering devices
• iPhone 6S Bluetooth not finding devices
• iPhone 7 Bluetooth not working
• iPhone 6 Bluetooth cutting out
• iPhone 8 Bluetooth not working
• iPhone X Bluetooth not working
• Bluetooth unavailable in iPhone
• Bluetooth icon not showing on iPhone

Here I will discuss about iPhone Bluetooth Not Working Problem and Solution and How to Fix Bluetooth Connectivity Issue in iPhone.

iPhone Bluetooth Not Working – Problem and Solution

Bluetooth connectivity problem is a very common issue with iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Apple removed the headphone jack from all models above iPhone 7. Even iPhone 8 and iPhone X has this Bluetooth connectivity problem. This means that you cannot pair and connect your wireless earphone / headphone or AirPod. It is like watching YouTube without sound. If your iPhone Bluetooth is Not Working then you may have to do one of the following:

1. Update the iOS Version

Bluetooth not working is basically a software related problem and not any hardware related issue. The problem is mainly related with iOS 11. To solve the problem, all you need to do is update the iOS to the latest version. Apple team does all the bug fixing in the iOS Updates. To Update your iPhone wirelessly, follow these steps:

1. Plugin your iPhone into power source.
2. Connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi.
3. Got to -> Settings -> General -> Software Update.
4. Tap Download and Install.
5. Follow message to temporarily remove apps to create more space for the update.
6. Tap Continue.
7. Later, iOS will reinstall these apps.
8. To update now, tap Install.
9. You also get the option to Install Tonight or Remind Me Later.
10. Your iPhone may ask to enter your Passcode.

2. Reboot iPhone

If the Bluetooth problem is not fixed even after updating the iOS, the follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings -> Bluetooth -> Toggle OFF Bluetooth
2. Reboot your iPhone
3. Turn ON Bluetooth and Check Connectivity

Pair with another Bluetooth Device

If your iPhone Bluetooth Problem is still not solved and you are not able to pair with a specific Bluetooth device, the do following:

1. Forget the unpaired device.
2. Pair with another Bluetooth device. If you can successfully pair to another device then you should forget the device that is not able o pair.
3. Go to Settings -> Bluetooth -> Click the little “i” icon next to the device giving problem -> Click “forget this device”.
4. Find the device again, and try pairing.

Reset Network Settings

If none of the above solutions fix your iPhone Bluetooth Problem then you may have to Reset your Network Settings.

1. Go to Settings -> General
2. Tap “Reset” and select “Reset Network Settings”
3. Enter you Passcode and Reconfirm
4. Try to connect to your Bluetooth device

Soft Reset your iPhone

If you are still not able to fix the Bluetooth Connectivity Problem, then you may have to Soft Reset your iPhone. A Soft Reset (Restart) can resolve many issues like iPhone crashing,  continuous rebooting, device freezing, Ringtone or vibrator not working, Touchscreen or keypad not responding, can’t make or receive phone calls etc.
A soft reset is very similar to restarting a laptop or a desktop Computer. It is one of the most important and very successful iPhone troubleshooting method. Don’t worry; a soft reset won’t affect any data on your iPhone. Following are the Steps to Reset iPhone:

How to Soft Reset iPhone with a Physical Home Button

1. Press and HOLD -> Power Button (Sleep / Wake Button) and Home Button (Simultaneously) for at least 10 seconds.
2. You will see the Apple logo.
3. Leave both the buttons.
4. Your iPhone is Soft Reset and will Boot
5. Once your iPhone is back ON, turn ON Bluetooth and try to Pair with your Bluetooth Device such a Wireless Bluetooth Headphone or AirPod.

How to Soft Reset iPhone without a Physical Home Button

1. Press the Volume Up or Volume Down Button.
2. Simultaneously, press the Power Button (Sleep / Wake Button)
3. Hold for about 5 seconds until you see the screen to slide and Power OFF the phone. Slide and stitch it OFF.
4. Wait for few seconds and then press and hold the Power Button (Sleep / Wake Button) again to turn the iPhone back ON.

Once your iPhone is back ON, turn ON Bluetooth and try to Pair with your Bluetooth Device such a Wireless Bluetooth Headphone or AirPod.