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Tag: Traditional

  • Lagos traditional ruler hails plan to reposition Nigeria as World’s culture, entertainment hub

    Lagos traditional ruler hails plan to reposition Nigeria as World’s culture, entertainment hub

    High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, the traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos Mainland, Lagos State, has expressed his commendation to the minister of arts, culture, and creative economy, Hajia Hannatu Musawa for aiming to position Nigeria as the world’s culture, creativity and entertainment capital.

    Kalejaiye also lauded the minister’s roadmap, emphasizing its focus on job creation, skills training programmes, and the transformation of Nigeria into a prominent global centre for arts, culture, and creativity.

    Earlier, during the unveiling of the ministry’s economic plan at the maiden edition of Creative Economy Roundtable held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, the minister stated that her objective is to contribute 10 percent to the Nation’s GDP while also striving to expand sectorial GDP to a remarkable $100 billion by the year 2030.

    Reacting to the proposed economic plan, Kalejaiye expressed high hopes in the capacity of the minister to turn around the arts, culture, and creative economy for the betterment of Nigerians, especially the talented unemployed youths.

    He described the Minister’s economic plan as expedient to taking millions of youths out of the unemployment market.

    Quoting from statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he disclosed that about 53.40 percent of youths in Nigeria are unemployed.

    He said: “We believe in the capacity of the new Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa to reposition the country’s creative economy. We have incredible talents who are eagerly waiting for the creation of an enabling environment for them to showcase their talents and flourish.

    Read Also: Traditional stool crisis: Akwa Ibom govt, monarchs opt for out-of-court settlement

    However, better days are ahead for the youths of the country as with this road map, the economy is sure to rebound while many of our youths will be productively engaged. I must commend President Bola Tinubu for making the right choice and putting a round peg in a round hole.”

    The traditional ruler urged the minister to beam her searchlight on the operations of management and personnel of the National Theatre.

    According to him, the parastatal has been engulfed in corruption and intimidation of staff and union leaders by the management.

    If this is left unchecked, Kalejaiye said that if the corruption and intimidation are left unchecked, it would have an adverse effect on the productivity of the workers, adding that the country will lose all historic edifices that are housed in the parastatal.

    He added: “The management of the National Theatre has been in the news for obviously the wrong reasons ranging from alleged corruption and intimidation of staff and union leaders using the police.

    This is unhealthy for the workforce who now go about their daily activities in fear. There have been allegations of looting of historic artefacts and misappropriation of the funds of the parastatal. There are petitions before the ICPC, DSS, and the Honourable Minister against the management of the parastatal written by interest groups and the union.

    “These and more are what we want the Minister to investigate and bring the culprits to justice. Once again, I congratulate the new minister on her well-deserved appointment while looking forward to a probe of the allegation levelled against the management of the parastatal.”

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  • Amended traditional rulers council law: The dignity of the traditional institution and needless rancour

    Amended traditional rulers council law: The dignity of the traditional institution and needless rancour

    • By Revd. Richard Peters.

    There appears to be a deliberate misrepresentation of the amended Traditional Rulers Council, TRC law by the 8th Assembly.
    The dangerous development, if not condemned is susceptible to degenerating into distrust and stoking ethnic fire among the peaceful brothers and sisters in Akwa Ibom State.
    To avert such unnecessary conflict, it is pertinent that the facts be laid bare before the public. We feel obligated to join in such responsibility of enlightening the people based on the facts emanating from the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
    A bill seeking to amend the Traditional Rulers law CAP 155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022 (as amended) was presented, deliberated and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for scrutiny and revert to the House.
    Our findings also reveal that every aspect of the bill was considered and a public hearing was held were all relevant stakeholders from across the 31 local government areas including representatives of the paramount rulers, Oku Ibom Ibibio, Atha Oro, Itai Afe Annang, sociopolitical groups, trade unions, civil society groups among others.
    Contributions and inputs from all the stakeholders were solicited and obtained through memoranda to the committee which added to the final position of the proposed amendment.
    The amendment was primarily targeted at making traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State to attain such credibility and integrity of other dignified traditional rulers in other parts of the country. In the end, after the different stakeholders made their position known, everyone accepted to the eventual amendment.
    We, the ARISE Ambassadors are wholly in support of the amended TRC law because we know that is a good way to take the traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State to play in the “big league” of traditional institution in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom at 36: Reps member advocates peace for development, prosperity


    We are aware that the role of the traditional institution in Nigeria is crucial to the development and progress of the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country, as well as their strong influence in some political issues in the land even in their advisory capacity.
    The traditional institution is highly revered, confers prominence on the various ethnic groups and goes a long way in influencing government policies in their areas of jurisdiction. Indeed, the traditional institution grades ethnic groups.
    This accounts for why the words of the Ooni of Ife, Oba of Lagos, Oba of Benin, Olu of Warri and others are laws. The ethnic groups that own these first class traditional rulers are able to achieve this status for their kings because of the modus operandis of the tribes including ascension to the throne and duration of their reigns. A common denominator among them is that the kings reign for life, part of which the amended TRC law has taken care of.
    That is why we strongly pitch our tent on the collective decision by the 31 paramount rulers in Akwa Ibom State, apart from those who sick, and other stakeholders that in order for Akwa Ibom State to play a role in the national traditional rulers council, there was a need to elevate the traditional rulers council in the State to be known as Supreme Traditional Rulers Council headed by the President-General. This is highly commendable. It shows a traditional institution that is concerned about projecting the image of Akwa Ibom State in the comity of traditional rulers in Nigeria with attendant benefits.
    By sharing the offices of the President-General, Vice President-General I and Vice President-General II among the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Nkuku Annang and the Ahta Oro shows that our traditional fathers are sensitive to the components of the State, and want to continue to live in love and unity.
    Good enough, the well-thought out proposal by the traditional fathers has been backed by the law through the bill that was sent to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly of which a public hearing on the bill was held, culminating to the signing of the bill into law by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno.
    Thus, it becomes curious to witness sponsored protests in a section of the media and even physically. This is embarrassing show of shame and pettiness by the faceless sponsors of the unsuccessful protest.
    ARISE Ambassadors wish to remind everyone that Akwa Ibom State belongs to all the tribes of the State. There is no need to snuggle ethnic undertone to an ordinary good-intentioned action of the legislature. The perpetrators should know that the bond of brotherhood in the State is so strong to be broken by the selfish plots of people who were thoroughly rejected by Akwa Ibom people at the polls, whipping misplaced ethnic sentiments and non-existent division among brothers with the unrealistic aim of embarrassing the State Government. Good enough, Akwa Ibom people know that leopards do not change their spots.
    Their actions also give them out as clannish Mayors. At a time that everyone is speaking Akwa Ibom, the tribalists are expecting members of the State House of Assembly to put tribal interests above the interest and good of the State, not knowing that whenever people take oath of office, their allegiance is the State and not to any other sub-unit. This also shows how low they are, and how banal they can go.
    We are highly impressed by the exemplary disposition and mentality of the President-General of the Supreme Traditional Rulers Council and Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk for his contra-myopic leadership style and patriotic actions in all his stations of life. We are confident that the new office will not be an exception.
    The first class monarch sees himself first and foremost as an Akwa Ibomite and not an Ibibio, Oro or Annang. That is what patriotic leadership entails and Ntenyin is not found wanting.
    We condemn in totality, the sponsored protests by those who are out of circulation like unrecommended school books, and advise them not to take the peace and unity enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State for granted.
    ARISE Ambassadors are pro-Akwa Ibom, and want the people magnify the State and not the ethnic divides.
    We urge all to see the idea of having a President-General for the Supreme Traditional Rulers Council as a bold attempt to compete favourably with other ethnic groups in Nigeria in the traditional institution.
    Akwa Ibom State has excelled in different fields under different administration. We thank Governor Umo Eno for bringing reputation to our traditional rulers through this new law, and urge all not to jeopardize the good intentions of the Governor just for their selfish and clannish interests.
    This is not a time to distract Governor Umo Eno through whatever masked guise. Akwa Ibom State belongs to everyone but not everyone can be governor at the same time.
    Let us not derail from that path of love, unity and oneness chatted for us by the founding fathers. We are one!
    Let us support the new Traditional Rulers law of Akwa Ibom State and stop the blackmail and campaign of calumny. Not even during this season of our 36th State creation anniversary!
    Let love lead!.

    • Revd Richard Peters is the National Chairman of A.R.I.S.E. Ambassadors.
  • Don’t disrespect traditional leadership, group warns ex-leader

    Don’t disrespect traditional leadership, group warns ex-leader

    The youth wing of the Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) , Kogi State, has warned  its erstwhile national president,  Mr. Sadiq  Abubakar to desist from disrespecting the traditional ruler of the community, the Atta of Igala,  Matthew Okpanachi.

    In a statement, the group also decried Abubakar’s   endorsement of the candidate of the Social Democratic Party  (SPD), Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, as the consensus candidate of the Igala Kingdom for the  November 11    governorship election.

    It urged the public, especially the Igala people to disregard  Ajaka’s endorsement  .

    According to the association’s leader  Mr. Akoh Ojomakpene Moses,  the troubled history of ICDA led to its proscription by the Atta as a result of  alleged misconduct and misrepresentation.

    The Board of Trustees (BOT) of ICDA had also warned Abubakar  against claiming the presidency, following internal conflicts, leading to the suspension of key meetings.

    Read Also: Ex-Kogi deputy governor defects to APC

    The former Atta,  Michael Ameh Oboni appointed a caretaker committee to address these issues and oversee the association’s affairs.  However, the recent endorsement of Ajaka  by  a  faction has raised concerns about personal interests overshadowing the association’s objectives.

    The group stressed the importance of conducting thorough assessment before supporting any candidate for the governorship election, emphasising the need to make an informed decision that serves the best interests of the  people.

    ICDA is the highest social cultural organisation in Igala  which determines the political fortunes of any individual from the region aspiring for any political office .

  • ‘Traditional religious associations united’

    Traditional religious associations in the country have said all the organisations of Orisa followers (African Traditional Religion) have unanimously agreed to register under a global umbrella body.

    The body, which is known as Association of Ajo Esin Abalaye Adulawo of Nigeria, is registered under an ordinance dated June 1, 2018. It is known as Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants Association (ASARDIC), but formerly Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants Association (ARSADA).

    Publicity Secretary of ASARDIC Chief Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, in a letter to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, said ASARDIC has been in existence since 1795, but first gazetted in 1959 under the ordinance as Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants Association.

    Fakayode who is the Aare Agbefaga of Yorubaland, in a statement, added that the unanimous agreement to register all the traditional religious associations under one global body was reached at the recently held Òrì?à Leaders’ meeting in Ibadan.

    Read also: Obi is our son – Delta traditional rulers

    He said: “Following the recently concluded Orisa Leaders’ conference coordinated by Erelu Lola Ayorinde, Erelu Tunwase of Ode-Remo, chaired by the Elerimo of Erimo Ijesa, which held in Ile-Ife between January 24 and 26, all the Organisations of Orisa followers (African Traditional Religion) have, unanimously agreed to register under a global umbrella body to be our mouthpiece and have done so.

    “Sir, the name to be recognised as our single overall body is “Association of Ajo Esin Abalaye Adulawo of Nigeria” whose registration under ordinance was dated June 1, 2018. This umbrella body is popularly known among us as ARSADIC. Sir, this organization has been in existence since 1795 but first gazetted in 1959 under the ordinance as “Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants Association (ARSADA)…”

  • Traditional practitioners undergo continuous education

    As part of the statutory functions of the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM), which include training of practitioners of traditional, complimentary and alternative medicine, the second part of this year’s training held in Lagos. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA was at the four-day event.

    THEY came in trickles, one after the other, walking briskly into the venue of the event – NERDC Hotel, opposite African Shrine, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. They were medical doctors interested in naturopathy. They came to participate in the four-day continuing professional development course for the second part in the year. It was made compulsory by the Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) for the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM) to  have such training twice in a year for its members.

    The programme was in collaboration with the West African University of Natural Medicine (WAUNAMED), the National College of Natural Medicine for Traditional Complimentary Medicine (TCAM) and Natural Medicine practitioners.

    The theme was: Promotion and development of TCAM and Natural medicine- a tool for economic recovery growth plan for Nigeria.

    Underscoring the importance of the gathering, and the collaboration, NCPNM President Prof Magnus Atilade said the body is a professional membership-based regulatory organisation with functions and objectives of promoting and developing all forms of natural medicine, training and certification.

    “Continuing education is often delivered as degree-completion programmes, certificate programmes, and diploma programmes at colleges. Whether it is required or not, continuing education can be important for career satisfaction. Continuing education can boost confidence and lead to opportunities for career advancement.

    “Be more qualified. Although not all jobs require a degree, employers are looking for the most qualified candidate, so be that person. Make more money. On the average, over a lifetime of earnings, participants earn more than their non participating counterparts. Demonstrate success. Today’s practice is more sophisticated and employers are expecting more with respect to skill, complexity, and specialisation.

    “Participants gain a competitive edge. As more people continue their education, the competition for high paying, stable jobs will increase. Experience combined with education demonstrates to employers your motivation and drive to succeed. Secure your future. People with higher levels of education tend to have better job security—and any credential you earn stays with you for life. A better lifestyle is assured. If a job ceiling is holding you back, a continuous study will help you push through and separate you from the status quo” he said.

    He continued: “Gain confidence. This level of exposures and experiences provide revelation to a variety of topics and through-leaders that will help you expand your horizons. Improve your social network. This gives a fertile ground, so to speak, where you can network with similar people, virtually or in person. Improve your discipline. Those with higher levels of education are more focused and get things done. Just what employers are looking for.  In all, this will improve your business network.”

    According to Prof Atilade, Association of Physicians of Alternative Medicine (NAPAM) is a Medical and Dental Council recognised association for all doctors of alternative medical discipline in the country. “They include chiropractors, osteopaths, homeopaths, naturopaths and acupuncturists. The Medical practitioners Act 2004 recognises the above disciplines as alternative medicine under the MDCN.

    “The National College of Natural Medicine (NACONAMED) is the official graduate and post-graduate professional training arm of NCPNM, approved by the Federal Ministry of Health in 2005, with the mandate of training and certification of all levels of practitioners in the field of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. The College is recognised by the Educational Department of the World Naturopathic Federation. And it was visited by the MDCN in 2007; and the Ministry of Education this year,” he said.

    He added: “WAUNAMED was established as a professional conventional and distance learning, research- based university for the promotion, training, research and inculcation of  research of African origin,” said Prof Atilade, adding “the aim is to achieve economic prosperity, health, peace, and social well being for the entire human race at large, and West Africans in particular.”

    The institution, he said, is validated by the West African Federation of Traditional and Alternative Medicine Associations, institutions and relevant partners, and it is chartered by the NCPNM.

    Assuring participants that cut across various fields that they were in the right body and doing the right thing, Prof Atilade said the terms – Alternative and Complementary, have always attracted some criticisms. “So, the founding fathers of the council, therefore, chose the term Natural Medicine as a more appropriate definition of our scope. Natural Medicine is the umbrella name for all forms of medical care system outside the mainstream of orthodox medicine. It comprises- Traditional indigenous Nigerian Medicine such as traditional bone setters, traditional birth attendants, and herbalists,” he said.

    “Alternative medicine as recognised by the MDCN Acts are Acupuncture, Osteopathic, Homeopathic, Chiopractic and, Naturopathic medicines. And Natural Complementary Therapies, such as Shiatu, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressue, Nutritional Medicine, Yoga heb, meditation, magnetherapy, Electro Homeopathy, Ayuvedic medicine, Unani etc,” he added.

    The body, Prof Atilade said, is making a head way as the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole has initiated the creation of the department of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine in the Ministry of Health.

    Director of Research of the institution, Prof Idowu Ogunkoya, said there is the need to ensure that the right person heads the department. “That will speed up the achievement of things that will quicken the rightful positioning of traditional medicine in the country as we have in China, Ghana, China and now Europe. It is a necessity to always put the right peg in the right hole. An orthodox doctor cannot understand the dynamics of traditional medicine,” he said.

    He added: “So, that department should have either somebody, who is grounded in pharmacognosy, or a pure naturopath or other practitioners of the diverse fields of traditional medicine. Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines or crude drugs produced from natural sources such as plants, microbes, and animals. It includes analysis of their biological, chemical, biochemical, and physical properties, so such a person with deep knowledge of this will at least push things, instead of a medical doctor that has no deep knowledge of dynamics of traditional medicine.”

    Lectures delivered on those days included “Review of human anatomy and physiology (upper extremities); Path-physiology of major organs and diseases; Introduction to infectious diseases; Professional ethics/politics and Professionalism”.

    Also, medical diagnoses and procedures and techniques; botanical identification and classification/therapeutic effects; production methods; issues on production; marketing and financial management; Traditional medicine development and production chain were discussed at the seminar.

    Others were emergency management and basic life support; natural diagnostic technique; electronic assessment and examination.

    Facilitators were Professors Bade Adewale; Titi Oduye; Idowu Ogunkoya;  Gilbert Ezengige;  Dike Celestine and Lawrence Ugo.

    The doctors  included Duru Bede; Betty Nwokobia; Joseph Akpile; Emmanuel Udi; Rotimi Olotu; Nnaemeka Nwuize and Martin Ojeyemi.  Mrs B. Kusa and Mrs Kabira Ogunkoya, who gave some insights to the participants.

    The lecturers all harped on the minimum standard of premises if they want to set up practice. More practitioners were inducted, while participants got certificates.

  • PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    The management of PaxHerbals Clinic and Research Laboratories in collaboration with its subsidiary Ofure (Pax) Integral Research and Development Initiative (OFIRDI) is organising an international conference on indigenous traditional knowledge.

    According to the convener, Rev Father Anselm Adodo it will hold between October 5 and 6 at Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

    It has as theme: The contribution of indigenous knowledge in stimulating integral development in Nigeria and Africa.

    Partnering PaxHerbal are: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, and Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.    The organisers said conference aimed at bringing together researchers, scientists, research scholars, entrepreneurs, health care practitioners and health technologists to discuss, exchange and share their experiences and research results in all aspects of indigenous knowledge in health care and health policy, traditional medicine research and practice, community development, local innovations in agriculture, biodiversity, solar technology and business enterprise.

    The organisers also said there was an urgent need to examine approaches to education, healthcare, technologies, enterprise, agriculture and development in the country, and propose new methodologies, new approaches and new action plans.

    The common thread weaving these diverse topics together is the need to stimulate integral development in Nigeria and in Africa.

    They added that as such, the conference would focuse on applying trans-disciplinary approach to  development issues that have  impeded rather sustainable development.

     

  • ‘Give us traditional medicine commission’

    Traditional and alternative medicine practitioners have canvassed its integration into the nation’s primary healthcare delivery system.

    They spoke under the aegis of Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine and the Centre for Research in Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine of  Nigerian Institute of Medical Research(NIMR) during the African Traditional Day celebration in Lagos.

    According to them, the relevance, affordability, accessibility and availability of herbs, plants, and roots cannot be over-emphasised.

    “This makes us the traditional medicine practitioners, and complimentary alternative practitioners (CAM) to closest to the people in the community. And the patronages are high  compared to the conventional health services. Therefore, it is high time the government does the needful, which is to legitimate, control and integrates traditional medicine into the mainstream of the health care delivery in the country,” President, Nigeria Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine, Magnus Atilade, said.

    Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) the NIMR Director-General, Prof Babatunde Salako, said it was no longer a news that over 70 per cent of Africans use traditional medicine as their means of therapeutic treatments to relief them of sufferings and ailments.

    He said: “Proper regulation of herbal practice will go a long way in ensuring sanity and ethics in the practice. This will put stop to quackery, and the enormous reduction in the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria caused by one of the arms of this noble profession. This is because all the practitioners will be bonded within the law and the training and retraining of the practitioners will be enforced, thereby leading to a boost in the outcome of the health care delivery in the country.

    He went on: “It is long overdue to pass into law the act that establishes the practices of traditional alternative medicine in the country. But kudos to the present administration that is taking a giant stride for the proper establishment of the Act to establish- Traditional Medicine Council and Alternative Medicine Commission (TMCAMC), which has scaled through third reading in the House of Assembly.

    “We are applauding the effort of our distinguished senators for the great landmark action and still using this opportunity to appeal to them to make sure that the bill is read, passed and have the approval of the president so that the Traditional/Alternative Medicine can have a stand in Nigeria’s health system.”

    Atilade added: “The Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine is a professional educational research and development organisation registered and recognised locally and internationally for the promotion and development of Traditional and Alternative Medicine.”

  • Traditional/herbal solution for family planning

    Traditional/herbal solution for family planning

    Managing Director, Health Forever Product Limited, Lagos Otunba Olajuwon Okubena writes on this.

    I am delighted to submit my ideas on the issue of how Traditional or Herbal medication could be of tremendous relevance to the problem of family planning in Nigeria and also contribute to its potential for earning foreign exchange.

    Nigeria was represented at the Family Planning Summit held in London a couple of weeks ago by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who explained why the country is investing $4 million in the Global Family Planning initiative.

    According to the Minister, family planning is one of the strongest anti-poverty strategies and low-hanging fruit for reducing maternal mortality. The success of the introduction of family planning as part of basic health in the health sector is to ensure that a woman’s right as a human right is realised. Nigeria wants to include Family Planning as part of basic healthcare to complement ante-natal services, and immunisation routine.

    The new contraceptive methods would include sub-cutaneous Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate injections) which is an injectable, progestin-only contraceptive that provides highly effective, private, and relatively long-acting (three months), reversible contraception. Use of DMPA eliminates both the need for user action daily or near the time of sexual intercourse and the need for partner cooperation.

    DMPA is a good contraceptive option for the following groups of women: Women who do not want to take a contraceptive pill daily, women who have a contraindication to, or wish to avoid, an estrogen-containing contraceptive and women who would like to eliminate regular menses.

    This initiative on the part of the Federal Government is commendable, but I want to remind the Minister that we should to look inwards for solutions to our problems.

    The Minister during his briefing with Health Editors in Lagos to mark his one year in office said there were many things Nigerians could benefit from traditional medicine. Some of them, according to him, are bone setting and healing with herbal plants, saying that his ministry will explore how to assist herbal healers on how to improve their practice, especially in standardising their products.

    I quote: “That will help us as a country to export them, instead of the plethora of foreign herbal products that have taken over the market. We have a lot to learn from China and even Ghana, but gradually we are getting there. The way traditional medicine is now can’t be compared with what obtained some centuries ago,” Adewole said.

    He said Nigeria was in the forefront of research and development of herbal plants. “A quick search into National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) shows how indigenous herbal-plants have been researched, developed and packaged into life-saving products, so we have a lot to boast of in that sector. We only need to hone the skill of the practitioners,” he said.

    According to World Health Organisation (WHO), traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not. It is used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

    “To ensure that this sector is re

    As far as Traditional Medicine is concerned in Nigeria, it seems to me that we are only experiencing what I would describe as motion without movement.In China, India, Germany and other parts of the world, Natural and Traditional Medicine is well set up and could be clearly identified within the healthcare delivery system. Unfortunately, the case is different in Nigeria. The African Union (AU) mandated that the member states of which Nigeria is prominent should use the decade of 2001-2010 to set up the institution of Traditional medicine and ensure that the establishments stand side by side with the orthodox clinics and hospitals to give citizens a choice for their healthcare requirements. It is another extra decade after the expiration of the AU’s mandate and nothing is visible in Nigeria. All hopes are not lost, thanks to the current Minister of Health, who had expressed strong believe and conviction in the relevance of Traditional medicine to our healthcare system. But his term will expire in less than two years. The question to ask is: Has he got any magic wand to make an indelible mark in this matter within this short space of time? If he works very hard, he could at least lay a solid foundation which would not be easily demolished by his successors.

    Now is the time for the Federal Government to take the bull by the horn. In the Traditional system, there are herbal preparations that are affordable and do not need the elaborate implementation as required for the injectable options in the orthodox system.

    Herbal preparation with a promise for Nigeria

     

     About 30 years ago, I was a witness to a demonstration of the awesome power in traditional medicine to solve the family planning problem. A close relation who had for a long time been using the orthodox drugs got fed up because of the side effects and therefore consulted a herbalist who gave her a herbal formulation which worked. I waited for several months to watch the outcome of this intervention and confirmed that it was working and out of curiosity, I decided to investigate. The herbalist after a long period of persuasion agreed to reveal this formula to me. It was interesting and simple.

    There is a plant known as IROSUN (The botanical name is Baphia Nitida). The wonderful aspect of this preparation is that different parts of the same tree would be used for preventing pregnancy and for restoring fertility. The bark of the root prepared in a particular way would prevent pregnancy permanently (it has superior power to Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate which is only effective for three months). To restore fertility, the leaves of the tree are also prepared in a particular way and the effect was also immediate.

    I have tried this formulation on at least ten subjects and the result was excellent. I could not go on with further development and research owing to the huge financial implications. The orthodox drug being embraced by the Federal Government would have cost the manufacturers several millions of dollars and Nigeria is investing so much in this finished product. I believe that with a modest investment in research, Nigeria would likely have an exportable product if this type of product is developed.

    Delving deeper into the investigation on the wonderful Irosun tree, I found from literature that it is recognised by the Ifa worshippers as the mysterious tree through which Orunmila as the progenitor of humanity descended from heaven to the Earth for the first time. The tree is also known as The Tree of Life or Creation. The powder of the dried stem of this tree is the backbone of Ifa Oracular practice. It is used for divination and through it, the oracle communicates with humanity on any subject in nature.

    The ethnobotanical data in Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases confirmedsome of the Ethnobotanical and folk medicinal uses of Irosun plant (Baphia nitida) as follows:

    Arthritis, carminative, dysentery, enteritis, fungicide, gastritis,  Jaundice. Laxative, newborn,  parasiticide,  preventitive (Bee sting). Rheumatism, ringworm, skin, sprain, stiffness, swelling.

     

    Venereal, Wound

     

    In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by medroxyprogesterone. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

    While the Irosun plant medication has not been known to have side effects, information from the website drug.com showed a long list of major and minor sider effects of medroxyprogesterone.

     

    The way forward

    A couple of years ago, we set up an organisation known as  Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine(RITAM) with the following goals and vision:

    • To prospect, harness, evaluate and certify diagnostic, curative and preventive values of safe traditional medicine products thereby developing a resource compendium of medicines for the Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) in all the 774 local government areas as well as for the use of all Traditional and Alternative Medicine practitioners home and overseas.
    • To find lasting solutions to WHO priority list of diseases i.e. Malaria, Hypertension, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Anemia and HIV/AIDS through Nigerian Traditional Medicine.
    • To have a comprehensive data of traditional medicine products that should be recommended for preclinical and human trials at the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and Nigeria Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and other Research Centres particularly the Nigerian Teaching Hospitals in the process of their becoming Herbal Drugs.
    • To provide candidate herbal drugs that would be included in the National Drug Formulary.
    • To ensure that at least 50 herbal products would have been certified as being evidence based in the •To collaborate with all Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Education, Environment and other relevant government agencies to propagate Traditional and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria.
    • To position traditional medicine products from Nigeria in the international market, thereby making TM products the highest income generating industry for the country.
    • To encourage mass production of endorsed traditional medicine products.

    The organisation functioned for some time and became moribund for lack of financial support by the appropriate authorities. This is the type of private sector initiative that should be supported and encouraged by the Ministry of Health to jumpstart the needed revolution necessary for the integration of traditional/herbal medicine to the healthcare delivery system in the country.

    In concluding, I wish to emphasize that this article is not meant to encourage readers to try remedies, particularly herbal or traditional, that have not been subjected to scientific tests for safety and efficacy. Until, the Federal Ministry of Health endorses tested local remedies, it is advisable to embrace the efforts being currently championed by the Federal Government.

    I am willing to collaborate with doctors, scientists and other research centres in Nigeria to develop this formulation to a level where it would complement Government effort to find a lasting solution to family planning problems in the country.

    Readers can send their reaction to this article to:

    okubena@health-forever.com

  • Traditional worshippers: forgive and forget

    The Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council (ARSADIC) has urged the Yoruba and Hausa to forgive and forget, following the violence between them in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    A statement by its President, Aare Sola Olalekan Atanda, said forgiveness was necessary because of the consequences of staining the abode of the Orisa.

    According to him, retaliation is never the solution but parties must forgive and learn tolerance, adding that peace is light and fighting is death.

    Atanda, who described Ile-Ife as a sacred ancient city and the cradle of mankind, said the world could not afford any disturbance and threat to life and property in the town.

    He called on traditional priests and priestesses to join hands in prayers and rituals with the 20 kings of Orisa Ife (Oba Isoro) in seeking peace for the town.

  • Katsina traditional ruler dies at 103 years

    The District Head of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, Alhaji Muhammadu Lawal-Areda, has died on Friday at the age of 103.

    A family source confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kankara.

    The source said remains of the deceased was buried according to Islamic rites in Kankara after Juma’at prayers.

    The funeral was attended by the Emirs of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmunin Kabir, and Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk, among many other traditional rulers.

    Others included Amb. Tukur Mani; former Federal High Court Judge, Justice Adamu Bello; former Katsina state deputy governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, and acting Chairman of Kankara Local Government Council, Alhaji Bishir Maikano.

    The patriarch is survived by three wives, 34 children, and several grand and great grand children.

    Some his children include the former chairman of Kankara local government area, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal; the Ward Head Zango-Zabaro, Alhaji Abdullahi Namashi, and Alhaji Tanimu Lawal, among others.

    NAN also recalls that Lawal-Areda was turbaned on Feb. 2, 1972.

    The deceased was also the holder of the traditional title of Sarkin Pawan Katsina (Katsina State chief of butchers).

    He would be remembered for his contributions to peace, security and economy, especially in halting cattle rustling, and farmers and herdsmen disputes recorded in the area