Minister urges Nigerians to patronise natural medicine

The Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said the Federal Government will boost natural medicine through effective research and innovation.

Onu disclosed this when he received the executive of South East Traditional Medicine Association, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.

He said rather than going abroad for treatment, “Nigerians should look inward and utilize our natural endowments that have been certified by researchers to be non-toxic and effective,” he said.

The minister said an agency of the ministry; Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) was working to determine the efficacy of many herbs.

He said there are a lot of opportunities to make money in traditional medical practice in Nigeria and urged the practitioners to partner with the agency.

The Director-General of agency, Dr Samuel Etatuvie implored the association not to hoard their knowledge and should pass it to young ones through documentation for mutual benefits as they are the custodian of indigenous knowledge.

The chairman of the association, Chief Chibuzor Ugorji said they wanted the minister to direct all state commissioners of science and technology to allow states chapters to join state ministries as affiliates.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung (2nd right); inspects products made by a corps member during the World Youth Skill Acquisition Day celebration in Abuja yesterday. With him are the NYSC Director-General’s representative, Mrs Kwajafa Hauwa (right) and other stakeholders.