By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State Government through the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture has described Herbal Medicine as a means of fostering sustainable development in the society.
This was disclosed during the take off of the 15th Edition of a programme tagged ‘HerbFest’, which was conveyed by a non-governmental organization that promotes and encourages community based sustainable development; Bioresources Development, and Conservation Programme (BDCP) in conjunction with the Imo State Government as the Chief Host.
The event which took place from Thursday October 10 – Friday October 11, 2024, at Foret Event Center in Owerri, Imo State capital, had many health practitioners, scientists, researchers, farmers, policy makers, among other dignitaries present to witness to the event.
Declaring the event open on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodimma was the Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Social Services and Health Insurance, Dr Prosper-Ohayagha Success, who looking at the theme of this year’s HerbFest, “Herbal Medicine for Sustainable Development,” described Herbal Medicine as a means of ensuring a healthy living, and financially resetting our economy.
He noted that herbal medicine has a critical role to play in not just our health, but in addressing the pressing challenges of our time, as countries like China, Indian, and Egypt, among others have been exploring such benefits and are making billions from it.
The Imo State Government he said desiring that the state keys into the project has maintained a longstanding partnership with the Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP) through the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, which according to him, has played a pivotal role in raising awareness, promoting research, and driving innovation in the field of herbal medicine.
He therefore urged the people of the state, saying, “Let us also consider the ethical and social implications of using herbal resources, ensuring that they are sustainably harvested, cultivated, and it’s benefits equitably distributed.
“Also, by fostering collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members we can harness the power of herbal medicine, come up with policies to create a healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
He further appreciated the Nigeria Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine practitioners, and farmers for their participation in the event, and contributions towards advancing herbal medicine in the country.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Cosmos Madugba, addressing newsmen at the event
Adding his voice, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Cosmos Madugba, reiterating that the financial and economic benefits of harnessing herbal medicines cannot be overemphasized, pointed out that for such benefits to be achieved, farmers should be encouraged to go into high cultivation of the medicinal plants for commercialization.
This, he said will aid the country generate enough to eat as food, cure health challenges, boost the economy of the country, and get to the point of competing with countries like China, Indian, and the rest of them that are seriously harnessing the potentials of agriculture.
He further urged not just farmers, but Nigerian to utilize the opportunity of prioritizing on agriculture, saying it is the way forward for a society which wishes to be free from over dependency on funds from crude oil.
The Commissioner in the same vein lauded the BDCP team, led by Prof Maurice Iwu for the caliber of the facilitators chosen to take the people through diverse aspects of the topic of discuss.
Earlier, Prof Maurice Iwu, took the participants through the Unveiling of a new initiative tagged the Nigerian BRIDGE project, which the BRIDGE stands for Biodiversity Resources Innovation Development and Gender Empowerment.
Iwu pointed out that the project is centered on working closely with existing Nigerian Institute to create 122 Standardized health products, build community co-managed health kiosks in all the 774 Local Government Area, where each LGA will have atleast 10 kiosks.
He continued that the project will within 5 years also create 100,000 bioentrepreneurs that will impact the health and lives of 20 million Nigerians.
Iwu gave an instance of some of the things they intend to achieve where the raw material gotten from palm oil which is discarded will be put into proper use, as it is an anti-inflammatory agent, and an anti-oxidant which is good for aging.
He also cited fortifying the food we eat with palm oil which he said is high in vitamin A, so people will not have to spend extra money buying the Vitamin separately.
He added that they are working towards joining Ghana and Cameroon to begin supplying Bitter kola which price per ton in the international market, he said can transform the economy of the country.
The Bridge Initiative, Iwu further averred is a brain child of five (5) groups; BDG, International Society of Media in Public Relation, Society for Public Health and Social Development, SocioCapital, and Bowen University, which came together brainstormed more weeks and came up with the project which according to him, is here to transform the economy of the country.
The keynote lecture, Elaine Elisabetsky, an Ethnopharmcologist, and Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre, Brazil), also took them through the topic: “Bridging Medical Systems for Innovative Drugs Discovery”.
They had many other plenary sessions where other diverse topics where discussed – Capacity building for Medicinal Plants Research and Development in Nigeria by Eze Uchenna Nwabunwanne from Department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Impact of Climate Change on Medicinal Plants, By Dr. Mrs. Jacinta Akalazu Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri.,
Standards for Life: The Role of Standard Development in the Commercial Exploitation of Herbal Medicinal Plants, by Engr. Olalekan Sunday Omoniyi, Deputy Director and Head of the Standard Development Coordination Division of Standards Development Department, SON, among others.
There were also exhibition tours where the organizers of the event and participants went round diverse product stands; Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), FaForlife, the Orange Palm Company Limited, among others to be acquainted about certain herbal products and there benefits.
There were also clinical Dialogues where issues pertaining much intake of processed sugar, processed food item, among others were discouraged, and Nigerians urged to take more of natural foods, fruits, and vegetables for healthy living.
Present in the ceremony was Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, the Obi Gburugburu 1 of Mbano, other Commissioners, among others.
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