By Udesinanna Stephen
National Secretary, NANTMP, Abuja, Alhaji Adeagbo Raji
Leader, Traditional medicine Practitioners, Ekiti State Dauda Lawal Awise
National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Ekiti State Chapter has called on government at all levels to recognize the Association and reinstate the Traditional Medicine Board in the State.
The call was made by the leadership of the Association during the inauguration of its newly elected Executive members in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
Addressing journalists, the National Secretary of the Association, Alhaji Adeagbo Raji, noted that traditional medicine has a global recognition as it exists in every country of the world. He appreciated the Federal government for supporting the development of home-made medicines. “I must say that the Federal government has done a lot, they have released money for the promotion and advancement of traditional medicine in Nigeria.”
Also, the Leader, Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Ekiti State, Dauda Lawal Awise, disclosed the effort he’s to unite all the practitioners in the State.
His word, “You know a leader is a slave, I wouldn’t mind whatever it will cost me, I will go round all the 16 Local Governments of the State including the LCDAs, call all of them, advise them and tell them the need to team up to move Ekiti forward.
Awise, said that the traditional medicine practice is now a transformed profession and that practitioners should always dress neatly and as well specialise in a particular area for good results, adding the task Force would soon begin to flush quackery in the profession.
While speaking, thenew Chairman of the Association in the State, Chief Oluwafemi Adesua popularly known as Ageje, promised to impact the healthcare in Ekiti through the traditional means and also unite practitioners in the state.
According to him, “all the Executives inaugurated today are tested and trusted people. I am happy to inform you that NANTMP is the umbrella body for all other alternative medicine practitioners.”
He noted that traditional medicine is very effective and that efforts are ongoing to define and recognize all credible practitioners, adding that the Association has developed dosages for their medicines, which has been a major challenge before now.
The Chairman called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider some of the members for better positions and officially recognize the Association. He also sought for technical and financial support respectively, citing that the provision of a suitable budgetary allocation will be appreciated among others from the government.
He also appreciated the state Governo,r Biodun Oyebanji for his cooperation with the Association. The Chairman used the occasion to call for reinstatement of the State Traditional Medicine Board.
“It will be greatly appreciated if our Governor, Mr. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji could consider our previous submission and request for the reconstitution and inauguration of the Ekiti State Traditional Medicine Board as soon as possible.” He requested.
The new Executive members include: Chief Oluwafemi Adesua, Chairman, Chief Akinmodede Oluwadare, Deputy Chairman, Olori Awo Adewale Adeyefa, Secretary, Dr. Yisa Lamidi Olakunle, Asst Secretary, Chief Arowosola Sunday Gabriel, Treasurer, Chief Adebayo Ajeti, Publicity Secretary, Chief Jola Samuel Ajayi, Asst. Publicity Secretary, Dr. Dele Faturoti, Internal Auditor, Chief Bola Ogundare, Ex- Officio 1. Chief Adebayo Sunday, Chief Adetunji Ilori.