By Jude Onyenedogha…
Stakeholders in the medical, agricultural economic sectors have lauded Prof Maurice Iwu for sustaining the annual herbal festival, Christened HerbFest.
The stakeholders barred their hearts in separate interviews with newsmen, during the 15th edition of the HerbFest, under the auspices of Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP), at the Foret Event Centre, Owerri, Imo State recently.
Imo State Commissioner for Primary Health, Social Services and Health Insurance, Dr. Prosper Ohayagha made it clear that everything done in medicine field have their root from herbs, saying that the herbal festival has been of great help for medical practice, even
as stakeholders were strategizing to make Imo State the center of herbal cultivation and medicine practice.
The Health Commissioner encouraged Imo people to go into herbal cultivation, which he said will help to increase the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as according to him; China, India, Egypt and many other countries are making a lot of money from herbal medicine.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Cosmas Maduba stressed the need to encourage farmers to commercialize the cultivation of medicinal plants and crops which serve as medicine, food and raw materials for industries.
He made it clear that Nigeria has a comparative advantage in herbal cultivation, being that it belongs to the tropical part of the world, with sufficient sunlight that encourages growth of plants and crops, calling on; Policy makers, entrepreneurs, tertiary institutions, organizations, to come onboard, unbundle the potentials in the sector and take full advantage of it.
The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Imo State, Dr Echeta Uzodimma also corroborated the assertion that every medicine emanated from herbs, saying the only difference was that the white man was able to extract the active ingredient in herbs and was able to scientifically trace it to the point of action.
Dr. Uzodimma said the herbs could be used as medicine, as well as food. He added that another important fact in herbal medicine practice in Nigeria, is for the practitioners to know their limit.
The Vice Chancellor, Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State and former Rector, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu said the HerbFest will have positive impact in the people and economy of Imo State, as it will help them to cultivate new habit by no longer taking herbs and leaves for granted.
He described Bio Resource as an innovative idea which calls attention to the herbs and leaves with nutritional and medicinal values and will be able to safeguard the health of the people.
A prominent traditional ruler in Imo State and the traditional ruler of Isiama Autonomous Community, Isiala Mbano LGA, Eze (Dr) Oliver Ohanwe regretted that Nigerians are poor in the midst of riches, in the sense that God endowed the country with all the raw materials needed to produce whatever they need, in commercial quantities and export, but they have failed to harness them.
“We have a policy that has never really worked. Nigerians, not only the Doctors and pharmacists, but everybody, should pick interest in harnessing the herbs and leaves within our environment, to solve our medical and nutritional needs”.
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