The Minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said government was working on a plan to develop the herbal medicine for export to other countries.
Onu disclosed this on Thursday at Adavieba area of Adavi Local Government of Kogi State while on a courtesy call on renowned herbal medicine practitioner, Mr Aliyu Giwa.
The Minister said that Nigeria was tired of importing herbal medicine from China and other Asian countries, saying it was time to develop the local herbs for export.
He said that herbal medicine had proved effective against some ailments that appeared incurable by orthodox medicine, hence the need to encourage its production.
Onu said that Giwa was supposed to come and see him in Abuja but decided to come and see him as a mark of respect and to see areas where he can be assisted by the government.
He said that Giwa had distinguished himself in the area of prostate cancer and expressed the readiness of the government to partner with him to expand the scope of his operation.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government through the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency will collaborate with Giwa to enable more Nigerians benefit from his knowledge.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Health has agreed to be part of the effort
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPPRI) will be involved in the process of developing the medicine for use locally and abroad, he said.
Giwa is a 90-year old traditional medicine practitioner that specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases and other ailments with herbs.
Onu said that government will expand Giwa’s clinic by adding a four-bedroom flat to enable him accommodate more patients.
He said that a vehicle will be attached to the clinic to enhance its operations.
In his response, Giwa told his visitors that he inherited his knowledge from his father who also inherited it from his grand father.
The herbalists said that he had treated so many Nigerians from different parts of the country, saying that he was ready to continue to render services till death.
Giwa thanked the Minister for the gestures of a building and a vehicle which he said will ease the stress of going distances to fetch herbs and other materials.
One of his patients, Nze Stephen Ibeneme was on hand to testify to the efficacy of Giwa’s herbal medicine.
Ibeneme said that he had been treating prostate cancer since 2008 said that he was healed within three days of applying Giwa’s herbal medicine.
The Director-General of NIPPRI, Prof. Karniyusus Gammaniel who represented the Minister of health said that local and orthodox medicine compliment each other.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Mr Sam Etatuvie was among senior officials that accompanied the Minister on the visit.
