A Nigerian professor of Pharmacognosy from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, has said that it is time for Nigerians to develop their natural medicines rather than importing them from abroad.
He said Nigeria has natural herbs that could be developed to cure malaria, diabetes, cancers and other health challenges, as well as reduce medical tourism in the country.
The natural medicine expert gave the advice, yesterday, during the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics valedictory ceremony in honour of the retiring Prof. Joy Okpuzor, held at UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.
Iwu said that natural medicine experts now focused more on how people could live a long life and remain healthy without suffering from diseases.
“For instance, the locally-madezobo drink is very good for people who suffer high blood pressure. I, therefore, urge Nigerians to come back to their own medicinal plants,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. FolasadeOgunsola, said the institution cared so much for their retired lecturers by ensuring that they have their own personal house and offer them vocational training.
She said: “We also make sure we enrol them on a health insurance scheme to ensure they are properly being taken care of.”
The celebrant, Okpuzor, said there is no money in teaching but people do it out of passion, saying: “I have many academic children. That is only the joy in my teaching profession.”
