Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared support for the development of alternate medicine practice, as he approved the celebration of ‘Isese’ day for the traditional believers in the State.
The Governor made this known today at a day workshop and campaign against ritual killings and quackery with a view to promoting a wholesome alternate medicine practice for the safety of the people, organised by the Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board (OGAMB) in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force, Ogun State Command, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. He said his administration would liaise with concerned agencies for the setting up of a College of Complementary and Traditional Medicine, promising to grant approval for land to plant herbal roots and leaf to generate additional income for the State with provision of logistics and other necessary equipment needed by the Board for enforcement and other activities for it to be more effective in its day-to-day operation.
Governor Abiodun asserted that “traditional medicine has been in existence for long and has been useful to the people in the past. It is imperative for the practitioners to adopt scientific methods in producing their products and it is necessary for relevant government agencies to test their products and certify them good for human consumption”.
The Governor, who decried the nefarious activities of ritual killers, called on traditional medicine practitioners to collaborate with the government in ridding the society of ritual killings and quackery.
“Please work with us to expose those in your midst who are spoiling your name and good work. Dissociate yourselves from ritual killings and continue to be an ‘Omoluabi’ the Governor pleaded.
In her remarks, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker while acknowledging the role and importance of alternate medicine practitioners to the delivery of health services, said the present administration would continue to play its part at ensuring their practice was regulated, towards ensuring the safety of the citizens.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board (OGAMB), Alhaji Nurudeen Olaleye commended Governor Abiodun for recognising Traditional Birth Attendant and Alternate Medicine Providers in the State, saying the Board had been monitoring the activities of the practitioners to ensure standard.
On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Babatunde Sodimu, charged the practitioners to document their process and carry out more research to make their practice better, assuring that the State Police Command was ready to support them at all times.
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