By Olusegun Haastrup
Nigeria must deliberately prioritise research in health and agriculture in order develop its indigenous resources.
So says the Director General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, Professor Martins Emeje, at the presentation ceremony of anti-malaria kits to military and paramilitary agencies at the Agency’s headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos.
Professor Emeje, who said the agency stands in the forefront of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu Administration, noted that the natural products developed by the agency were affordable for essential treatments, thereby relieving concerns about access to healthcare in the country
“We are proud of ourselves as an Agency. Diarrhea is a child-killer disease, so we developed the product to tackle, the National Assembly in 2025 has given us money to further develop that anti-diarrhea product.” He said
The DG who recalled that the agency, last year unveiled four medications including those for sickle cell anaemia, diabetes and anti-aging, said the indigenous natural medicines are no more regarded as alternatives, but core treatments in the health sector.
Prof. Emeje added that natural medicine had a potential of turning around the economy for the benefit of the citizens.
Receiving the NAFDAC-approved malaria intervention kit donation from NNMDA, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, observed that Nigerians were yet to embrace the enormous value of indigenous efforts in medicinal research.
He noted that “when I was growing up, dangoyaro and mango leafs were our anti-malaria medicine, so what has happened to our own, If we don’t value what we have, nobody will give value to it.”
The Army Chief who was represented by the Commander, 81 Division Medical Services and hospital, Colonel Samson Idowu said there was need for more publicity for the products.
in a message , the Commissioner for Police in Lagos, Moshood jimoh applauded the dedication of NNMDA to natural medicines.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner , Medical Services , ACP Bose Salami, described the innovations and strides of the agency as a national pride that should be celebrated
Messages were also received from the Comptroller of Immigration Service , Adebambo Oluwole and other military outfits at the event.
One of the Agency’s researchers, Dr. Hassan Lawan while speaking on the the development of the Agency’s anti-malaria spray, said medicinal plants were collected from communities, and were produced to control the parasite.
“Many products have been produced, yet we still have high resistance in malaria parasite, so as an agency, we deemed it to be able to save and protect the health of Nigerians, that’s why we ventured into the studies to see what we can do with our own indegenous plants.” he stated.
The event coincided with the second year in office of Professor Emeje as the Director General of NNMDA.