The Director-General of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martins Emeje, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on natural medicine in the country.
The DG, who spoke exclusively with Tribune Online on Thursday, noted that this will address challenges facing the country in all areas, especially that of precarious insecurity situation.
Emeje proposed the adoption of what he described as the Model of Needs Deployment, where requests will be made for items needed only and not funds.
He said this is necessary because of the perception people have towards money handling and the fact that they see people in government as untoward which is highly demoralizing.
The Pharmacist, therefore, solicited more government support to perform optimally and effectively in their responsibility.
“The only thing I want the President to do is to declare a state of emergency on natural medicine development in Nigeria.
“It is our own raw materials we use in making natural medicine. You know declaring that emergency means the president will focus his attention more on that place.
“If he can do that, it will be the greatest thing he has done. I am not asking for money.
“In fact, the model that I would like to implement if they will allow me and see how the country will turn around is called Model of Needs Deployment, where I will tell you all the things that we need but don’t give me money.
“This is because a lot of things go wrong when it comes to money handling. There is mistrust. Once you are in government, people see you as a thief and such is highly demoralizing.
“The challenge is that of making us a top priority and giving us the support to do what we want to do,” Emeje said.
Meanwhile, the DG revealed that plans are underway by the Agency to establish research farms in all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
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According to him, peculiar medicinal plants to those states for specific diseases peculiar to those states will be cultivated.
Professor Emeje said through those farms medicinal products-making factories will be created and made available for the people of that place through herbal clinics.
He said such will give pride to the nation, increase foreign exchange, reduce or eliminate medical tourism and entrench national security.
“Right now, we are constructing the Establishment of Research Farms in several states, where peculiar medicinal plants to those states for specific diseases peculiar to those states are being cultivated.
“For now, Ondo, Plateau, Kano, Cross River, Nassarawa, Ebonyi, and Enugu are ongoing.
“And we will make sure we get to all the 774 local governments in Nigeria.
“So, we are going to establish those research farms, cultivate the medicinal plants in those states, create medicinal products making factory in that farm and make the products for the people of that place.
“Through those farms, We will establish herbal clinics in that local government so that people can go there for whatever ailment.
“As such, Nigeria will get its pride. It will bring us foreign exchange. It will reduce or eliminate medical tourism and it will give us national security,” he said.
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