The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery through the development and advancement of alternative medicine.
The position was reaffirmed during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) discussion between the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board and the management of the University of Benin, held at the Vice Chancellor’s Old Conference Room.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, High Chief (TDr.) Abudu Ugbesia Godwin, JP, who was represented by the Board Secretary, Mrs. Ganiyatu Uwaifo, said the visit was aimed at deliberating on a proposed MoU focused on research standardization and capacity building in traditional medicine.
Mrs. Uwaifo expressed appreciation to the university’s management for the warm reception and willingness to collaborate in advancing traditional medicine practice in Edo State. She highlighted the Board’s achievements, including efforts to strengthen professional practice and the acquisition of land for the development of a botanical garden dedicated to cultivating and advancing medicinal plants.
Describing the proposed partnership as a significant milestone, she noted that the initiative is a state-driven development effort designed to ensure transparency, continuity, and institutional support. She further called for the involvement of the Edo State Ministry of Justice and other relevant legal authorities in drafting the MoU to ensure due process and long-term sustainability.
In his response, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Christopher Osubor, who represented the Vice Chancellor, welcomed the initiative, describing it as beneficial to both institutions. He stated that the university possesses the required human capacity and intellectual resources to drive research and innovation in traditional and complementary medicine, drawing expertise from agriculture, pharmacy, life sciences, and medicine.
Prof. Osubor disclosed that the university has established a centre dedicated to traditional medicine to coordinate related research and promote structured engagement in the field.
He added that the proposed MoU would be presented to the university Senate for deliberation and approval, expressing optimism about the Vice Chancellor’s support for the collaboration. He also suggested that legal representatives from both institutions meet to draft a mutually agreeable MoU document. It was subsequently agreed that a follow-up meeting involving legal representatives and relevant board members would be convened to advance the process.
Those in attendance included the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ekenwan Campus, Prof. B. A. Ayinde; Prof. E. D. Vwioko of the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology; Prof. C. D. Emokaro, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Dr. Osahon D. Abu of the Department of Biochemistry; Prof. T. O. T. Imoobe, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences; Prof. Odaro Timothy of the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology; and Prof. (Mrs.) Josephine Ofeimun (IHCM).
The meeting featured contributions from representatives of both institutions and ended with renewed commitment to strengthening research collaboration, promoting standardization, and enhancing the effective use of traditional medicine for the benefit of Edo State and the nation.
