Former Chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, has called on the Federal Government to support the incorporation of traditional medicine into Nigeria’s orthodox healthcare system.
Adefule-Ositelu made the call during the 22nd Edition of the Late Prof. Anthony Afolabi Adegbola Memorial Lecture, held on Saturday in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The lecture, themed “Alternative Medicine: Perception, Uses and Benefits,” was organised by the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) in honour of the late Prof. Adegbola, who was the pioneer chairman of the group and a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Adefule-Ositelu stressed the need for the Federal Government to collaborate with, intervene in, and provide financial support to traditional medicine practitioners.
She said that with government backing and practitioners’ commitment, traditional medicine could be better organised and upgraded to meet global standards through proper clinical trials.
“Such trials will authenticate our products made from traditional ingredients and help standardise them into internationally acceptable medicines,” she said.
The professor described traditional medicine as capable of addressing diverse health conditions, urging Nigerians not to neglect the indigenous, “God-given” healing system.
“Although orthodox medicine has its values, we must not forget our indigenous system that our people prefer and demand. Government involvement is mandatory for maximal gains and effective healthcare delivery,” she added.
She also encouraged Nigerians to embrace and adopt traditional medicine as a reliable complement to modern healthcare.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting and promoting traditional medicine practice.
Also speaking, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Kabiru Shotobi, noted that traditional medicine had been a time-tested practice that proved effective long before the advent of orthodox medicine.
“Traditional medicine is useful, an alternative to orthodox medicine, and the best way to go,” the monarch said, while commending Adefule-Ositelu for her advocacy and public sensitisation efforts.
Similarly, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Oluseyi Onafowokan, called for more advanced research and innovation in traditional medicine to enhance its credibility and acceptance.
Dignitaries at the lecture included former Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth representatives, among others.
