Herbalists and traditional medicine practitioners operating within Kogi State have appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to inaugurate a state Traditional Medicine Board to oversee, regulate, and elevate standards within the local health sector. Speaking in Lokoja, the capital city, industry leaders stated that the proposed regulatory body would foster professionalism, eliminate quackery, and establish an organized framework for indigenous medicine.
What are the primary demands of the traditional practitioners?
The appeal was officially voiced by Chief Ayodele Okono, the Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association in Kogi West and the Ward Head of Odo-Ero, during a media briefing in Lokoja. Okono lauded the incumbent state administration for notable strides in public security, healthcare infrastructure, and consistent payment of public servants' salaries without deductions.
"We commend Ododo on the rapid development in Kogi State. He is one of the best governors so far. On security, Ododo is 95 per cent; on health infrastructure, Ododo is 95 per cent," Okono remarked during the interactive session.
Furthermore, the association leader drew comparisons with other Nigerian sub- nationals, specifically urging the Kogi State Government to emulate the regulatory frameworks already operational in Ekiti State, Osun State, Lagos State, and Ondo State.
What other infrastructural projects received commendation?
Aside from healthcare and security milestones, the traditional leader praised ongoing infrastructural undertakings across the region, notably the construction of the Zariagi international airport located in Ebira land and the presence of the Kogi State University in Okun land.
Okono also acknowledged the state government's decision to elevate the traditional stool of the Elesho of Owe Land to a Second Class status, describing the promotion as a welcome development that honors the traditional institution.
Concluding their address, the practitioners assured the administration of their grassroots mobilization backing across the Kogi West Senatorial district, stretching from Koto-Karfe down to Egbe, while also endorsing the political ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.