By George Ozalla
Nigerian researchers and her Chinese counterparts has called for active collaborations in advancing traditional medicine exchanges for both countries to explore investment opportunities therein.
This call was made during a celebral seminar held at the Chinese Cultural Center Wuse Zone 5, Abuja-FCT on Saturday 7th September 2024 to initiate useful collaborative efforts between the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA) Bauchi State and other Nigerian institutions through the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.
Various researchers, practitioners and others who were present took allotted time to dissect prospects, challenges as well as practical ways forward towards achieving overall advancement of traditional medicine exchanges between China and Nigeria with wide opportunities for mutual benefits.
Earlier in his welcome remark the Chinese Cultural Counsellor: Mr Li Xuda
expressed delight for an opportunity to discuss and see areas of joint collaborations with a view to making desired progress in traditional medicine exchanges between China and Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor; University of Health Sciences Azare (FUHSA), Professor Bala Audu who also doubles as the President; Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in his goodwill message called for greater effective collaborations, in-depth research, strategic co-operation and partnership between China and Nigeria in order to actualize optimum result.
Otunba Biodun Ajiboye the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of Nigeria Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in his remark assured that: his organisation is passionate and ready to support and partner in anyway possible to promote ideals of traditional medicine exchanges between China and Nigeria.
Ten topical presentations with in-depth analysis were presented by various researchers bordering on medicinal properties of various herbs found in Nigeria and its uses in treatment of different ailments, active ingredients in the plants, traditional medicine practice origin and further explorable opportunities derivable for health benefits and commercial purposes, which both China and Nigeria can invest in for economic growth.
Some important dignitaries and other participants at the seminar included: the Deputy Vice Chancellor, FUHSA, Dr Alkali Mohammed, NMA research Chairman, Professor Titus Sunday Ibekwe, Professor Bello Abubakar, FUHSA Directorate for Innovation, Research and Development, Dr Bello Ibrahim, Dean FCS FUHSA, Dr Andy Yuan, the CEO, Eastern and Western Hospital, Professor MacDonald Idu; UNIBEN, Professor Garbati who is the Director; Innovation, Research and Development, FUHSA, Dr Farouk Umar Farouk FUHSA, Dr Hadiza Nuhu; founder Herbal Point, Ambassador Ani Udofia, founder Endless Discovery, Usman Isah, Executive Chairman: AMWE Medical and Wellness Foundation, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Dada Nakowa, President: Modern Medicine Practitioners Association of Nigeria and President Green World Association for Medicinal Plants Conservation, Exhibition and Exportation as well as President of Youth Development Tourism Organisation (YTDO) and its members.
Highpoints of the event were questions and answers session, networking and group photographs.
