The African Biodiversity and Traditional knowledge Research and Development Project has revealed that large number of endangered natural plants and animal species are going into extinction as no efforts are put in place to guarantee their existence despite the various treaties signed internationally to protect them.
The President General of the project, Chief Shuaib Aro made this known at a three day capacity building workshop for participants from the twenty local government area of Ogun state.
Chief Aro while delivering his keynote address said it is important for traditional medicine practitioners to preserve the forest and assist in fighting the climate change.
He also called for the development of traditional medicines for integration into the nation’s health care system as well as work towards eradicating poverty among the masses.
Chief Shuaib Aro added that the body will work towards identifying economic plants most especially medicinal and animal species that are naturally endowed in each local government area in Nigeria.
On ways to help herbal medicine practitioners become better, Chief Aro said the body will see to the availability of natural plants.
He assured that farmers will be encouraged to go into commercial production of some endangered plant species with availability in the market.
“We have established reliable networks for the purchase and sales of biodiversity products across the country and some neighbouring African countries including Cameroon, Republic of Benin and Ghana.
“Efforts are also on the way to reach-out to other African countries and the entire World. Farmers and potential farmers of biodiversity products shall be encouraged to go into commercial production of some endangered plant species and rearing of domestic animal species with assurance of availability of market.
“We shall also work with regulatory bodies, hunters and fishermen to protect and preserve endangered animal species from going into extinction.
“We have arrangements to ensure that natural plants needed by pharmaceutical
companies are produced and exportable plants are produced at world standard for exportation thus, reduce importation of pharmaceutical materials and improve Our exportation capacities for the balance of trade and payment, thereby improving our Nation’s economy.
The Director General National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari commended the organiser of the training saying that Nigeria is witnessing an unprecedented exodus of its finest brains in the field of medical science, of which Government has little or no capacity at all to halt the dangerous drift.
“It is therefore, not only a welcome development, but also a great relief both Government and Nigerians that a private sector initiative is seeking to develop, deploy and market what I consider a reliable alternative to medical science which has been tested and proven to be of immense benefits for the physical and mental health of humanity.
He commended the efforts and resilience of the President General, African Biodiversity And Traditional Knowledge Research and Development Project, Alhaji Aro for thinking outside the box and coming up with a solution to the nation’s challenges in the health sector.
“There is no doubt that this noble initiative will not only be of immense benefits to our citizens, but will also succeed in moving Nigeria to greatness”.
“This Three Day Workshop offers participants an opportunity to not only gain knowledge and by extension, intellectual empowerment, but also a rare opportunity to market a proudly made in Nigeria products whose solutions can stand any scientific cross examination. That is the new Nigeria “Can Do It” spirit.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Christopher Obadina noted that the training is positioned to further help promote made in Nigeria goods.
He said government will continue to assist and promote the conservation and traditional research.
The 3 day capacity building workshop is organized by African biodiversity and traditional knowledge research and development project in collaboration with National Orientation Agency.
