By Sani Dutsinma
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has directed the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to identify a suitable forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for the cultivation and preservation of medicinal plants.
Governor Idris gave the directive when he received the leadership and members of the Coalition of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Kebbi State chapter, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
He said the initiative was aimed at preserving traditional medicine and preventing the disappearance of indigenous medicinal plants and herbs in the state, and pledged to fulfil all commitments made to the association, including the appointment of one Senior Special Adviser from each of the four emirates in the state.
Governor Idris said the state government would also organise a workshop for members of the association to enhance their knowledge and skills in traditional medicine and donated two vehicles to the association as part of measures to support its activities.
Idris said his administration had every reason to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national, state and local government levels, stressing that Kebbi State had benefited significantly from the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said several federal projects were being executed across the state, including the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo road projects.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Chairman of the NANTMP coalition, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, reaffirmed the association’s support and loyalty to Governor Idris, saying its members have been mobilized for the need to obtain their voters card a head of the 2027 elections.
He commended the governor for what he described as significant improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture, particularly the free distribution of fertiliser, farm inputs and equipment to farmers.
The chairman, however, appealed to the state government to allocate land for the cultivation of medicinal plants to reduce indiscriminate felling of trees and ensure sustainable access to traditional medicinal resources.
He also requested the provision of a permanent secretariat for the association and the organisation of capacity-building workshops to improve members’ knowledge and skills in traditional medicine.
Wasagu described the governor’s reception of the association at the Government House as historic, saying it demonstrated his administration’s recognition of the contribution of traditional medicine practitioners to healthcare delivery.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
