Kebbi To Create Medicinal Plants Reserve To Save Indigenous Herbs.
By Khadijat Saidu Kabiru
Birnin Kebbi
In a bid to preserve indigenous knowledge and prevent the extinction of medicinal herbs, the Kebbi State Government is to establish a forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for traditional medicine practitioners.
Governor Nasir Idris gave the directive to that effect today 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.
“We do not want our traditional medicine to vanish. I have directed the Ministry of Environment to find a forest reserve for the association in Kalgo Local Government Area,” Idris said.
The Governor also pledged to fulfil all commitments made to the association, including the appointment of one Senior Special Assistant from each of the four emirates in the state.
He said the state government would organise a workshop for members of the association to enhance their knowledge and skills in traditional medicine.
He said the government had also donated two vehicles to the association to support its activities.
Idris said the achievements recorded by his administration justified continued support for President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said Kebbi had benefited significantly from the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He listed ongoing federal projects in the state to include the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo road projects.
The Governor said that more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools had been renovated across the state, with the exercise still ongoing.
He said 26 of the 30 general hospitals in the state had been renovated, while 176 of the 225 primary healthcare centres had also been upgraded and equipped.
“The remaining ones will be renovated soon,” the Governor assured.
He urged traditional medicine practitioners to sustain their support and cooperation with his administration and the Federal Government to ensure continuity of ongoing development projects.
He thanked the association for the honour and pledged sustained government support for initiatives aimed at preserving traditional medicine and improving practitioners’ welfare.
Earlier, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, Kebbi State Chairman of NANTMP, reaffirmed the association’s loyalty to Governor Idris and pledged to mobilise members for the APC in 2027.
Wasagu also applauded the administration for upgrading general hospitals, infrastructure, and completing the ultra-modern motor park and secretariat.
He said the association had more than 40,000 members across the state and was ready to mobilise them to support Governor Idris and President Tinubu.
The Chairman appealed to the state government to allocate land for the cultivation of medicinal plants to reduce indiscriminate felling of trees, and to provide a permanent secretariat and capacity-building workshops for members.
Wasagu described the Governor’s reception as historic and presented him with an award titled (Sarkin Yakin Masu Maganin Gargajiya) in recognition of his performance and leadership.