Oshiomhole, Edo Deputy Governor, Present At Edo TMB Stakeholders' Meeting
By: Marvelous Oseyomon
On Tuesday 3rd June 2025 at the Festival Hall, Government House, Osadebey Avenue, Benin City, the Edo state Traditional Medicines practitioners, held a stakeholders' meeting where the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the Edo State Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, and a host of other government functionaries and personalities were present.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Edo State Traditional Medicines Board, TMB, High Chief Dr. Abudu Ugbesia, JP, who used the opportunity to thank Governor Monday Okpebholo for recognizing Edo state Tradomedical Practitioners, and the Board, announced that, the stakeholders' meeting, the second, since his assumption of office, in April, 2025, as the Chairman of the Board, will be holding from time to time, so members can constantly brainstorm on how to rebrand and move the board forward.
He said; "You all will agree with me that this Board was abandoned by the former administration for several years, until Senator Monday Okpebholo emerged as the governor of the state".
"In revamping Edo state TMB, stakeholders’ meetings of this nature will be coming up from time to time, so we can brainstorm on ways forward".
The Chairman of the Board invited all Tradomedical Practitioners to join him in rebranding the image of Edo state Tradomedical Practitioners, saying; "In view of the above, we all have a lot to do in repositioning the Board. Therefore, I invite you to do all you can, in rebranding the image of tradomedical practitioners as people that restore the sick back to good health. My office is open to quality advice in this regard".
"...as a new Edo state is rising, a new Edo Tradomedical Practitioners is also rising alongside".
Chief Ugbesia concluded by requesting members of Edo state Traditional Practitioners, who are specialists in Occultism and Divination to use their skills and knowledge in stopping the incessant but questionable rate of kidnappings in Edo state.
Addressing the gathering, the Edo state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who spoke in pidgin English, so as to effectively communicate with all the Tradomedical Practitioners, commended the practitioners for the good work they are doing in complementing the efforts of orthordox Medicines Practitioners in Edo state. The Edo state Commissioner for Health, also enumerated the efforts that Edo state government has so far carried out in the Health sector.
Delivering his lecture titled: "Indigenous Medicines and Cultural Practices in Contemporary Times in Edo state: A call for synergy", Professor Matthew Izibili, the Guest Speaker, harped on the significance of indigenous medicine in Edo state, the need for synergy among traditional practitioners, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders, in promoting the development, recognition, documentation and integration of indigenous medicines into health care systems.
Professor Matthew Izibili also emphasized on the need for Research and Development, Capacity building, Community engagement and policy reforms.
In his 'call to action', Professor Izibili said; "...most people stay away from patronizing tradomedical practitioners, because of the secrecy that some of such practices are associated with, improper hygiene in the preparation and use, unhealthy and unrealistic claims of some practitioners, near absence of measurements and quantity of dosage, uncleared duration and expiration of drugs, amongst other reasons.
Finally, the Guest Speaker, urged practitioners to imbibe the spirit of synergy and collaboration, the spirit of working together to promote the development, recognition and integration of indigenous Medicines in Edo state, harness collective strengths, share knowledge and support one another in the quest to promote health, wellbeing and cultural heritage of our communities.
Finally, Chief Dr. Christopher Igene, PhD, moderated the interactive session, where pertinent questions regarding Tradomedical practices in Edo state were asked, and responded to.
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