𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: ... 𝐔𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: ... 𝐔𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

By: Oriaifoh Godwins

The Chairman, Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, TMB, High Chief Abudu Ugbesia, JP, during this year's occasion of the celebration of Africa Traditional Medicines Day, has called for a renewed commitment towards the preservation, promotion and reawakening of the rich traditional medicine heritage of our ancestors.

𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘈𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘶 𝘜𝘨𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢, 𝘑𝘗. 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘌𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘛𝘔𝘉

High Chief Traditional Doctor Ugbesia made this call while speaking with Winning Media on the activities of the Board to mark this year's celebration that held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, JOOPSA, Benin, on Monday 31st of August 2026.

The Chairman of the board, who thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for his foresight in bringing Edo TMB that has been dormant over the years, back to life, also pointed out that Edo State Traditional Medicines Board, is older than several government agencies in Edo state, and today, he is happy that the foundation he is laying to ensure that the board is no longer relegated to the background, is yielding results.

High Chief Abudu Ugbesia, who harped on the need for people to continue to use herbs and roots in the management and treatment of sicknesses, added that, natural materials such as herbs and roots has no negative effects on the users, saying;  "the beauty of medicine, is the restoration of the sick back to life".

Continuing, High Chief Abudu Ugbesia who maintained that our Trado-medical practitioners are extremely good in their own rights, added that, they only need Government's support to excel and prove their worth.

The Chairman, Edo state TMB, noted that the past one year has provided an opportunity for the Board to reposition the traditional medicine sector in Edo State through greater awareness, engagement with stakeholders and efforts aimed at promoting acceptable standards among practitioners.

According to him, traditional medicine remains an important aspect of the cultural heritage of the people and has continued to play a significant role in healthcare delivery across communities.

He stressed on the need for practitioners, relevant government agencies, traditional institutions and members of the public to work collectively towards preserving indigenous knowledge and ensuring that traditional medicine is practised in a safe, responsible and professional manner, saying; "the beauty of medicine, is the restoration of the sick to good health, and over the years, traditional medicines has proven to be very effective in this wise".

High Chief Ugbesia who thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the support he has been rendering to the board, and his visionary leadership of the state, said the Board remains committed to ensuring proper regulation of traditional medicine practice, while encouraging research, documentation and the preservation of indigenous medicinal knowledge for future generations.

He called on the people of Edo state, to take pride in their cultural heritage, noting that; "the reawakening of traditional values, such as the use of roots and herbs in restoring the sick back to good health, will contribute significantly to the preservation of our identity".

The Chairman also appreciated the staff of the board, stakeholders and members of the Board for their support and cooperation since he assumed office.

He assured that the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board will continue to pursue initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector and creating greater public awareness about the importance of traditional medicine.

High Chief Ugbesia reiterated his commitment to providing purposeful leadership and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the traditional medicine sector in Edo State is better organised, regulated and positioned to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of the people. 

Concluding, Ugbesia maintained that, the celebration of this year's Africa Traditional Medicines Day, is not only an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in Edo state TMB, but also a call to action for Edo people to join hands in preserving, promoting and reawakening the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the state.