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‘Africa Has The Best Herbs’ – Says Ooni As He Unveils COVID-19 Herbal Drugs

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Respected Yoruba monarch, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said he is still in wonder why the African continent go after developed countries to import medical ingredients.

Naija News understands that Ooni stated this while unveiling a series of traditional medicines, made from local herbs, that is capable of fighting against infectious diseases including the dreaded COVID-19 disease.

Speaking at the product launch which was held at the Ile Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife on Thursday, February 25, the monarch said it is a proven fact, which is equally established by the World Health Organisation, that Africa has the best herbs which can be used for vaccine production.

This online news platform understands that the launching of the herbs was done through a platform called Herbal Remedies with the Ooni as the Chairman, in partnership with ace traditionalist, Dr Akintunde Ayeni, C.E.O/Chairman of YEMKEM International LTD.

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“We are not doing this in isolation and I am happy to inform you that the National Assembly is currently working on a bill submitted by the Federal Executive Council,” Ooni noted while addressing newsmen.

He added that “the bill has passed through several legislative procedures and shall be passed into law very soon.”

According to Ooni, a foundation has been launched for indigenous research-based initiatives in traditional medicines.

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He continued: “I am very honoured to be in partnership with the oldest, YEMKEM International, which has been in the industry for the past 40 years.

“He owns the largest (herbal medicine) production plant in Nigeria; We have been on this for over one year during which we have worked with various stakeholders in the health sector, including the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“To the glory of God, NAFDAC gave us all the approvals last September but I insisted that the products be packaged properly. To the glory of God, these products have been tested, especially on thousands of COVID-19 patients, including some in positions of authority who are currently free from the pandemic,’’ the Oba said.

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The Yoruba monarch revealed that one among many others of their focus is to employ 100,000 youths within the next fifteen months.

In his goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, commended the Ooni over the innovation, adding that many youths would be engaged productively.

He said: “If you study the value chain associated with this innovation right from the cultivation of herbs, production, packaging and distribution, it is obvious that many jobs will be created and countless doors of opportunities opened for our youths,”

On his part, the Chairman of YEMKEM, Dr Akintunde Ayeni, described the development as his greatest achievement in his over 40 years of practice. Ayeni explained that such landmark achievement was more spectacular because it is coming from Ile-Ife, the “source of mankind’’.

He said: “It was not easy and I wish to state that the Ooni, who conceived the idea, gave us all the support, including huge sums of money.

“He has been supportive morally, financially and spiritually and I appealed to other monarchs to emulate these good virtues,”

Speaking also at the event on behalf of the Commissioner, Osun State Ministry of Health, Mr. Gbenga Adepoju, pledged the government’s support for the newly launched products, noting that the country had what it would take to solve her problems.

Adepoju, who is the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, said Ooni’s effort in the development of a vaccine against COVID-19 was a huge addition to the government’s effort.

“As we keep fighting against this common enemy, I want to implore us to keep observing the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of nose masks, observing social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene.”

In their separate speeches, NAFDAC Director-General, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Jimoh Abubakar, commended the fatherly role of Ooni in ensuring that the citizenry enjoys qualitative health. Also, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), represented by Mr Gideon Amosun, declared the organisation’s support for the innovation, applauded the frontline African monarch over the medical breakthrough. (NAN) The herbal products unveiled included Verozil, an immune booster; Bitter Leaf Capsule and produced to attack diabetes and high blood pressure.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 634 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the new cases were reported in a post on the disease control agency’s Twitter handle on Thursday night, February 25, 2021.