As part of effort to find lasting solution to the coronavirus pandemic,the Oyo State Government has collaborated with the University of Ibadan, medical, traditional practitioners and scientists on ways to stem the tide of the pandemic ravaging the world.
Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Administration, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe revealed this to newsmen after the committee meeting at the Premier University.
Ogedengbe said this became imperative as the state is striving to come up with a solution that has scientific validation that would be accepted globally. He said,
“we want to start, we already know people that have the products, samples, mixtures and solutions but we don’t just want to take it on the surface and start promoting it.”
” we want to first subject the products to scientific validation, so that by the time out virologists, Botanists and other professionals in the University Community look at those solutions.”
“we will come up with something that the global community would benefit from, we want to really lead the pace for others to emulate.”
Ogendengbe added that this is line with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde, he said the state was not just looking at the containment of the pandemic but to ensure the virus is defeated and normalcy is returned to the state and the country.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka said the initiative is the best approach since it is an embodiment of people from different strata such as NAFDAC which represents the Federal Government, the representative of the State Government, Academia, private sector and the Traditional Medicine Practitioners. The Don asserted that there have been lots of mistrust over the years but as a conventional institution, he was confident they would be able to come up with a solution.
He added that the research wouldn’t be conducted using indigenous knowledge or oral tradition since no cure has been found for the pandemic. He stressed that the scientists at the Institution would collaborate with the Traditional Herbal Practitioners to chat a way forward.
In her goodwill message, the representative of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Preyere Edotimi, said the agency was ready to collaborate with all the herbal producers to ensure that the pandemic comes to an end. She added NAFDAC would expedite the registration facility of their products and that since the initiative is a collaborative effort, he urged the committee to get the agency the products for proper examination.
The event which was monitored by GOALPOACHER NEWS had in attendance the Baale Ekotedo, Chief Taye Ayorinde, Medical and Traditional Practitioners among others.
