A’Ibom monarch urges FG to adopt alternative medicine to fight COVID-19

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Ntisong Ibibio III, Imperial Majesty, Dr Essien Ekidem, has urged the Federal Government to adopt an alternative medicine to combat the impending Covid-19 pandemic third wave.

Ekidem said this on Thursday in Uyo, while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming African Leadership Icon Award to be held in Akwa Ibom in August.

The Monarch said that it was not too late for the country to dive into medicinal research, stressing that a cure could be drawn from traditional herbal medicines.

According to him, the importation of costly foreign medicine was adding huge cost to the already devastating economy.

Ekidem called on the federal, state governments and multinational oil companies to sponsor and support herbal medicine manufacturers for serious research and production of anti-Covid-19 medicines for the benefit of Nigerians.

“Indeed, sometime last year 2020, we experienced global pandemic disease called Covid-19. This was a bitter experience ever since I was born in my life especially in the case of greeting our beautiful women, according to our culture.

“Many lose their loved ones in, schools, churches, mosques, businesses, private and public places, even some public hospitals were locked down across the entire world.

“To channel this course aright to some extent, I call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom Government. Oil Multi Nationals to sponsor and support herbal medicine manufacturers in the state for more research and production of Anti COVID-19 vaccines.

“It is crystal clear that the third phase of COVID-19 is on the fast lane to hit the world again, it’s better to have alternative medicine for prevention and eradication of pandemic waiting for high cost of foreign vaccines,” he said.

The monarch commended African leaders on their roles played to curb first and second wave of the pandemic.

He said that Icon Merit Award would be given to them across the 54 African countries through Global Peace Foundation International in Uyo.