By Binta Shama Abuja
Th e federal government is collaborating with the Chinese government on alternative medicines for the cure of various diseases. Th e Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when he received delegates from Green Centre for Alternative Medicine Practitioners. Onu explained that the partnership of the two countries will tighten and strengthen the relationships. “we have cordial relationship between Nigeria and china, and we share common interest in the commercial world.
China has a very advance technology in natural medicines application, they harvest, process and market many of their natural products all over the world. Nigeria also intends to start doing that by working with you in cooperating and collaborating. We can exchange information which would help both countries and the world at large.” “We must fi nd alternative means of health care because many of the drugs we use presently have side eff ect and natural medicine gives us possibilities of remedies that may not have toxic side eff ect that is why it is important that research work and innovation should go on in natural medicines.
We encourage it and the ministry is working hard to make sure that all our product are fi rst properly utilized to fi nd remedies for many of the illnesses we have in the country and also for industrial application.” Dr. assured the support and corporation of the government with china on these areas needed. He further explained “the Nigerian national development agency council has its head quarters in Lagos and doing a lot of work for the country which have tremendous results for the world because Nigeria has bio diversity in the area of natural medicines in terms our leaves, roots, stems, trunks and so far we have been having very encouraging results. We are using natural medicine to cure certain diseases like epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, though not common in china but in countries that have black people.” He wrapped up his speech inviting the investors to come to Nigeria and show interest in commercializing in many of our research fi ndings. Also speaking at the was the Vice President, international Aff airs Green Centre for Alternative Medicine practitioners. “we are here with a team of Chinese expatriates and investors in various areas of our economic development to invest in the growing entrepreneurs. Our interest is in the manufacturing of smart phones locally, to reproduce income and job creation for the nation, and improve healthcare development especially in health analysis” she said
