Chief Mrs. Flora Ifeanyichukwu Nkemakonam Ilonzo (Ambassador of Peace), who turns 70 years this September, speaks with OKEY CHRIS on a range of issues. Excerpts
How was growing up like and why did you choose herbal among other professions?
I’m an Artist; the first lady artist in the then East Central State comprising the present Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states. Herbal is in my gene, and my lineage. My father, and my great grand fathers from both father and mother sides were herbalists. Some people do ask me, why do I choose to be addressed as a herbalist. I am a reendowed herbalist known all over the world, because I have identified different plants from different parts of the countries by their uses and by their cure of different ailment. Coming to tradition, because you mentioned tradition, for your information, traditional medicine is different from herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine is one all over the world. When they mentioned Acantus Mutanus, is the same in China, Germany, America, etc. all other botanic name of plants are the same worldwide. Their differences come from their originating countries because of the climate condition, and chemical from the soil. But we, Nigerians are lucky, because in Nigeria climate condition, there is no excess sunlight. Our climate condition helps our plants and it increases the medicinal value of it.
So that is the difference.
I’m an herbalist because I know all plants and their medicinal uses. Every plant has a signature, and God has already created and made them for the cure of diverse ailments. It is left for you to carefully identify the parts of the body that appears on it as its signature. That is why I’m difference. It is through the signature of a plant you will discover its healing potentials. I’m a member of the world Drug Information Association (DIA) which comprises of various medical bodies in the world. I have treated various purported incurable diseases including cancer, pile, madness, amongst others in Awka and other parts of the world.
How are you combining the two time-demanding professions; Herbal and Artist?
Everything has its own time, according to Holy Scripture. I have passion for arts because of its creativity. Though I practiced Arts, I did not learn it. It is inside me. I taught it at Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu. In 1974, I had run arts training centre at Onitsha where I trained many students on Arts and Craft. Before I joined IMT, I already have products in textile mill. I also have a blown up images unlike those in use at IMT which is masque.
I did graphic arts, painting and sculpture. I singlehandedly handled all the paper arts work during the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1985.
At 70, age is no more on my side. Thus, I want to make chance for others on Arts practice. I can still direct and instruct people on best art practices not to take active part in the production process.
I can appreciate and support those that have devoted time in the Arts production so that the younger generation would be appreciated and encouraged to take up the profession.
Then in herbs, as I told you earlier, my great grandparents, and my parents were great herbalists.
Who are the important personalities you have come across in the course of your trade and what are those experiences that mold you to these levels?
If I start recounting my ups and downs in life, many people will feel bad about it. My answer to your question is that I have forgiven those that God used to mold me up to this level, because it is a bitter experience. I am celebrating how I saved Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as military Head of State (now President) in 1985 coup. I recovered ammunition, including nine bombs among others and stopped the visit of Gen. Buhari in 1984 which could have resulted into killing Igbo dignitaries that would trooped en mass to receive him in the South East states. All I want to remind you is that God bestows on me, the vision and the power. I am calling on people to join me in thanking God for His mercies and protection especially for that of 1985. I would have been killed by now. It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. You know I leaked the coup plan to the planners. You know what it means. It led to my demotion from level 15 as State Artist to level 12 in the civil service. Though I was not tortured, I was locked up in GOC 82 Division Enugu until the completion of the coup that removed
Buhari from office in 1985. I predicted the coup against Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. For that reason, I was invited by Brigadier Y. Y. Kure General Officer Commanding 82 Division Enugu and was locked up. I predicted that coup and it happened as I predicted it. After the incident, I resigned from government service and vowed not to work with them again. Although I was favoured by the military through the acquisition of this estate, I have saved so many lives through my predictions.
As a great Artist are you still running an institution where talented artists are groomed?
I am a member of Arts Council. Arts Institutions do come here for counseling and consultations. I do also support them whenever they are doing something. During my own time as a state Artist, I setup cultural troop at Enugu, under Arts council. Those years, I attended events with some of my troop for cultural displays within and outside the country e.g. Igbo World day. It is unfortunate that these days, politicians hire cultural troops abroad instead of equipping or using our local cultural troops. It is discouraging. For herbal medicine, I thank God because my name has entered in the record of world renowned herbalists.
What are your unique achievements in the profession?
There are many outstanding performances in the herbal to my credit. I have raised somebody, doctors certified dead, in Germany with Africa Never Die (Brycophyllum pinatum/Oda-Opue). I have also cured chronic piles, madness and lots more. I thank God, because he is using me mightily and it gives me joy.
