B0othered by the high cost of foreign vaccines, the Ntisong Ibibio III, Dr Essien Ekidem has urged the federal government to adopt alternative medicine to combat the impending Covid-19 pandemic third wave.
Ekidem made the disclosure on Friday in Uyo, while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming African Leadership Icon Award to be held in Nigeria particularly, Akwa Ibom in August.
The Grand Patriach, who noted that it was not too late for the country to dive into medicinal research, stressed that a cure could be drawn from traditional herbal medicines.
According to him, the importation of costly foreign medicine was adding huge problem to the already devastating economy that was trying to spring back.
Ekidem further called on the federal government, States government, multinational oil companies, governmental and non-governmental organisations to sponsor and support herbal medicine manufacturers for serious research and production of anti Covid-19 medicines for the benefit of those in the rural areas.
“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 loss their love ones in, schools, churches, mosques, businesses, private and public places, even some public hospital were locked down across the entire world.
“To channel this course aright to some extent, I call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, our blessed state, Akwa Ibom under the leadership of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel, Oil Multi Nationals, NGOs, other states as well as spirited individuals to sponsor and support herbal medicine manufacturers in the state for more research and production of Anti Covid-19 now that the conventional (vaccines) medicine is scarce in supply to our rural dwellers.
“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.”
The monarch, who congratulated particularly African leaders on their roles played to curb first and second wave of the pandemic, hinted that Icon Merit Award would be given to them across the 54 African countries through Global Peace Foundation International in Uyo.
Revealing that the occasion would be themed: Let Celebrate Our Living Icons, He also disclosed that some of the African leaders billed for the award include, President Mohammed Buhari (Nigeria), Ibrahim Boubacar (Mali), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Paul Biya (Cameroon), Ali Bongo (Gabon), Nana Akwufo Addo (Ghana), George Weah (Liberia) amongst others.
