The Global Peace Foundation International through its International Organising Council for African Leadership has concluded plans to honour African presidents who played critical roles in curbing Covid-19 pandemic on the continent.
The Ntisong Ibibio III, Imperial Majesty, Dr. Essien Ekidem, disclosed this Friday in Uyo, while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming African Leadership Icon Awards to be held in Nigeria, particularly in Akwa Ibom state, in August.
The monarch, who congratulated African leaders on their roles to curb first and second waves of the pandemic, said an Icon Merit Award would be given to them across the 54 African countries through Global Peace Foundation International in Uyo.
He said the event would be themed; Let Celebrate Our Living Icons, adding that African leaders billed for the award were President Mohammed Buhari (Nigeria); Ibrahim Boubacar (Mali); Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa); Paul Biya (Cameroon); Ali Bongo (Gabon); Nana Akwufo Addo (Ghana), and George Weah (Liberia) amongst others.
He further urged the federal government to adopt an alternative medicine approach to combat the impending Covid-19 pandemic third wave.
The grand patriarch, who noted that it was not too late for the country to delve 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 a huge problem to the already devastating economy that was trying to spring back.
Ekidem called on the government at all levels, including multinational oil companies and governmental and non-governmental organisations to sponsor and support herbal medicine manufacturers to engage in serious research and production of anti-Covid-19 medicines for the benefit of those in the rural areas.
“Sometime in 2020, we experienced a global pandemic disease called Covid-19. This was a bitter experience ever since I was born , especially in the case of greeting our beautiful women, according to our culture. Many lost their loved ones in schools, churches, mosques, businesses, private and public places; some public hospitals were locked down across the entire world.
“It is crystal clear that the third phase of Covid-19 is on the fast lane to hit the world again; so, it’s better to have alternative medicine for the prevention and eradication of pandemic instead of waiting for the high-cost foreign vaccines,” he said.
