Key security and health agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, have commended the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) for its strides under the leadership of Prof. Martins Emeje, who recently marked two years in office as the Director General.
Leaders of the agencies made their remarks during a ceremony commemorating Emeje’s second year in office, highlighting the agency’s achievements in research, innovation, and its contributions to national health development through natural medicine.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, praised NNMDA for its commitment to national well-being, even amidst the battle against fake and substandard medicines in the country.
The CP, who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr Bose Salami, appreciated the passion and zest of the agency in ensuring the availability of technologically developed natural medicines to the Nigerian populace at very affordable rates.
“Over the past two years, your organisation has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the promotion and development of natural medicine,” Jimoh said. “Your commitment to research, advocacy, and community engagement aligns with our collective role in fostering a healthier and more resilient nation.
“On this special occasion, I commend you and your team for your achievement and encourage you to continue your vital work with passion and integrity. May this anniversary serve as a milestone of progress and catalyst for greater success in the years ahead.”
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Fu Mijinyawa, also applauded NNMDA’s transformational progress within the few years of Emeje’s leadership, describing it as a milestone achievement.
Mijinyawa, represented by Colonel Samson Idowu, a public health physician in-charge of the 81 Division Medical Services, affirmed the efforts of the DG, describing him as changemaker in the agency, as that was his first time of hearing about the agency’s giant strides in natural medicine development, with the vision to make indigeneous medicines the pillar of medicine security in the country.
“Over the last two years, this agency has achieved what it hasn’t been able to do in the past three decades,” Mijinyawa said. “This is my first encounter with NNMDA, and I’m impressed. It takes someone who knows where he is going to lead an agency this effectively.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service also weighed in, with B.A. Lawson, representing the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, praising the agency’s focus on addressing Nigeria’s health burdens using indigenous solutions “Wow, all these things are happening in just two years? It’s something to be proud of,” Nandap said. “You’ve identified the health challenges facing the country and are providing solutions, even for issues often overlooked like malaria and ulcers.”
Nandap also shared a personal plea for the agency to pay more attention to maternal health, nursing models, and HIV prevention—citing the tragic loss of his child due to inadequate care.
“I believe under your leadership, things will get better and better,” he said.
Earlier in his anniversary speech, the NNMDA DG highlighted the outstanding performance of the agency under his watch in the past two years, noting that the institute has developed 23 natural medicines through Nano technology, awaiting presidential launch. He averred that by refining traditional preparations into standardised products, the agency eliminates the need for individuals to constantly mix herbs or rely on unmeasured concoctions. This process promotes trust in natural medicine while ensuring better quality control.
The list of the agency’s achievement during his two years in office, are as follows: development of 23 indigenous drugs, global collaborations and staff empowerment, success in grant writing and recognition, establishment of cultural curriculum, certification and licensing of practitioners, creation of national digital database for traditional medicine practitioners, among others.
Prof. Emeje, who described these achievements as starting point for the agency, said the NNMDA can do much more, if given presidential endorsement, as such support would boost public and institutional confidence in the agency’s mission and lead to stronger national backing for traditional medicine.
“I want the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to endorse natural medicine”, Emeje requested. “If this is done, when people hear or see the endorsement from the president, they will tend to support the agency.”
He continued, “A major achievement of the agency has been in competitive grant writing. For the first time in its 30-year history, NNMDA has won three international research grants, placing the agency and its researchers on the global map and opening doors for partnerships.
“The agency’s success has led to international collaborations. Some NNMDA staff now co-supervise research abroad, particularly in South Africa, and are being recognised as experts. This development elevates Nigeria’s credibility in traditional medicine research,” he affirmed.
The high point of the two-year in office anniversary of Prof. Emeje, was the presentation of indigenous malaria prevention kits to the guests at the event.
