….As Professor Jemico Okeleke Says, Government Recognition of Traditional Medicine Practitioners, A Welcome Development.
By Victor Bieni, Ogwashi-Uku
The Aniocha South Local Government Chairman, Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Professor Jemico Okeleke has Commended the Management of Delta State Traditional Medicine Board for their commitment towards ensuring that Traditional Medicine Practitioners are accorded its due Recognition by Delta State Government.
Professor Jemico Okeleke made this assertion pen-ultimate weekend at his premises in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA, Delta State when the Executives and members of the Traditional Medicine Practioners In Aniocha South Local Government Area received a delegation of the Management of Delta State Traditional Medicine Board.
Professor Jemico Okeleke while commending members of the Association in Aniocha South LGA for their commitment enjoined the Board to support the group in every activities, programs, meetings of the Association whenever the occasion demands.
Prof Jemico also draw the attention of the Board on the need for already registered members to only renew their Licenses to avoid double registration.
Also that the Board should watch the tendency for new comers in the Profession not to neglect the local leadership as a body that can enlighten then on proper screening and registration processes.
DTSTMB Management team, who Represented the Executive Secretary of the Board, the Board Director, Mr Felix Okpeki, then tasked the Association on proper documentations of Members in Aniocha South LGA for statistical reasons, purposes for the entire members.
The team Commended Professor Jemico Okeleke and the entire members of the Association for being the founding fathers, while thanking Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for supporting the Board in organizing Seminars, Workshops and Programs for Practitioners in the State.
DTSTMB representatives stated that the documentation of the total number of Traditional Medicine practitioners in each of the 25 LGAs such as Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Aniocha North, and other Local Government is on-going.
The Executive Secretary, Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, Therefore urged the members of the Association in Aniocha South to ensure that their Environment where they Practicing their Profession is condusive for their customers. That members should be encouraged to attend meetings of the Association led by Professor Jemico Okeleke. The group should avoid quackery as fake Traditional Doctors will be arrested during the the inspection of the Practitioners. They should register, get their Certificates, Licences to Practice. That the old Members should renew their License if expired.
The team who used the opportunity to encourage members of the Traditional Medicine practitioners in Aniocha South LGA, stated that it is very imperatives that the data base, total number of the members in the LGA be forwarded to the Board to know the authentic Practitioners so as to enable Government plan better empowerment packages for the members of the Association.
Speaking further Professor Jemico promised to encourage members of the Association in their various communities within the LGA, mobilize and get the data for the Board within one week. He urged the selected Herbal inspection officers, Volunteers in Aniocha South LGA; Dr. Kentua, And Dr Dada who were recommended to the Board as Aniocha South LGA representatives for Herbal inspection to join the Board in the on-going inspection of homes, clinics, Environment, Herbal shops of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the entire State.
The Patron and member of African Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Aniocha South LGA, Dr. Lawrence thanked the Board for coming to visit the members of the Association in Aniocha South LGA, he also applauded Professor Jemico Okeleke for his commitment to the achievement of the group’s objectives. He also thank members for their unity and oneness of purpose.
Conclusively, in a vote of thanks to the Management of the Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, the Vice Chairman, Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Aniocha South LGA Chapter, Dr. Okwuose appreciated the kind gestures of the Board and prayed the Almighty God to use them as an object of empowerment for the entire Members of the Association towards socio-economic development of the State and Nigeria in general.