The Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) has opened its first zonal office in Ikorodu to serve the axis’ traditional medicine practitioners.
Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, Chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, addressed during the launch and praised Ikorodu practitioners for making the initiative a reality.
Prof. Adefule-Ositelu, on the other hand, urged practitioners to keep and maintain the edifice by taking ownership of it rather than viewing it as government property, and she pleaded for support from all stakeholders in Ikorodu and its environs in order to benefit from more developmental projects and commendable initiatives.
She said, “Don’t engage in any disagreement, unite for a strong purpose, speak with one voice, and I can assure you that by so doing, you will attract the attention of the government for more impactful projects”.
Speaking further at the event held at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, the Chairman informed the audience that, while the Board is currently working on drug standardisation and certification, all practitioners are expected to follow the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control requirements (NAFDAC).
Mr. Olorunkemi Kadiku, Registrar of the Board, expressed his delight in the successful commissioning of the edifice since the project’s conception in 2018.
Kadiku, who is also a member of the State Primary Health Care Board, urged practitioners to attend the Ikorodu zonal office for registration, renewal, or information about the Board’s activities, saying that all services are now available at the new location.
While describing Ikorodu’s strategic location in terms of ease of access, the Registrar stated that all training programmes would continue to be held at the LSTMB headquarters on the Island.
Prof. Rufus Oguntuase (JP), Head of Faith-based Practitioners, talked on the universality of traditional medicine in his goodwill message at the programme, stating that everyone uses traditional medicine in some way, whether through green leaf eating or drug intake.
He expressed gratitude to the Ikorodu community for making the project a reality and urged Chief Health Officers to increase their efforts for the sake of peace and cooperation with the State government.
Chief Dosu Joseph, Chairman of TBAs Ikorodu West, praised the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, for encouraging traditional medicine practitioners to uphold government directives, pleading with TMB to persuade practitioners to return home to their associations after training and registration.
Mrs. Kehinde Folarin, a representative of the State Primary Health Care Board, urged that training programmes for practitioners in Ikorodu and environs be held at the new office, and she praised the roles of stakeholders in the location of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board’s first zonal office in the axis.
Otunba Fatai Sulaimon, a member of the Board, also spoke and advised the audience to use the new office for all operations save training in order to reduce the risk and stress of travelling to the headquarters.
Other Board members present included Chief Tajudeen Mare Olusesi, Pharmacist Bayo Ogunbadejo, and Mrs. Temilade Fayemi, as well as management staff.