The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioner (NANTMP), HRH Prof. T. O. Omon Oleabhiele said that his members have been sidelined by the Rivers State Government.
HRH Prof. Oleabhiele who made this known, during a courtesy visit to the chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, HM King Dandeson Jaja in his office on Tuesday, noted with displeasure that the state government is yet to constitute the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Board.
The National president of NANTMP also frowned at the inability of the Rivers State government to employ or appoint traditional doctors into various health committees both at local and state levels.
HRH Prof. Oleabhiele urged the state government to consider the traditional doctors in the scheme of things. He stressed the importance of traditional medicine practice in the development of the nation.
In his speech, HM King Dandeson Jaja thanked Prof. Oleabhiele for the visit and tasked them for aggressive research to meet the challenges of the time.
“Traditional medicine should be written down, so that people can make reference”, King Jaja asserted.
King Jaja who is also the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, however promised to partner with the association whenever the need arises.
While addressing a cross section of members of NANTMP at their Annual General Meeting AGM, in Port Harcourt, HRH Prof. Oleabhiele observed that the association has been characterized with hatred, gossip, blackmail amongst several others. He called for unity and oneness adding that no organization moves forward in the atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
The national president had earlier announced Chief Dr. Nyefeibo Nyefeibo as the caretaker committee chairman of the Rivers State chapter of NANTMP.
Responding, Dr. Nyefeibo thanked the association for organizing its AGM in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State. ###
