By Abdullahi InuwaÂ
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has ordered the Ministry of Environment and relevant government agencies to identify a suitable forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for the cultivation and preservation of medicinal plants.
The governor gave the directive when he received the leadership and members of the Coalition of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Kebbi State chapter, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
Governor Idris said the initiative was designed to protect indigenous medicinal plants and herbs from extinction while ensuring that traditional medicine practitioners have sustainable access to the resources they need.
He assured the practitioners that his administration would honour its commitments to the association, including the appointment of a Senior Special Adviser from each of the four emirates in the state.
The governor also announced plans to organise a capacity-building workshop for traditional medicine practitioners to strengthen their knowledge and improve their skills.
As part of efforts to support the association’s activities, Governor Idris donated two vehicles to the practitioners.
He further expressed confidence in the benefits of continued cooperation between the state and Federal Government, saying Kebbi had recorded significant development under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, several major federal road projects are currently ongoing across the state, including the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo roads.
Earlier, NANTMP Kebbi State Chairman, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, pledged the association’s continued support for Governor Idris.
Wasagu disclosed that members had been mobilised to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He commended the governor for what he described as remarkable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture, particularly the distribution of fertiliser, farm inputs and equipment to farmers.
However, the traditional medicine practitioners appealed to the state government to allocate dedicated land for medicinal plant cultivation.
They said such a move would discourage indiscriminate tree felling, protect endangered medicinal herbs and guarantee sustainable access to traditional medicine resources.
The association also requested a permanent secretariat and regular training programmes to enhance the professional capacity of its members.
Wasagu described the governor’s reception of the practitioners at the Government House as historic, saying it demonstrated government’s growing recognition of the role of traditional medicine practitioners in healthcare delivery.
The planned forest reserve is expected to provide a dedicated space for conserving medicinal plants while supporting the continued practice and development of traditional medicine in Kebbi State.
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