The Conservator General of National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni has asserted that biodiversity is key to traditional, complimentary and alternative medicine in Nigeria.
Goni said this in his goodwill message at the first Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Conference in Abuja, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the office of the First Lady of the Federation.
The Park Service boss disclosed that Nigeria is blessed with about 8,000 Species of plants, out of which 128 are indigenous to the country.
He added that most of these plants are held in Nigeria’s National Parks, which explains one of the reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the establishment of Ten new National Parks in the country.
“The rich collection of plant species is an important input in the development of traditional and alternative medicine in the country.
“Traditional and alternative medicine is cheap and easily accessible, hence when properly harnessed, will make a significant contribution to the effective health care delivery in the country”.
The Conservator- General commended the First Lady, Dr Aisha Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health for the initiative and praised the First Lady for her interest in Biodiversity Conservation.
The high point of the occasion was the inspection of stands by Aisha Buhari, where some traditional medicine and indigenous plants were on display.
