The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has called on the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency, NNMDA, to tackle the growing issue of unregulated herbal drinks in the country.
Mr. Kabir Elelu, the ICPC Resident Commissioner for Lagos State, made this statement during a one-day training webinar titled, “Building a Transparent and Accountable Public Institution and Inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU, of the NNMDA.”
Elelu expressed his concerns about the widespread sale of herbal mixtures, commonly known as “Agbo,” by street vendors, warning that the consumption of such products posed significant health risks.
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“One particular area I want you to look at is the area of this natural medicine; how do we harness them and protect public health?
“You also need to look at how it has been bastardised by hawkers and some of them are killing our people.
“I want the agency to look into this and come out with a solution because it is a huge problem; it is a problem in all areas of the country with all kinds of concoctions that are killing our people.
“Now, we have high rates of liver cirrhosis and all kinds of diseases that can be associated with the intake of herbal concoctions.”
While outlining the ICPC’s mandate under Section 6 of its Act, Elelu described the commission’s responsibilities in tackling corruption, preventing it through system audits, and educating the public about its risks.
He highlighted the importance of ethics, integrity, and diligence in public service in the fight against corruption.
“Corruption has infiltrated every sector in Nigeria, resulting in insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and challenges in the oil and gas industry.
“As public servants, we must lead the fight against corruption, starting from our own spaces,” he said.
Elelu also praised the NNMDA for its strong performance on the ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, where it consistently scored over 70 percent.
However, he urged the agency to ramp up efforts in promoting transparency.
Prof. Martins Emeje, Director-General of the NNMDA, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to transparency in research and natural medicine development.
Emeje called the inauguration of the ACTU members a crucial step towards enhancing transparency and combating corruption.
“With transparency, we are driving the principle of Renewal of Hope to develop natural medicines.
“Most of our medicines are imported and that is the narrative we are changing; so, within one and a half years, we have proven that Nigeria can do it transparently without stealing,” Emeje said.
He expressed concern about the over-dependence on imported medicines, attributing it to the decline of traditional medicine due to colonialism and corruption.
The director-general encouraged Nigerians to act as positive ambassadors for the country, presenting its favorable narratives.
The event concluded with the swearing-in of five ACTU members from NNMDA and the ICPC team.
The newly inaugurated ACTU members pledged to uphold transparency and remain dedicated to the agency’s anti-corruption efforts.
Crediblenewsng.com
