Nigeria can be world leader in Phytomedicine – Prof Pandey

Prof. Ramesh Pandey, an internationally acclaimed scientist in the area of phytomedicine (natural medicine) and the current President of GDP Ayurvedic University, New Jersey in the USA yesterday said Nigeria had  a golden opportunity to become a world leading country in phytomedicine if its resources are properly harnessed.
Daily Trust reports that University of Jos Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science became an Africa Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research Development (ACEPRD) in 2014.
Prof. Pandey who served as keynote speaker at the 1st International conference on phytomedicine research and development organised by the African Centre of Excellence for Phytomedicine Research and Development, University of Jos said phytomedicine which means natural herbal medicine, are non-toxic and urged the ACEPRD and students of the centre to believe in themselves if they must succeed.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai said UniJos is one of the 10 African centres of excellence in Nigeria and one out of 23 in the West African sub-region with an $8million World Bank support and it’s equivalent matching grant from the institution.
On his part the Plateau State Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden said provision of expertise in the health care delivery system and integration of traditional medicine were crucial to establishing efficacy in the treatment of diseases.