Redefining phytomedicine in Nigeria

Oladele Seriki Rahoof is an Abeokuta-based herbal medicine researcher who has been at the forefront of the integration of phytomedicine in Nigeria.
Phytomedicine, according to Wikipedia, is the science of illness and damage to plants, the causes thereof, their manifestations, their development, their dissemination, methods for maintaining plant health and also measures used to control plant diseases and their causes.
The 53 year-old indigene of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, has earned many national accolades in his quest to redefine herbal medicine research in the country.
This culminated in his nomination as an unsung hero, who has been working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria occupies its rightful position in the comity of nations.
Though he described his area of specialisation as phytomedicine, he does more of drug research with active substances obtained from plants. This, some experts described as phytopharmacology.
Regardless of the term used in explaining what he does, his recipes for the treatment of Tuberculosis through a research funded by an international organisation was commended by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
The goal-getter is renowned for his possible diabetes remedy submitted to NIPRD, though little has been heard about the recipes for about two years now. The recipe was among the first eight shortlisted from 80 recipes submitted to the NIPRD few years ago.
His determination in pursuing this cause made him resign his position as an accountant with a private firm in Kaduna in 2002. He has since been living on the meagre proceeds from his researches.
The National Diploma holder in Banking and Finance from Kaduna Polytechnic, at various times took menial jobs to sponsor himself in school.
After his elementary education at Obo Oke, Osogbo, old Oyo State in 1979, he worked as a house cleaner with one Dr. Phillips in Lagos before he proceeded to Orile Iludun Comprehensive Community Grammar School, Odeda, Ogun State. He graduated in 1985.
Having inherited the recipes from his father, his allies said nothing would deter him from using it for the benefit of humanity, not even the loss of two other children to an unexplainable ailment in a week. He lost two children later and is now left with one child out of five.
His friends said some powers-that-be, uncomfortable with his breakthrough, have been after him. While doggedly pursuing this course, he was attacked thrice.
Instead of being dissuaded, he said the scar left when some unknown people in Dei-Dei, Abuja, attacked him reminds him on his determination never to give up.
In 2013, he was kidnapped in Edo State while on his way to Ogun State. One Femi Fagbohun, then a student at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, found him in a gutter in Akungba, Ondo State.
“I could not fathom where I got the courage to help such a person, he was looking like a mad man,” Femi said. He continued, “He was with only a boxer shorts and smelly. I took him to my room without the knowledge of other students because some were calling him a member of Boko Haram sect.”
“But after I got to know he is a good person, and he has assisted me in many ways since then,” Femi explained.
While Femi was touched by his virtues, many people have been treated with his recipes, signalling the potency of phytopharmacology. Though he has been in hiding since 2013 due to incessant attacks, his goals are not hidden; to redefine phytomedicine in Nigeria.
While the struggle for research funding continues and the battle with unknown assailant persists, his determination to helping humankind remains unabated.