Anambra State-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, has now commenced a diploma certificate course in herbal medicine, domiciled at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University. The University now offers a professional Diploma in Herbal Medicine and Nutrition, following its first matriculation for students of herbal medicine, which was held at the university campus in Igbariam, Anambra State. This move formalizes the learning and study of herbal medicine at COOU. With the matriculation, COOU becomes the first University in Southeastern Nigeria to offer a Professional Certificate in herbal medicine, according to the Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the university, Professor Chinwuba Akunne.
The well-attended matriculation has the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who represented the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, graced the occasion. Remarkably, Dr. Ibezim was a former senior aide to Anambra’s immediate past Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, on herbal medicine, and he commended the University’s foresight in this regard.
In his address, Professor Akunne, the Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, thanked the Deputy Governor and also the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, for her support and for her three Vs of Value, Viability and Visibility, “aimed to bring COOU to limelight and enviable heights. We can’t thank our VC enough,” the Dean said.
According to Prof. Akunne, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and Prof. Steve Okwudili Ogbonnia were the ones who initiated this idea. “Historically, it was our own late Prof. Steve Okwudili Ogbonnia and His Excellency here present, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who initiated this idea…Presently, the global stage for herbal medicine is one of increasing acceptance, integration, standardization, and commercialization. It is still the primary form of healthcare in many countries, including Nigeria,” Akunne said.
The diploma programme aims to blend homegrown medical solutions with mainstream modern medical solutions for holistic wellness. Over the years, herbal medicine has remained a major and potent field in medicine, with large patronage. However, because it is mostly unregulated and manned by ‘untrained’ practitioners, it remains highly suspicious. However, with this move by COOU, the stage might be set for the best of herbal medicine in the near future.
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