On this occasion of World AIDS Day, I have only very few words for our leaders at all levels - political, traditional, spiritual, temporal, civil society and the business community. It hurts to see anyone die. But, in particular, how HIV/AIDS victims die is a horror undeserved and a mirror on our CARE, our caring or the lack of both. It hurts! It hurts more when you know that we can and should DO more!! And, by God, this country - NIGERIA - can.
What am I talking about? You know! But in the spirit of public service, and to spread our "dirty" linen in the sun (if we must), a few thoughts may be the elixir we all need now. Isn't this the season of ideas? After all we head for 2007 Elections with great expectations! So, this note really is clearly more appropriate to the incoming political leadership, and others "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN".
Who does not know that but for herbal medicine and nature cure our peoples in Africa, the Americas and most of Asia Pacific will be all dead or mostly crippled by now???
Who does not know that surveys upon surveys, polls after polls, have consistently and constantly shown, and reaffirmed, that over 70% of citizens in the developed world, especially the WEST, patronize herbal/nature care??? Despite all their "advances"!
Who does not know that organic foods, drinks, drugs, and derivatives as well as cool "green products" are now returning to consumers' top-lists with a vengeance???
Who thinks the rise and rise of "green" Political Parties and NGOs/CSOs is a fluke or a mere fad??? Who thinks The "Kyoto Agreement" will fade away??? Ask George Bush!
Who does not know that AFRICA and SOUTH AMERICA remain the world's "greenest zones", and the bastion therefore of "all things organic"??? Add them to the "unspoiled" areas of Asia Pacific, and humanity can hum in health, good health.
If these were so, why have Nigerian leaders collectively and individually betrayed our people, our nation? Why have they not emulated both their Chinese and Indian counter-parts in using what-you-have to get-what-you-need/want? Why have they not emulated all their WESTERN counter-parts by putting-our-country-first?
Why are we importing foods, drinks and medicines, including (shamelessly!) herbal and nature care products which our lands have in abundance? Why create jobs or export existing jobs by blocking/undermining local production?
Why do we go in demeaning search (cap and bowl-in-hand!) for grants, loans and aid on these matters? Ignoring time-honed lessons, abandoning our home-resources, damning all our local experts/geniuses like Dr's Ojeih, Abalaka, Abdullahi, and their many pharmacy colleagues...all because of cheap foreign hand-outs! Where is our pride, where is our competitive/comparative advantage?
These local stars are shining abroad, patronized by governments and citizens as well as eminent research bodies, while our bureaucrats are busy denouncing them at home! Just imagine how much they can do for World Health if better supported, and the level of foreign exchange we can earn when widely patronized!
Why didn't the government ask for or commit 50% of all the foreign grants to local initiatives, including further R&D, improved processes, mass production and quality documentation by our OWN people? How can we rely on foreigners to "dominate" our own response to diseases they don't suffer or hardly have...in their own land???
I close by asking why it has just dawned on the government that dogonyaro (neem) is an effective anti-malarial, when our people (including the parents of our leaders!) and communities have been utilising same from time immemorial???
Let our resolve be "WORK THE LAND" to serve our people...and the world. This way, we can consign World AIDS Day to history...within a decade!
No comments:
Post a Comment