Chairman of the Governing Board of the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, High Chief Abudu Ugbesia, has sent a strong warning to traditional medical practitioners in the state to desist from unwholesome practices or risk jail term.
Addressing the media on the side of a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, Chief Ugbesia stated that the meeting is meant to sensitise the public about the activities of traditional medical practitioners and dispel the wrong impression so people have that they’re ritualists.
“We treat but God heals. We’re creating awareness that what happens in other places where human skulls is used(fetishism) and doing all sorts of forbidden things will not be accepted here in Edo State. We have given our members sound warning to desist from such.
“This is Edo State. We are law abiding citizens. Out of 12 we know there must be a Judas but we’re not as rough as most states are doing. We advice our members to be effective. That they should only do what they’re proficient in.
“And for those of them who are operating without been licensed the day of judgement is here. Such persons should be ready for a jail term of two years or a fine of one million naira (₦1, 000,000) in a mobile court.
“We have made it known to our members that we must generate revenue for the state government. The government is working constructing infrastructures that will affect the state positively. So, we must also contribute our quota.”
He disclosed that the sensitisation programme would be spread across the 18 local government councils of the state.
In her own submission, Princess Helen Asekhamen, a devotee of Olokun, said the stakeholders meeting is a way of sensitizing the populace about the benefits/importance of traditional medicine.
She advised the members to be of help to each other when the need arises as each have their areas of specialty.
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