…Commends Prof. Maurice Iwu for Promoting Traditional Medicine at HerbFest 2026
Former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, has called for greater recognition and integration of herbal medicine into the healthcare system, urging relevant authorities to ensure that African traditional medicine receives the necessary approval and recognition in hospitals.
Ibe made the call at the 17th Edition of HerbFest 2026 on Thursday, held at Ridge Event Centre, Owerri, where stakeholders in herbal medicine, healthcare and related fields gathered to celebrate the importance of medicinal plants and traditional healing practices.
Ibe stressed the need for society to embrace the potential benefits of herbal medicine, noting that African traditional methods of treatment deserve attention and consideration within the modern healthcare system.
He maintained that traditional medicine, when properly researched, tested for safety and effectiveness, and regulated by the appropriate authorities, could contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery.
The Imo State Speaker emeritus also congratulated the founder of HerbFest, Professor Maurice Iwu, whom he described as an erudite biologist and a distinguished scholar whose contributions to the promotion of herbal medicine and research into medicinal plants deserve commendation.
He praised Prof. Iwu for sustaining HerbFest over the years, describing the initiative as an important platform for advancing discussions on the value of herbal medicine and the need to explore Africa’s rich biodiversity for healthcare solutions.
