I think it can be a win-win on both the investment and humanitarian sides of this endeavor. The only thing that really concerns me is instability in Nigeria and the future intentions of the gov't towards XKEM. Maybe I misconstrued this article below but it sounded like perhaps Obasanjo really feels Nigeria should be reaping the financial reward for exploiting it's own resources and that XKEM would be useful in showing them how to do it. Maybe not a bad thing but something to think of down the road. Won't bother us Monday I'm sure. LOL.
Nigeria to develop traditional medicine
June 05 2006 at 06:18PM
Lagos - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo wants to set up a research institute to develop traditional plant-based medicine in his country, according to a government statement received Monday.
"Olusegun Obasanjo has directed his Health and Education Ministers to work out workable blueprints for the establishment of a Traditional Herbal Institute in Nigeria," the statement said.
The institute would focus on research, "monitoring basic production... and the administration and dispensing of herbal medicine in Nigeria," it added.
More and more people are using traditional treatments in Africa, given "the acceptability and affordability of herbal medical products," Obasanjo said.
"Sixty percent of children with high fever in many African countries were treated at home with herbal medicines," the Nigerian president said, citing a World Health Organisation report.
But he added Nigeria played only a "negligible" role as far as developing such treatments was concerned.
"The global market of traditional, alternative and complementary medicines with its $60-billion (about R403-billion) annual sales (is) being dominated by China and India, the two Koreas and other Asian countries," Obasanjo said.
This project was therefore "a major move forward for Nigeria" and showed the governments readiness to change the status quo, he said.
No date has been set for the project but Obasanjo said it should be up and running as soon as possible. - Sapa-AFP
“A fool and his money are soon parted.” ~Thomas Tusser
