Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has directed the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to identify a suitable forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for the cultivation and preservation of medicinal plants.
Governor Idris gave the directive when he received the leadership and members of the Coalition of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Kebbi State chapter, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
He said the initiative was aimed at preserving traditional medicine and preventing the disappearance of indigenous medicinal plants and herbs in the state.
“We do not want our traditional medicine to vanish or disappear. I have directed the ministry concerned to find a forest reserve for the association in the Kalgo Local Government Area,” he directed.
The governor also pledged to fulfil all commitments made to the association, including the appointment of one Senior Special Adviser from each of the four emirates in the state.
He said the state government would also organise a workshop for members of the association to enhance their knowledge and skills in traditional medicine.
According to him, the government had donated two vehicles to the association as part of measures to support its activities.
Governor Idris said his administration had every reason to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national, state and local government levels, stressing that Kebbi State had benefited significantly from the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said several federal projects were being executed across the state, including the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo road projects.
The governor added that his administration had renovated more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools across the state, with the exercise still ongoing.
He said 26 of the 30 general hospitals in the state had also been renovated, while 176 of the 225 primary healthcare centres had so far been renovated and equipped.
“The remaining ones will be renovated soon,” the governor assured.
He urged traditional medicine practitioners to sustain their support and cooperation with his administration and the Federal Government to ensure the continuity of ongoing development projects.
Governor Idris said the achievements recorded by his administration justified the call for continued support for President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He thanked the association for the honour and pledged that the state government would continue to support initiatives aimed at preserving traditional medicine and improving the welfare of practitioners across the state.
Earlier, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, Kebbi State Chairman of the NANTMP coalition, reaffirmed the association’s support and loyalty to Governor Idris, saying its members would mobilise for the APC in the 2027 elections.
“We have come to reiterate and reaffirm our support and loyalty to you, as we did during your previous campaign in 2023,” Wasagu said.
He commended the governor for what he described as significant improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture, particularly the free distribution of fertiliser, farm inputs and equipment to farmers.
Wasagu also lauded the administration for improving the standard of general hospitals, upgrading infrastructure, and completing the ultra-modern motor park and secretariat.
He said the association had more than 40,000 members across the state and was prepared to mobilise them to support Governor Idris and President Tinubu in the forthcoming elections.
The chairman, however, appealed to the state government to allocate land for the cultivation of medicinal plants to reduce indiscriminate felling of trees and ensure sustainable access to traditional medicinal resources.
He also requested the provision of a permanent secretariat for the association and the organisation of capacity-building workshops to improve members’ knowledge and skills in traditional medicine.
Wasagu described the governor’s reception of the association at the Government House as historic, saying it demonstrated his administration’s recognition of the contribution of traditional medicine practitioners to healthcare delivery.
He thereafter presented Governor Idris with an award titled “Sarkin Yakin Masu Maganin Gargajiya” in recognition of his performance and leadership.
Signed:
Yahaya Sarki
Special Adviser (SA), Media and Publicity
to the Kebbi State Governor
19/8/2026
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