President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday at the State House, Abuja, received samples of the Madagascar herbal drug which the African country claimed could cure COVID-19.
However, he reiterated that he would
listen to science before allowing traditional or any new medicines to be
administered on Nigerians.
At an audience meeting with President Umaro
Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau who brought along with him the samples of the
traditional medicine as shared to African nations by Madagascar, President
Buhari said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicinal postulates
had remained the same. “We have our institutions, systems and processes in the
country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will
not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions,” said the
Nigerian President.
On the main reason for his visit, President
Embalo said having stabilized his country after the tussles that attended the
general elections won by him, he had come to seek counsel from his “father,”
President Buhari on his plan for a “government of national unity” and a
proposed war against corruption in his country.
He also said his new government met a country
beset with a number of issues and problems, the resolution of which would
require tremendous assistance from the “big brother,” Nigeria. “Problems of
Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need
your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down,
neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told
President Buhari.
In response to these demands, the Nigerian
leader commended “General“ Embalo on his confirmation as President and for
stabilizing the country. “I commend your political dexterity in getting the
opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said.
President Buhari restated the determination of
Nigeria to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new
government in Guinea Bissau. “I will cooperate and help in every way possible,”
assured the Nigerian President.