The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, says Nigerians must look inwards to find solutions to the country’s challenges.
In an interview with NAN, she said while Madagascar had tried to tackle the challenge, Nigeria is still struggling.
Adeyeye said the country depends on the western world for solution to its challenges, saying things have to be done differently.
She added that it is a pity that “Nigeria had been a slave to China and India” in terms of drug reliance.
“Madagascar has done it. They have looked inward and came up with herbs; Nigeria has over relied on the white for everything,” she said.
“Some of us claim to love this country, but we do not. We have good weather, good environment, natural resources, but we are not making good use of them.
“We are proud of them (Madagascar). They appreciate what they have. We do not. All the herbs they have and are using, we have them. But we do not use them the way they are doing.
“They appreciate their brains and use them. We must do same here if we want to develop as a nation.”
Adeyeye said that the novel coronavirus had jolted the country, and challenged those in authority to make the health sector a major priority.
“COVID-19 has slapped us in the face. It has kicked us back and front. We are now facing the stark realities of being insecure,” she said.
“There is drug insecurity, medical devices insecurity, test kits insecurity; we have always depended on other nations for everything.”
