Interview: The Nigerian herbal
medical practitioner who cures several incurables diseases
How I Met Minister of Science and Technology – Pa Ejivade
Having a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the house
of one herbalist in a village has further projected not only the herbalist, but
also the powers of herbs. The 90 years old Pa Aliyu Giwa Ejivade who spoke in
Ebira in this interview with Ebira Reporters, gave insights on his scratch and
fame in the practice of traditional medicine.
Excerpts:
Tell us about your origin, and the name Ejivade.
I was born and bred in
Iriku, where Ebiraland expanded from. Iriku is in Adavi-Eba, in Adavi Local Government
Area of Kogi State. The name Ejivade should not be mistaken for a stranger.
Ebira people bear Ejivade and the Yorubas as well.
Did you learn the practice of traditional medicine from somewhere,
or you came to life with the gift?
My father was into the practice, and I stayed with him to learn
everything from him. After his death, I took over from him. I did not adopt the
practice for commercial purposes, but to cater for my family and friends in
their health challenges. But when many persons discovered the efficacy of the
medicines, they came to me, and I helped them to the best of my ability.
Breakthru Nigeria
From the information we got, you treat popular ailments like
prostate cancer, stroke, diabetes and others. Do you treat these ailments with
both herbs and spiritual consultations?
I don’t have shrine, and I do not know anything about
consultations of gods. My patients would only have to describe the nature of
their sickness before I know the kind of herbs to give them. I don’t tell my
patients to bring duck, or any other thing for consultations.
How long have you been into the practice of traditional medicine?
You know I don’t have formal education, but since I am 90 years
old now, I was about 40years when I started the practice, with my father alive
then.
How about side effects?
The only challenge I had when I started was dosage, but I came
over it by telling my patients to give feedbacks three days after taking the
herbs. For instance, if a patient responded to treatment but complained about a
minor effect, then I know the dosage was more than required. This is the only
education I had. None of my patients ever came back to give negative feedbacks
on the herbs I gave to them.
You learnt it from your father, is any of your children taking
after you?
I have many of my children who know herbs, but the only one who
has decided to practise it is Muhammadu Omeiza. Whenever I go into the bush, he
goes with me, and he knows the herbs.
Since you were not commercializing the practice, how did you meet
the Minister of Science and Technology and what prompted his visit?
First of all, I give God all the glory. Also, I appreciate Hajia
Isah Jummai through whom I met the Minister.
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Hajia Jummai Speaks:
Pa Giwa Aliyu Ejivade is my uncle. God sent us to meet ourselves.
I’ve known him from childhood to be into this practice of traditional medicine,
but no one knew about him. But since God has decided to project him to the
whole world in his old age, I became an instrument. Honourable Stephen Chika
from Anambra State is the woman whose husband had been ill for about 10 years.
She is my friend, and political mentor. She only told me recently that her 75
years old husband was about undergoing a surgery which made her restless. I
told her casually to bring her husband down to Okene, but she should give me
just two hours to get back to her. So I went to Pa Ejivade because I know God
has gifted him with the abilities to treat numerous ailments. When I met him,
explained to him that the man had prostate cancer, with such descriptions as
the bloody urines, inability to urinate, inability to stand, and that he has
lost much blood. He told me that they should not bring the man down to Okene,
but made a collection of herbs into liquid and asked me to send it to them.
The following day, it was Chika herself that came to collect the
herbs and took to her husband. Three days later, she called me on phone and
screamed my name. I became scared, thinking the husband was dead. But she broke
the news to me that her husband was healed completely, such that he can do all
he couldn’t do before. She was overjoyed that she even gave me the credits of
not allowing her husband to die, after God. From there, she began to tell people,
especially political stalwarts, including the Minister of Science and
Technology, Onu Ogbonnaya. She also sent the same herbs to a Hausa friend of
hers, who was sick and admitted abroad, and he got healed.
As it is now, you are Pa Ejivade’s Manager. What are the plans in
projecting the herbs, especially in reference to the Minister’s visit?
The Minister has promised to build house for him, and give him car
such that he will be able to accommodate patients. He also promised to bring
people from the Ministry.
....from ebirareporters.blogspot.com
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