His fame has spread beyond Port Harcourt. His claim may appear exaggerated. Many backs the efficacy of his herbal remedies.
By Adedoyin Olaleye
After food, health is, perhaps, one of the greatest needs of man. However, many people across the world are caught in the dilemma of relying only on orthodox medicine or trying out tradomedicine for particularly troubling and recurring ailments.
This dilemma is being resolved with the increasingly important role tradomedicine is playing in healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Variously called traditional doctor, native doctor, and herbalist, among other monikers some of which are not so edifying, their significance can be gleaned from the names the three major tribes call their medicine men. The Yorubas refer to them as the babalawo while they are dibia Igbos and boka among the Hausas. In the case of Husband Material, he is generally known as Dibia. Indeed, he calls himself that too.
Thinking of traditional medical practitioners, one would have mental images of old men or women poorly attired and unkempt. This is far from what the reality is when I met Husband Material, whose real name is Valentine Ikegbunam, CEO of the famous Husband Material in Port Harcourt. The 34-year old Nigerian tradomedical practitioner is making waves across the country, treating many with herbs indigenous to Nigeria. He says the knowledge was ignited when he discovered the cure to an ailment that plagued him for a long time.
Husband Material is treating many ailments using Nigerian herbs. He declares he has herbal solutions for ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility, inflammation, hemorrhage, urinary infections, fever, obesity, miscarriage, and erectile dysfunction, among many others. All the herbs, he says, are sourced in Nigeria. He cured himself of hypothyroidism.
The ailment led to an inexplicable increase in weight, to the point of being obese. He could not stop the weight gain or reduce it through exercising, due to incessant fatigue. He, therefore, dedicated himself to the search for a cure. It was at this point that he discovered herbal remedies for many other ailments. “If you know the power of the herbs around you, you’ll know that serving God is sweet,” he once said.
His tradomedical solutions have had a positive impact on many people, as the reporter can also testify to the efficacy of Husband Material’s solution. In truth, Husband Material is one of the kings of herbs, roots, plants, and natural remedies we’re blessed with within Nigeria. The next step is subjecting these solutions to scientific and medical evaluation by statutory bodies, and indeed, peer review.
The Chinese have done well in tradomedicine, to the point of exporting their herbs to other counties. China’s annual herbal production is valued at ₦20 trillion (US$48 billion); of this, the country exports ₦1.5 trillion ($3.6 billion), as highlighted in science direct
Nigeria is not less endowed with herbs. Bringing structure and systems into this largely opaque sector has the potential to all-around well-being of the country and its citizens.
Adedoyin Olaleye, an award-winning international poet and art enthusiast, writes from Lagos.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
