From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Professor Edwin Omeje, a Professor of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has asserted that nature offers a cure for all human and animal diseases through its biosynthetic laboratories.
Professor Omeje made this statement during the 203rd Inaugural Lecture of UNN, titled “Nature as the Unmatchable and Incontrovertible Chemist: Evidence from Research in Natural Product Chemistry,” held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium.
He described nature as a unique creation of God that provides an unlimited repository of everything humans need (or will ever need) on Earth. He emphasized that the law of divinity and doctrine of signature states that plants and other natural resources grow where they are needed for food, nutraceutical, and healing purposes.
“This means that every healing need of humans and animals has been provided for in nature’s complex synthetic bio laboratories, as long as environmental equilibrium is maintained,” Professor Omeje explained.
“Despite the challenges facing Africa, especially for emerging natural product chemists, my research experiences have provided solid evidence that nature has more than we can ever discover,” he added. “All the trees, plants, and grasses in our environment are typical evidence of what nature has provided humans with, but proper research is needed to identify which diseases or ailments each plant or combination of plants can cure.”
Professor Omeje, who also serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at UNN, noted that our ancestors lived longer and healthier lives due to their consumption of natural foods and substances containing natural chemicals.
“Our forefathers relied on natural foods, fruits, and other things that contain natural chemicals within their environments to live,” he said. “Today, we load our bodies with foods that contain synthetic chemicals.”
“Once we start dealing with genetic modifications of anything, we are trying to alter the original creation, and it may result in cancer or other incurable diseases,” he warned. “Research findings so far provide evidence that God perfectly and completely signed His Autograph in nature.”
The inaugural lecturer also noted that Nigeria and Africa have a rich repository of herbal medicines but expressed concern that some African herbal practitioners associate their practice with spiritism and occultism.
“It is disheartening that some herbal practitioners would link their practice of using natural herbs to cure diseases to one evil (spirit) or the other, by telling their supposed patients to sacrifice one thing or the other to activate the potency of the herbal drug,” he said.
Professor Omeje commended Professor Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, for his continued confidence in him and the opportunity to serve as the Dean of Student Affairs under his administration. He also expressed gratitude to his wife, Mrs. Confidence Omeje, and his children for their support, and extended special thanks to religious leaders, traditional rulers, his friends, and well-wishers who came from far and near to witness the lecture.
Earlier in his remarks, Professor Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, stated that the Inaugural lecture is a significant occasion in an academic staff member’s career at the university. He added that it provides professors with the opportunity to share their research works and teaching activities with the University community and the general public.
The VC described the UNN 203rd Inaugural Lecturer as one of the pillars of his administration due to his commitment and dedication to work. Professor Igwe noted that Professor Omeje had stood firmly behind his administration physically and spiritually, stressing that the unprecedented crowd that the 203rd lecture witnessed was an eloquent testimony of Professor Omeje’s dedication and commitment to duty at UNN.