The Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Jos has successfully produced the Artemisia plant known for its potency as a cure for malaria and its parasites. The successful production of the plant is being viewed as a giant step towards the eradication of malaria. Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Sonni Tyoden made this public at a workshop on the ‘Role of Biotechnology in Resource Development in Rural Communities’ organized by the Centre in collaboration with Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Mabudi, Langtang South Local Government.
He stated that “Artemisia plant is a permanent cure for malaria” adding “the discovery has placed Nigeria, Plateau state, Langtang South and the University of Jos on the international map.”
He thanked all stakeholders, particularly the Local Government Chairman, Dr Hitler Dadi and Project Leader, Prof. C.I Ogbonna for their immense contribution to the development and realization of the project.
In a chat with newsmen, Prof. Tyoden said that “the planting commenced with a $198,000 World Bank Science and Technology Education for Post Basic Federal Institutions (STEP B) grant. According to him, “ours is to produce the plant, make people aware that we have the raw material, particularly the Pharmaceutical companies who will mass produce the anti-malaria drugs from the active ingredients of this Artemisia plant.”
“The availability of the plant will encourage mass production of anti-malaria drugs which in effect will crush down the price of Artesunat”, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor described the development as a giant step in increasing internally generated revenue as the plant would be sold to Pharmaceutical companies.
Project team leader, Prof. Ogbonna, described the project as “the miracle of the century”. According to him, “malaria is the biggest killer and it’s high time we paid more attention to how to manage it properly in the country. We wanted to tackle malaria by getting rid of the parasite and the mosquito of every malaria drug because malaria parasites have been able to evade the other malaria drugs but not the ones that contain the component of this plant called Artemisinin.
“The Chinese have used it effectively for more than 100 years and have stamped out malaria from their environment, we equally believe, from the pre-trial test result, that Artemisinin will go a long way toward eradicating malaria in the Nigerian society.”
By Samuel Olaniran
