Moringa: Professor Hagher Sees More Power in Plants Than Guns

Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Nigeria's former Minister of State for Health, recently delivered a compelling message in Abuja, urging all levels of government to invest in moringa farming. He sees this plant as a silver bullet for some of Nigeria’s most pressing issues. You might be thinking, what’s so special about moringa? Well, Hagher claims its benefits in nutrition and health could rival the power of firearms when implemented strategically across the nation.

In a bid to push this initiative forward, Hagher signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several influential organizations, including the Moringa Productions, Marketers, and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions, and the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation. This collaboration seeks to popularize moringa cultivation among the youth, enrich agricultural techniques, and meet international benchmarks for farming practices.

Moringa: Beyond Just Health Benefits

The MoU’s intentions are multiple. Dr. Ashimashiga Akoloaga, CEO of the Moringa Association, is a big voice in this. He believes in moringa-based organic fertilizers as a remedy for soil degradation linked to chemical usage. Why should this matter? Well, healthier soils mean better yields and less reliance on harmful chemicals.

To support these efforts, Akoloaga emphasizes that collaboration with farmer co-ops and agricultural groups is essential to spread the word—literally across the globe. The end goal? Make eco-friendly moringa-based products a staple in global markets.

Economic Stability and Youth Empowerment

Adding another dimension, Chris Aba, President of the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, throws light on the socio-economic potential of moringa. His aim? Turn Nigeria into an economic powerhouse by focusing on training farmers with sustainable methods to enhance the output of their crops. This, Aba suggests, could significantly cut down the nation’s dependency on costly, imported chemicals.

What does Hagher see as the next step? He’s convinced moringa has a lot more to offer than just health perks. He sees it as a crucial element in bolstering food security and ensuring economic stability across Nigeria.

The message is clear: if Nigeria plays its cards right with moringa, the potential benefits could surpass the traditional solutions, positioning this 'wonder plant' as not only a health marvel but a cornerstone of national development and export success.