A former Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) Director of Communications, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, has strongly condemned what he called th hi e ‘Illicit Gin’ mentality in Nigeria, by which he means the tendency by Nigerians to look down on indigenous products in preference for foreign alternatives.

The communications expert traced the mindset back to the colonial days, regretting that Nigerians have continued to hold on to it almost 60 years after independence from British rule.

Okoroafor, who was delivering the Keynote Speech at the 9th Induction/Oath Taking Ceremony of Graduating Students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) on February 28, 2020, told the graduands: “It is a historical fact that our medical practices in Africa were more advanced than those of the West, which we now seem to have now accepted as the standard. I weep when we simply jettison, without even making any effort to query, validate and accept or reject them. I call this the ‘Illicit Gin’ mentality. I am sorry if I ruffle conventional feathers but then, I have taken refuge in the fact that I am not a pharmacist and therefore cannot be punished for not keeping to the didactic dictates of your profession. Those familiar with history will recall handily that one way the colonialists protected their export market, like Nigeria, for their infamous ‘fire water’ – gins, whisky and schnapps, was to slam their local equivalent, with the demeaning name of ‘illicit gin’. For good measure, the subliminally powerful word, ‘Imported’ was put on such foreign tipple. Somehow, the sobriquet and the mentality of ‘illicit gin’, has remained with us long after colonisation. We have been made to perceive most of our indigenous practices and products as ‘illicit’. In your field, as in many others, the ‘illicit gin’ mentality’ is a problem that needs to be tackled and rooted out.”

Okoroafor, an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), advised the budding pharmacists to jettison the ‘Illicit Gin’ mentality and wholeheartedly embrace ‘Herb and Lab’ initiatives. Reason: “There are many more things out there to discover, not just new drugs, but new methods and processes.”

On some of the things still waiting to be discovered, Okoroafor said: “I cannot resist the urge to challenge you to look back at our traditional healing methods and practices in order to see what dying cultures the world can benefit from. I have a strong feeling that there are numerous local herbs, formulations and practices that can help solve some of the world’s health challenges. This feeling is reinforced by the fact that there is the resurgence of ‘natural’ medicines and remedies. You will agree with me that the numerous herbs and concoctions of the rainforest are yet to take their place on the table of global pharmaceutical practice. Our herbs have continued to beckon for further research and for the discovery and adoption of their therapeutic effects.”

In the lecture entitled “Facing The Brave New Future”, the former student union leader challenged Nigerian youths to rise up and frontally tackle the multifarious problems confronting them and the nation at large. He advised them to focus on the positive and seek to bring about the change they desire, pointing out that “the Nigeria of the 1960s many idolise was built and governed by people in their 20s and 30s.”

He reminded them that “there is nothing more indomitable than the human spirit, but this can only be realised when we place Hope above Fear. Using the street parlance, it is that spirit of ‘God Dey’, which must continue to guide and motivate us.”

Concluding, Okoroafor said: “Regardless of what challenges we may face, remember that world history is full of tales of catastrophe and near extinction. It has always been the case since recorded history. Somehow, the world and civilisation have continued to march on inexorably. The world always gets to a point of inflexion all the time and paradigms arise to redefine human existence . . . Hope is the last ammunition in our arsenal as human beings.”

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