Sodipo clocks 90, warns Nigerians against herbal drinks

Prof. Joseph Sodipo, a renowned physician and doyen of acupuncture, has called on the Federal Government to train young people in Acupuncture, as a way of boosting the nation’s health sector. Sodipo made this call yesterday, at a Thanksgiving and Holy Communion Service organised to celebrate his 90th birthday at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Thanking God for living up to 90 years, the don said acupuncture is very effective in the treatment of ailments.

“When I was in the University, I set up a clinic where all manner of ailment were treated. Acupuncture has a fantastic health modality to do all sort of things. People came to me with ailments such as ulcer, back pains, sickle cell anemia and others, and I treated them,” he said.

The nonagenarian noted that the Chinese who accounted for one quarter of the world population, predominantly relied on the practice for their health benefits, adding that they do not spend their money on drugs because they are very expensive.

He also warned Nigerians to stop using herbal mixture, especially those sold on the streets in order to enjoy good health and steer clear of avoidable diseases.

Sodipo disclosed that these herbal mixtures are mostly full of bacteria that are harmful to the body and warned the people to desist from consuming them.

Earlier in his sermon, The Rt. Rev. George Bako lauded the celebrant for making a difference in alternative medicine, saying that at a time, Sodipo was referred to as ‘the medicine man.’

First called the father of Acupuncture in Nigeria by a Chinese journalist, Cai Guozhung in 1987, Sodipo was the pioneer Honorary Consultant Anesthesiologist and Director of Critical Care Medicine at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).