Dear Dad,

You must recall all those days when we were sick and under the weather, how you'll gather herbs to treat us the "native way". I never doubted the efficacy and sustainable longevity our people derived from such therapies. How blessed.

As I matured and travelled, I found the Indians, Chinese and South Americans in the same boat. I have enjoyed reading the usual press reports on Queen Elizabeth's medicines chest, which boasts of some nature-care. Herbal and natural medicine holds the key to our collective healthy future, from this millennium. And the world is coming round to that reality - thanks to robust Chinese practices and documented successes. Science is now at the service of the hither-to- tagged "Alternative Medicine"!

These days, herbal stuff are spurning the old stereotypes, sprouting dream remedies, snapping up more followers, sedating orthodoxy, serenading the West and spinning Multibillion Dollar businesses around the globe. This is in tandem with the frenetic growth and embrace of organic foods, and eco-friendly consumer choices. It's a world your generation endlessly dreamt and so wished for, those days. Yes, dad, it is coming....

Here, in Nigeria, our people are ahead of the government (as when aren't they?) in this crusade. Many herbal medicare practitioners are smiling to the bank these days! I wish you and Papa Makun and Mama Ondo had bestowed all your endowments and dexterity in this area on ME! What a miss!!

Well, I'm a full convert. Always been.

Yours in AWE
Dayo