Discussants on the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Ogun State, FUNAAB Radio 89.5FM live interactive programme, Boiling Point, have stressed that Indigenous Knowledge System is part of the culture of the people, saying each group has its own indigenous knowledge, which is peculiar to their culture.
They reiterated that the study of Indigenous Knowledge System is not herbalism, adding that “the people cannot develop without the knowledge of indigenous system”. According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) of FUNAAB, Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, Indigenous Knowledge System is native to any group of people, which started and evolved with them, and also encompassed their philosophy, thoughts, actions and everything that defines a people. He emphasised that the language, proverb and stories are all part of the system, saying unfortunately, many African nations have lost touch between the foundation of their knowledge system and their current system of operation by their contacts with the Europeans.
In the same vein, an expert in the study of indigenous knowledge and a renowned forest resources and medical plant expert, Prof. Samuel Oluwalana, said the study of indigenous knowledge system is target-oriented, and not just for everybody, saying “the western world is developing so fast in this area” with admonition that Nigeria should also dig deep before inculcating science into it. Meanwhile, the Director, Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) and organiser, Indigenous knowledge programme, FUNAAB, Prof. Alaba Jolaoso, revealed that there had been research going on underground, but the institute was planning to have a one-day programme, where they would invite people that had not standardised the use of indigenous knowledge and collaborate with them to find solutions to problem they have in the application of indigenous knowledge system in their diverse fields.