THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS (NANTMP)

ARTICLE 1: PREAMBLE:
Conscious of the need to protect Traditional Medicine (TM) practice in Nigeria, acknowledging the widespread of use of Traditional medicine and the need to integrate it into the formal health care delivery system as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Aware of the need to regularly study and under research into the Traditional Medicine sources and to protect the intellectual property rights of Traditional Knowledge, (TK) and practice and in view of the vast endowment of natural resources and their economic potentials in the country.
Realizing the need to regulate and scrutinize Traditional Medicine for the benefit of both practitioners and consumers. We, the Traditional Medicine Practitioners in form and declare a  body corporate to be known and address as NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTIONERS (NANTMP) with the headquarter temporarily situated at the Federal Ministry of Health, Phase 3, 10th Floor, Room 1003; New Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

SECTION 1: NAME: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTIONERS. And we hereby jointly and severely bind ourselves to this constitution subject to the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the supreme instrument guiding and governing the affair of NANTMP with Aims and Objectives stated herein.

SECTION 2: MOTTO: “We Treat-God Cures”.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (MISSION)

1. To serve as the natural Home and forum practitioners of Traditional Medicine in Nigeria.
2. To represent the interest of the Traditional Medicine practitioners and facilitate the integration of Traditional Medicine practitioners into the Nigerian formal health care delivery system.
3. To act on behalf of, champion and defend the interest of the profession in Nigeria at all levels of government and public sectors.
4. To establish and enforce a code of conduct to regulate the practice.
5. To maintain and regularly update a register of all approved practitioners in good standing.
6. To harness the potential of Traditional Medicine (TM), and engage in activities for continuing education and conduct of research in all aspects of Traditional Medicine.
7. To promote the establishment of private and public medicinal plants cultivation.
8. To protect medicinal plants by active conservation activities.
9. To protect the intellectual property right of TK and practice.
10. To promote the welfare of Traditional Medicine Practitioners through participation in local and international activities.
11. To do everything that is necessary for the promotion and development of TM.

ARTICLE 3: BOARD OF TRUSTEES

1. The trustees of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTIONERS for the purpose of the companies and allied matters act No. 1 of 1990, Part C, shall be appointed at a meeting.

Quorum: It shall be a 2/3 majority of the members present at the General Meeting.

1. Such Trustees (hereafter referred) to as “THE TRUSTEES” shall not be less than Thirteen (13) in number and shall be known as the incorporated Trustees of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTIONERS. Note: in a situation where the CAC requirement is less than the total number of the Board members representing different Zones on ground the six geo-political zone of Board member have to reduce the numbers of signature of members from two each tone from each zone while the Chairman Board of Trustee will make up the required number of signature as demanded by the CAC requirement.
2. The Trustees shall hold office for five years (5) but a trustees cease to hold office if he/she:
3. Resigns from office.
4. Ceases to be a member of the Incorporated Trustees of the Association.
5. Becoming insane.
6. Is officially declare bankrupt.
7. Is convicted of a criminal offence involving dishonesty by the court of competent jurisdiction.
8. Is recommended for removal from office by a Board of Governors’ and ‘Trustee’ majority vote of members present at any General Meeting of the Association.
9. Ceases to reside in Nigeria.
10.  Upon a vacancy occurring in  the number of Trustees a General Meeting will be held to elect eligible member of the Association from that affected zone.

6. FUNCTION OF THE TRUSTEES
7. The Trustees shall apply to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission for a Certificate of Incorporation under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
8. If such certificate is granted, the Trustees shall have power to accept and hold in trust all land belonging to the Association. And to acquire land on behalf of the Association subject to such condition as the Corporate Affairs Commission may impose.
9. The Trustees shall serve in as the custodian of Traditional Medicine Practice in Nigeria.
10. The  Board of Trustees shall be the arbiter in any issue or dispute Arising in the Association and its decision shall be binding provided it does not infringe on the fundamental human right of the person or persons affected. 
11. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall summon a meeting with the Executive Committee of the Association at least twice a year to review the State of Affairs of the Association.

ARTICLE 4: BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MEETING:

1. The Association Trustees comprising 13 members shall be two from each six geo-political zone and one from F.C.T., with the President and Secretary of the Association in attendance at meeting of the Board of Trustees.
2. The Board of Trustees shall elect Chairman at its first meeting.
3. The appointment of the members of Trustees shall be by nomination and assent by the relevant geo-political zones.
4. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least quarterly.

THE COMMON SEAL

1. The Trustees shall have a common seal
2. Such common seal shall be kept in the custody of the SECRETARY-GENERAL, who shall produce it when required for use by the Trustees.
3. All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by the General Secretary and President and sealed with the common seal.

ARTICLE 5: MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION
Executive Committee shall meet at least six times a year, with one month’s notice before each meeting, except for Emergency meeting.
meeting except for Emergency meeting.
The General meeting shall be held not less than twice a year with a one-month notice before the meeting.

ARTICLE 6: THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The association shall have the following principal:

1. The President,
2. Deputy President,
3. Six Vice Presidents, one from each of the six Geo-Political Zones,
4. Secretary-General,
5. Assistant Secretary-General,
6. Treasurer,
7. Financial Secretary,
8. Publicity Secretary,
9. Internal Auditor,
10. Two Ex-officio Members who should be the immediate past President (IPP) and the Secretary-General.
11. Each zone will be empowered to elect its Zonal Executive or supporting staff.

ARTICLE 7: PROCEDURE FOR ELECTING OFFICERS
This shall be through election delegates of whom three shall come from each state and Abuja forming the Electoral College, the election shall be decided by simple majority.

ARTICLE 8: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
This shall be by vote of no confidence subscribed to, by at least 2/3rd of Electoral College arising from an act of misconduct.

ARTICLE 9: REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS
An officer who resigns or is removed from office shall be replace by the Electoral College.

ARTICLE 10: THE DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

1.  THE PRESIDENT: The President of the Association shall:
2. Preside over National Executive Meetings,
3. Shall do all things with his or her executive members to promote and defend the integrity, policies and programmes of the Association.
4. Shall administer the Geo-Political Zones through the respective Zonal Vice Presidents.

3. DEPUTY PRESIDENT
4. Shall deputized for the President and presides over National Executive and other meetings in the absence of the President.
5. Shall serve in any appropriate capacity as may be directed by the President but never be side lined.

1. THE VICE PRESIDENTS
2. In the absence of the President and Deputy President, one of the Vice Presidents shall be nominated, amongst themselves to President at the meeting.
3. Each Vice President shall be accountable to the President.
4. Each Vice President shall coordinate activities of the zone under him or her through the State Chairman.

     SECRETARY - GENERAL: The Secretary-General shall be the Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer of the Association and is vested with the following powers:
a.      Supervise the day-to-day activities of the Association as directed to it by the Executive.
b.      Shall see to the administrative and accounting duties of the Association, and cause to be issues, notice of meetings of the National Executive of the Association.
c.      Cause to be kept, all records ad minutes of the National Executive meeting.
d.      Render in written annual report of the Association, and serve to all the states through the zonal Vice President in the knowledge of the President and its deputy.
e.      Shall carry out any other duties assigned to him/her by either the National Executive President or the National Executive Committee from time to time.
f.       The seal shall be in the custody of the Secretary-General.

      THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL: The Assistant Secretary-General shall       assist the Secretary-General in the discharge if his/her function, and shall act in his/her absence.

      PUBLICITY SECRETARY
a.      Shall be the promoter and spokesperson for the Association
b.      Shall have duties that include propagation if the Aim and Objective of the Association to the General public.
c.      Shall act as principal image-maker of the Association
d.      Shall act to enlighten and sensitize the public on the activities of the Association.
e.      Shall send out notices for all meetings and communicate all necessary information for public consumption.

         THE TREASURER
a.      Shall receive all monies meant for the Association and promptly pay to the Association’s Bank Account within 48-Bank working hours of receipt.
b.      Shall keep all financial documents of the Association; cheque books and Bank Statement inclusive.
c.      Shall prepare and submit a yearly statement of Account and periodic report of all financial transactions as may be required.
d.      Shall ensure that the yearly Statement of Account gets to all state Chapters.

1. FINANCIAL SECRETARY
2. Shall keep records of all income and expenditures of the Association.
3. Shall prepare and submit proposal for raising funds for the Association.
4. Shall supervise budgetary control and financial report.
5. Shall protect the assets of the Association and institute operating procedures through internal control.
6. Shall establish and co-ordinate polices for the investment of funds to generate income for the Association.
7. Shall ensure that financial reports of the Association gets to the States and all members of the executive.

1. INTERNAL AUDITORS
2. Shall be appointed by the members at the General meeting, to Audit accounts of the Association at least once in a year.
3. The reports when due shall be submitted to the president who shall communicate same to the General meeting for approval. The shall not be prejudice to any external auditor appointed by the Board of Trustees, for the audit of the Association’s account.

ARTICLE 11: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS
There shall be established in each state and Local Government Area,  a chapter of the Association with elected officers comprising Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Assistance Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Internal Auditor as well as the immediate past Chairman and Secretary as Ex-officio members.

ARTICLE 12: ELECTION INTO THE EXECUTIVES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS               
Election of officers into state and Local Government Chapters shall be by a simple majority of the State and Local Government Electoral Colleges, respectively. Three delegates from each of the Local Government Areas shall constitute the State Electoral College quorum while three delegates from each Electoral ward shall constitute the Local Government Electoral College quorum.

ARTICLE 13: COUNCIL OF THE ASSOCIATION
There shall be Council of Association comprising the National Executive Officers and Chairman and Secretaries of the State Chapters.

ARTICLE 14: FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL
The council shall receive and review reports of activities of Traditional Medicine of State Chapters.

ARTICLE 15: MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
The council shall meet at twice at least in a year.

ARTICLE 16: ELIGIBILITY OF HOLDING OFFICE
All Officers to be elected into position at National, State and Local Government Level shall be registered in good standing, seen to be able and capable of performing the functions of their office. Without prejudice to other provisions of this Constitution, a member of Board of Trustees shall not be eligible to hold any elective office in the Association.

ARTICLE 17: TENURE OF OFFICE
The Tenure of the Executive Officers at the National, State and Local Government Chapters shall be for a single tenure of (4) four years only and not more.

ARTICLE 18: FINANCES OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association shall operate a Bank Account of which the following shall be signatories: President signatory A, and Secretary and the Treasurer Signatories B.

ARTICLE 19: LEGAL MATTERS
The Executive Committee shall appoint lawyers to handle Legal Matters of the Association, subject to the approval of Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE 20: FUNDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association shall generate funds from the following sources:

1. Membership subscription and registration fees, Note all members shall pay annual membership subscription to be determine and approve Council.
2. Levies from States and Zones.
3. Endowment, funds-raising and gifts.
4. Donations: the NANTMP may accepts donations and gifts from members, groups, corporate bodies and multinational donors provided the condition attach to such donation are not inconsistent with the Aims and Objectives of NANTMP and the transfer of funds complies with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
5. Proceeds from licensing and registration dues paid to National Traditional Medicine Council of which 70 percent shall be remitted to the Association provide by law.
6. Any other legal source of financial assistance.
7. The Association shall have the right to raise funds from Bank Loans, Bonds and any other legal financial instruments.

ARTICLE 21: STANDING COMMITTEES:
The Executive shall appoint Standing Committee to assist in achieving the Aims and Objectives of the Association:

1.  Accreditation and Membership Committee.
2. Financial and General Purpose Committee.
3. Disciplinary Committee.
4. Research and Documentation Committee.
5. Education and Training Committee.
6. Publicity Committee.
7. Electoral Committee.
8. Marketing and Commercialization Committee
9. The Standing Committee shall have tenure of two years Executive Committees, Provision for mid-term elections.

ARTICLE 22: PATRONS
The Association shall appoint patrons and patroness, who shall be outstanding members of the public with the interest in the development and progress of Traditional Medicine practice. The patrons and matrons shall be expected to serve as links between the Association and the general public and shall act in Area of Advising and helping to actualise the Aim and Objective of the Association from both governments and any other relevant organisation or body, national and international.

ARTICLE 23: QUORUM FOR THE MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND OTHER ORGAN
One third of the members of each of the bodies shall constitute a quorum for meetings.

ARTICLE 24: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution may be amended or altered or replaced in whole or part by any person (s) deciding to make such Amendment, which shall take place at the General Meeting called for that purpose an approval by the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja.

ARTICLE 26: INDEMNITY
The executive or its delegated officer shall not be liable otherwise than as members for loss suffered by the Association as a result of discharge of their duty on its behalf except such loss arose from their respective willful default and they shall be entitled to indemnity out of the asset of the Association for all expenses and liability incurred by them in discharge of their respective duties.

ARTICLE 27: SPECIAL CLAUSE

THE INCOME AND PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS

1. Whatsoever is Derived shall be applied solely toward the promotion of the Association as set forth in this Rules and Regulation/Constitution and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of divided, bonus, or otherwise however by way of profit, to the members of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS.
2. PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith or reasonable and proper remuneration to an officer or servant of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS in return for any services actually rendered to the Association so that no member of the council of management or Governing Body shall be appointed to any salaried office of the Association or any office of the ASSOCIATION paid for by fees, and that no remuneration or other benefit in money or monies shall be given by the Association to any member of such council or Governing Body  except repayment of out of pocket expenses or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let go NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS  Provided that the provision last a foresaid shall apply to any payment of any company to a member of the Association may be a company in which such members shall not hold more than one-hundredth part of the capital and such member shall not be bound to Account for any share of profit he may receive in respect of any such payment.
3. NO ADDITION, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in the RULES AND REGULATIONS/CONSTITUTION for the time being in force, unless the same have been previously submitted to and approved by the Registrar-General.
4. IN the event of winding up or Dissolution of the ASSOCIATION, there remains after the satisfaction of all the debts and liabilities, and property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to and distributed among the members of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS but shall be given or transferred to some other institutions having objects similar to that of the ASSOCIATION and the body or bodies are prohibited from distributing its or their income amongst its or their members to an extent at least as great as its imposed on NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS under or by virtue of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, such institutions to be determined by the members of the Association and  effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision, then to some charitable objects