Alabukun - What you should know about the inventor of Nigeria's oldest drug

Alabukun, is the oldest drug in Nigeria and is still the most popular medication in the country.

This medicine can be found in Nigeria, Benin republic, Cameroon, Ghana and some parts of Europe where Nigerians are present.

According to reports, Alabukun was invented by Nigerian pharmacist, Jacob Odulate popularly known as Blessed Jacob. He began producing Alabukun powder from local materials and patent drugs which he imported from the United Kingdom through a British company, called Ayrton Saunders & Co. based in Liverpool.

Odulate was said to have established a retail chain called “Alabukun Patent Medicine Supply Stores” where he sold patent drugs and ran a clinic where he attended to minor injuries and wounds.

A publication by Oodua Voice reported that, Jacob Sogboyega Odulate was born into a polygamous family in1884. He was originally from Ikorodu in Lagos State but later moved to the neighbouring Ogun State.

At age 14, he trekked for three months from Ikorodu before reaching Abeokuta to establish himself. Blessed Jacob managed to create a brand from what served as his consulting room and workshop in Abeokuta. His modest headquarters was at the Sapon Area, not far from where he later built his famous three-storey building in ljemo Agbadu.

In 1918, he invented the legendary Alabukun powder which is now a hit in the world's most populous nation and in other West African nations.

He sent his children to study at some of the best universities in Durham, Newcastle, United States of America and London. e.g Mrs. Folake Odulate (later to become Chief. Mrs. Folake Solanke) who is the first female lawyer in Nigeria to wear the silk and she also became the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In 1966, she established the first law firm by a Nigerian female at Ibadan, Oyo State and named it Alabukun Chambers in honour of her great father.

Apart from making the drugs, the energetic Blessed Jacob also produced other brands like Alabukun mentholine, other preparations and an annual journal called Alabukun Almanac which was widely distributed in Abeokuta and eventually all over Nigeria between the 1920s and 1950s.

Jacon Odulate died in 1962 at age 78.

What is Alabukun made of

A sachet of Alabukun powder contains 760 mg of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) and 60 mg of caffeine. Its powder form as compared to tablets, dissolves faster and therefore works faster.

Most people mix it with water but it’s also mixed with everything from soda drinks to gin.

Since Aspirin is an analgesic used for deep pains, fever, inflammation and blood clotting when combined with caffeine its potency is increased and it can be used for treating migraines.

Alabukun powder works by inhibiting the production of the body chemicals, prostaglandins which is responsible for inducing pain, fever and inflammation, and thromboxane which is responsible for blood clotting in the body.

BS