News
Pharmaceutical Society to partner NAFDAC, others to curb fake drugs in Kwara
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State chapter, has expressed its readiness to partner with the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) towards tackling the menace of fake and substandard drugs in the state.
The Society said though it is not within its jurisdiction to enforce relevant provisions of the law on counterfeit drugs production and impose sanctions on culprits, it would not rest on its oars until the state is rid of illicit drugs.
The newly elected state Chairman of PSN, Pharmacist Mohammed Baba Abdulmalik, disclosed this in an interview with Journalists on the sideline of his electoral victory in Ilorin, the state capital.
Abdulmalik was declared the new state Chairman of PSN after garnering 102 votes against his opponent, Pharmacist Joseph Oladele Ole, who polled 82 votes at the keenly contested election.
“We have a regulatory body, which is National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). It is working on that. It is within its jurisdiction to enforce law on fake drugs and not in our jurisdiction.
“But we have our members as staff of NAFDAC, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Federal Ministry of Health. So, routinely, they go out on enforcement and to check the premises of these industries for people that will want to sell fake drugs or unregistered products.
“Of course, there is a fine from NAFDAC if they find you with unregistered drugs or fake drugs. But at the level of our association, there is a jurisdiction on what we can do on that. We will support these agencies and every other body that will want to fight fake drugs”, Abdulmalik said.
Bemoaning the rate of drug abuse in the society, the PSN Chairman, who is the Head of Pharmacy Department in the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, absolved his members of involvement in unregistered drugs business.
Abdulmalik said: “There is no reasonable registered pharmacist that will sell illicit drug to anybody. They (abusers) might get these hard drugs from patent medicine, vendors or any of the quacks and those hawking on the streets.
“So, a registered pharmacist that knows the effect of drugs and poison will not sell illicit drugs to patient or potential user.”
The PSN Chairman said his administration would pursue revenue generation drive vigorously with establishment of bottled water firm, transport business and agriculture, adding that this would ensure that the society is self sustaining.
“Over the years, it has been very difficult for us raising revenue, because we always depend on donations from philanthropists, donors and well-wishers or people that just want to donate to the association. But on my own part, I have thought of it that what would I do to ensure that we are self-reliant and we can always generate funds for ourselves for any of the capital projects we might want to embark upon.
“If you get to our Secretariat, you will notice that we have a borehole, which is about 200 metres deep. We have a very big office space, which I have told my people that we are going to make a mini-bottled water factory there in the Secretariat. You know if you see the name of pharmacists on any bottled water, you will always feel like it could be trusted. You will know that such water is healthy for drinking. This is part of what we want to do.
“Part of generating revenue is that we are going to work with any of the transport companies in Ilorin here. We can buy a vehicle, give to them in good condition while you sign an agreement with them and they will definitely give us returns at the end of the month. This will be another source of income.
“We have some other projects that the past administration has been working on like a farmland. We have started planting on it. In my own little way, by the time we get to harvest time, because we have planted casava and grains like maize and some other cash crops. Definitely, by the time we start harvesting, of course, we will make more money from this and it would make the association bigger,” Abdulmalik said.
End
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader