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Pharmaceutical Society to partner NAFDAC, others to curb fake drugs in Kwara

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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.

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Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares

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President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”

Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.

Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”

According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.

While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.

“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”

Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”

He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.

Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”

“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.

The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”

He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.

Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.

During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.

“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.

In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”

The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”

He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.

“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”

Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.

“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.

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Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.

The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.

Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:

“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”

She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.

Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:

“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”

She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.

Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.

With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.

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Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra

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By Fabian Apechihin

A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.

However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”

He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.

“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.

Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”

He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.

“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.

Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.

“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.

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