Availability of medicine critical to security, survival, says minister
Kashamu’s loyalists reclaim Ogun PDP secretariat Ugwuanyi seeks credible national chair for party
MINISTER of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, yesterday said that availability of medicines was critical for the security and survival of the country.
He said the rational use of effective, affordable, safe and good quality drugs was, therefore, a task that must be addressed.
Adewole stated this yesterday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital at the opening ceremony of the 90th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
His words: “Medicines are pivotal to the delivery of an efficient healthcare as the resolution of most diseases and ailments after investigation and diagnosis is achieved by the use of medicines.”
In his address read by the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Dr. Chuku Abali, the Minster commended the PSN for demonstrating uniqueness in the nation’s healthcare delivery system through their activities and contributions.
He, therefore, described the theme of the conference: Medicinesavailabilityand Nationalsecurity, as a reflection of commitment of the society and its leadership to the nation’s aspirations and development.
Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari who was represented by the former deputy governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, urged the PSN to advise government on how to constructively deliver healthcare and address challenges in the sector, adding that the country’s unity could not be compromised.
Speaking, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who declared the conference
THE crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to abate.
This followed yesterday’s reclaiming of the party secretariat by the Dayo Bayo faction, which is loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu. The Bayo faction had occupied the secretariat complex, located along Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Abeokuta, since May 2015.
This development came barely 24 hours after the open at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, commended pharmacists for venturing into the manufacturing of drugs and medicines.
He expressed hopes that given all that is required, Nigerian pharmacists would be in a position to manufacture the country’s drugs needs locally.
His words: “I yearn for a time when 90 per cent of pharmacists in country will be engaged in the manufacturing and production of one drug or the other. When our tick forests and rich endowments in the forests Sikirulai Ogundele-led faction had dismissed the Bayo faction from the complex.
The leadership crisis is between Kashamu, representing Ogun East Senatorial District and the Ogundele faction, which is loyal to Oladipupo Adebutu, representing Remo Federal Constituency.
Meanwhile, 17 members of the Ogundele faction who participated in the eviction of the Bayo-led executive were arraigned at an Abeokuta Magistrate Court point to one form of medicine or the other, when some of folk medicines would be validated scientifically and endorsed by pharmacists for use in search of wholesome health for our people.
“That is the time I will know that Nigeria has begun to tap the full potentials of the scientists in our midst.”
National President of PSN, Ahmed Yakasai, said the society has been a strong advocate for local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and the need for government to create a friendly environment for the sector, yesterday for contempt of court and breach of peace.
The Magistrate, Olayinka Idowu, had restrained the group, backed by the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee from “holding any congress, gathering, public assembly or meeting likely to cause breach of peace in any part of Ogun State.”
Dayo, who said his executive would remain in office till 2020, accused Makarfi of pursuing personal agenda adding, “We believe in Nigerian made medicines.”
He added that the PSN has in the last one year worked round the clock to pursue its grand vision of strengthening self with collaborative, participatory and transparent leadership with national and international organisations in the interest of the profession and the country.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Lolu Ojo, said that this year’s conference was unique, when PSN was coming of age as a professional. in the state to the detriment of the party.
The Magistrate, however, granted the arraigned members bail in the sum of N150, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Governor, Ifenayi Ugwuanyi, said yesterday that the PDP could win the 2019 election, if it makes the right choice of a national chairman.
He spoke in Enugu when one of the aspirants, a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, visited him.