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Nigeria Cannot Continue to be Dumping Ground, Says Anyakora As FG, World Bank Train Pharma Manufacturers

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Nigeria Cannot Continue to be Dumping Ground, Says Anyakora As FG, World Bank Train Pharma Manufacturers

Nigeria Cannot Continue to be Dumping Ground, Says Anyakora As FG, World Bank Train Pharma Manufacturers

By Johnson Fadipe

 

 

 

Nigeria will soon become the hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa and beyond, if the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the country lives up to its full potentials. CEO, Bloom Public Health, Professor Chimezie Anyakora, made this declaration on Tuesday in Lagos at the commencement of the second phase of the capacity-building workshop for local pharma manufacturers organized by the Federal Government and the World Bank.
Anyakora added that the reason for the program is to support drug manufacturers in Nigeria to produce quality medicines so that the nation’s pharmaceutical industry will stand strong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We can’t continue to be a dumping ground as a country and this is the reason this massive effort is being put together and I am happy that the federal government is supporting it. It is a journey to make Nigeria a big leader in drug manufacturing.
“The intention is to make Nigeria the India of Africa in drug manufacturing. This is why we are training the manufacturers so that they will be well-grounded to produce drugs that can compete globally”, he said.
Speaking further, Anyakora observed that that excellence in pharmaceutical manufacturing can be attained in Nigeria if the relevant industry players can scale up their games with passion and the right energy. He added that the Nigeria pharma industry is ‘falling our hands’ because all stakeholders have not done enough to compete at the global level, despite their capabilities.

 

 

Nigeria Cannot Continue to be Dumping Ground, Says Anyakora As FG, World Bank Train Pharma Manufacturers

 

 

 

 

On his part, the Honourbale Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi, stated that the essence of the event is to equip the pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria with what it takes not only to produce drugs that will meet local needs but also export and compete globally.

 

 

 

 

 

“The essence of this program is to see how we can increase the production of drugs that will meet local consumption and also produce drugs that meet the World Health Organisation’s GMP. It is also important for us to ensure that products that are produced in Nigeria have bioequivalence because it is not good to have a product that carries 500mg and what the patient gets after using the product is just 30%. We are ready to patronise local drug manufacturers as long as their products are standard”, he said.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Director, Chemical and Non-Petrochemical Industrial Development Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Onuorah Francis expressed its commitment towards working with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria to build a vibrant and formidable pharmaceutical industry that will not only meet local consumption but also play at the global level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onuorah further said that the Federal Government is ready to develop and make the industries in Nigeria work, adding that the ministry has met with stakeholders in the pharma industry and is ready to work with them to produce Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).
Also speaking at the event, the Director, Foods and Drug, Federal Ministry of Health, Pharm. (Mrs) Bunmi Aribeana stated that Nigeria has about 169 pharma manufacturers, producing different ranges of drugs in different areas, but bio equivalent remains a critical factor that needs to be addressed. She urged all stakeholders to join hands together to build a vibrant and strong pharmaceutical industry that will compete globally.
In his remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martins Emeje also charged stakeholders in Nigeria to work hard to build the pharmaceutical in Nigeria.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu

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April 17, 2025

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Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu After Rigorous Selection

 

In a significant leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s foremost military-civilian academic institutions, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB).

Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu

The appointment was announced following an intensive and merit-based selection process conducted by the Governing Council of NAUB at the Armed Forces Officers Mess and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja. The Council, under the chairmanship of Dr. Awwal Moriki, concluded its deliberations and formally presented the letter of appointment to Prof Buratai in a brief but momentous ceremony.

 

Dr. Moriki, while congratulating the new helmsman, described the selection as the culmination of a transparent and rigorous process aimed at identifying a visionary academic leader who embodies the university’s core values of excellence, discipline, and innovation.

With this appointment, Prof Buratai succeeds Professor Kyari Mohammed, whose single five-year tenure is widely credited with laying a strong foundation for the university’s academic and structural growth.

 

The Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was established in 2018 as a unique public institution owned by the Nigerian Army and designed to serve both military personnel and civilians. Located in Biu, Borno State, the university was conceived as a strategic response to the security and developmental challenges facing Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.

NAUB is focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, defense studies, and technology-driven research. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in diverse fields ranging from engineering and environmental sciences to social sciences, computing, and military history.

 

What sets NAUB apart is its civil-military partnership model, which aims to foster mutual understanding and collaboration between Nigeria’s armed forces and the general populace. The university plays a key role in developing indigenous solutions to security challenges while also contributing to national capacity building and economic resilience through education.

 

With increasing national and international recognition, NAUB continues to attract scholars and partnerships across Africa and beyond, committed to transforming it into a world-class institution in security and development research.

 

Professor Lawan Buratai, a respected scholar and administrator, is expected to lead the university into its next chapter—deepening academic standards, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening NAUB’s role in national transformation.

His appointment signals a continuity of vision with a renewed focus on excellence, innovation, and service to the nation.

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Dangote Supports FCT, Kogi In N16bn Food Programme

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11 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Dangote Supports FCT, Kogi In N16bn Food Programme

……FCT Minister, Kogi Gov applaud ADF

 
The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Abuja and the Kogi State Government have received food donation from the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), as part of the N16 billion Annual National Food Intervention programme launched last month.
Speaking at the flag off Tuesday in Abuja, Senior Special Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Hajiya Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, said 10,000 bags of 10kg rice were donated to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja for onward distribution to the poor and the vulnerable persons.
She said the intervention programme by the Aliko Dangote Foundation is aimed at supporting governments at all levels to cushion the effects of economic challenges in the country.
According to her, the intervention programme debut in 2024 when the company donated food worth N15billion to all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
She said Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is passionate about given back to the society, and the needy especially.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike, who was represented by Ango Abdullahi Suleiman, said the government appreciates Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s gesture.
The Minister said Mr. Dangote has contributed enormously to the economic development of Nigeria, while promising to ensure that the food items reach the poor.
Meanwhile, in Kogi State, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hajia Rabietu Okute, said 40,000 bags of 10kg rice have been received from the ADF.
She said the food items were distributed to the poor and vulnerable persons in the State.
On the distribution process, she explained that it followed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s directive, who tasked the committee with ensuring the food items reach vulnerable residents across the state.
Mrs. Okute stated that the distribution was flagged off in the state on March 26, 2025.
Speaking on how the food items were shared, the Commissioner said: “We shared the 40,000 bags of rice through the 21 Local Government Areas. The LGAs also shared the product to the 239 wards.”
She added: “Before this, a committee of 12 persons per Local Government was set up, and the State Government moblized the committees. The products were distributed to vulnerable  groups like the union of disabilities and the 23 orphanages in the State.”
The Commissioner applauded the Aliko Dangote Foundation, while describing the intervention as a genuine act compassion and philantrophy.
She added: “On behalf of the people and government of Kogi State, we want to thank the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and specifically Alhaji Aliko Dangote himself for this food support. We are grateful and happy, and it means a lot to us. May God continue to support him and his businesses.”
Responding, General Manager Community Affairs/Special Duties, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, who supervised the distribution on behalf of ADF, said the food donation to Kogi will further boost the relationship between the company and the state.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, had said that the Annual National Food Intervention programme is a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
She said Mr. Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is reduced to the minimum in Nigeria.

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NYCN Governor, Idahosa Urges Diaspora Youths to Seize Global Market Opportunities …Pledges to Collaborate with The Global Clusters

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2 days ago

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April 15, 2025

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NYCN Governor, Idahosa Urges Diaspora Youths to Seize Global Market Opportunities

…Pledges to Collaborate with The Global Clusters

Ambassador Collins Idahosa, Governor of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), European Chapter, has urged Nigerian youths in the diaspora to transcend limitations and seize the abundant opportunities available in global markets through innovation and entrepreneurship.

He highlighted that such initiatives would facilitate international networking, enabling young Nigerians to establish businesses, create jobs, and forge partnerships that stimulate economic growth and technological advancement in Nigeria.

In his address titled “Rise Up, Nigerian Youths,” Idahosa asserted that the future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its youth, both at home and abroad.

Speaking at a youth forum on Monday, themed “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Nigerian Youth in the Diaspora,” he urged Nigerian youths overseas to capitalise on global opportunities to reshape both their nation and the wider community.

“Innovation and entrepreneurship offer limitless prospects for Nigerian youths in the diaspora to contribute significantly to their home country and the global arena.

“With their exposure to diverse cultures, advanced technologies, and innovative business models, diasporan youths are uniquely positioned to drive innovation across various sectors,” he stated.

He emphasised the importance of the diaspora, describing it as an extraordinary asset. In 2023 alone, Nigerian remittances surpassed $20 billion.

“By harnessing their international networks, they can establish businesses, create jobs, and foster partnerships that promote economic growth and technological progress in Nigeria,” he added.

He further pointed out that the growing availability of digital platforms and the rise of global collaboration facilitate the ability of Nigerian youths abroad to provide innovative solutions to local challenges, particularly in technology, healthcare, agriculture, and education.

“By tapping into global markets and leveraging their acquired skills and knowledge, they can play a pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s economy. Additionally, by fostering innovation and creating sustainable business models, diaspora youths can actively contribute to their states’ development agendas.”

He reiterated his call for the establishment of State Diaspora Agencies to create formal frameworks for engagement between states and their citizens abroad.
He said states such as Edo and Kwara have already made progress with dedicated agencies, and he urged others to build upon these efforts for sustainable diaspora engagement that ensures continuity, maximises investments, and drives development.

Idahosa expressed his honour at being invited to the prestigious World Youth Summit 2025 in Thailand, scheduled for July 14–18, 2025, at the United Nations venue in Bangkok.

He pledged to continue advocating for Nigerian youth worldwide, with the support of Ambassador Dr. Adekunle Badmus, Global President of The Global Clusters.

He noted that The Global Clusters is a groundbreaking international network committed to youth development, innovation, and global impact, making it a strategic ally in shaping the future of African youths both at home and abroad.

Notably, Dr. Badmus also serves as Nigeria’s ambassador to the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Turkey. Idahosa aims to leverage this opportunity to further champion the values and goals of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.

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