Business
Remain Focused, Adeyeye Urges Pharmacists, as NAFTraPh Begins 3rdAnnu
Remain Focused, Adeyeye Urges Pharmacists, as NAFTraPh Begins 3rdAnnual Conference
By Patrick Iwelunmor
To win the war against communicable diseases and entrench a culture of innovation in pharmaceutical care, pharmacists must adjust their expectations and remain focused, as they proffer solutions to the healthcare challenges of the society. This was the submission of the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye who was special guest at the commencement of the 3rd Annual International Conference of the National Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraph), with the theme “The Burdens of Communicable Diseases in Africa-Nigeria’s Perspective and the Need for Robust Healthcare Professionals Interventions”, on Thursday, October, 2021, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.
Picture Caption Left to Right: President, National Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraPh), Dr John C. Ejezie, D-G, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola C. Adeyeye and Medical Director, Hendricks Family Heart Hospital, USA, Dr Leo Egbujiobi, at the commencement of the 3rd Annual Conference of NAFTraPh, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.
Calling on NAFTraph to fix its eyes on the goal, Adeyeye went biblical with the story of Nehemiah who, in spite of all the opposition and resistance that he faced, successfully rebuilt the fallen walls of Jerusalem. Likening the myriad of healthcare challenges in Nigeria and around the world to the fallen walls of Jerusalem, she urged pharmacists to take up the challenge of fixing things in the healthcare sector just like she did when she assumed office at NAFDAC.
According to her, she had met NAFDAC in a state of coma, crippled by debt and lacking operational vehicles. Against all the odds, she surmounted the challenges with the cooperation of her directors who bought into and shared her vision. “As pharmacists, there is a lot of building we have to do because in the midst of all these challenge, there are also opportunities. Look for a niche and carve it out and make it your own. Be a star in terms of vigilance”, she said.
While welcoming guests to the conference, NAFTraPh President, Dr John C. Ejezie, explained that his association was in the forefront of enhancing the general health outcomes of the society. “NAFTraPh is a professional organization that educates, sensitises, trains members and others, and creates health awareness, promotes community capacity building and effective utilization of pharmaceutical products in collaboration with other stakeholders in providing safe, efficacious and cost-effective drug therapy to the larger society to enhance general health outcomes”, he said.
In his address titled “Pharmacy Practices Available to You”, Chairman, Governing Council of the PCN, Professor Ahmed Tijani Mora, represented by Dr Amaka Okafor, urged pharmacists to be actively involved in the eradication of communicable diseases, share their knowledge and skills while bringing innovation to the table, bearing in mind the fact that the pharmaceutical sector ranks high in Africa and requires improvement in innovation. According to him, PCN has put in place measures to improve regulatory activities which will in turn strengthen the quality of pharmaceutical practice in the country and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Leo Egbujiobi, Medical Director and Chief of Service, Hendricks Family Heart Hospital, Beloit Health System, Beloit Wisconsin, USA, called on Nigerians, including pharmacists, to have the mindset of productivity. According to him, the productivity-oriented mindset is the gateway to innovation and problem-solving and it is one of the things needed to curb the spread of communicable diseases. “It is the productivity of two or more pharmacists, coming together to build pharmacies in each state that will make it possible for us to have chains of pharmacies in the foreseeable future”, he said.
Day One of the conference which ends on Saturday, October 16, 2021 also witnessed a presentation titled “The Path Forward in Opening a Nation in a Pandemic” by DrTerrance L. Baker, MD, MS, PhD(H), John Hopkins Community Physician, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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