Niger Delta

Bayelsa Tasks Pharmacists On Local Production Of Medicine

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2021

The Bayelsa State Government has challenged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to embark on research for the production of quality medicines to meet the healthcare needs of the country.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the charge when the Bayelsa State branch of PSN paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor described the pharmaceutical industry as an essential sub-sector in the healthcare service delivery system of the country.
He, however, noted that the PSN had only been focusing on regulation of the pharmacy profession and welfare of its members at the expense of conducting research and the production of drugs.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed concern at the over-dependence on foreign drugs for healthcare services, observed that the organisation was dissipating too much energy on condemning alternative medicine practice in the country.
He pointed out that although alternative medicine practitioners had created some problems, it is also true that the efficacy of their medicines in curing some ailments had been established.
The Deputy Governor called for the immediate setting up of a pharmaceutical research unit in the state Ministry of Health and the Department of Pharmacy at the state-owned Niger Delta University to undertake clinical research.
Condemning quackery in the profession, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said many pharmacy outlets in Yenagoa and elsewhere in the state do not maintain the right and prescribed temperature to preserve their drugs, which affects their potency.
Consequently, he urged the health ministry to work closely with the PSN in the area of monitoring and supervision to check unwholesome pharmaceutical practices in the state.
”The role of pharmacy in medicine, no doubt, is key. But sometimes due to either self-interest or delusion, we leave this our status and begin to hover in areas that are not our traditional areas.
“Unfortunately, over the years the pharmaceutical society and the pharmacy profession seem to be focusing on one direction. I think you are not doing enough in terms of encouraging the manufacturing of Nigerian-made drugs.
“I mean a situation where all coagulants and other necessary components were strictly obtained as a result of research in Nigeria. That seems to be lacking.
“In addition to this, we still have this tendency of pulling down ourselves. And when you operate in that kind of environment, it is not possible for anybody to grow.
“Our reliance on foreign drugs is a major issue, which is the reason why we are not looking at local capacity. Our traditional medicine practitioners or alternative medicine practitioners may not be doing right thing.
“But I think we have used so much energy trying to condemn alternative medicine than trying to do anything from it. Instead of antagonising alternative medicine practitioners, let us see how we partner with them and see what we can pick out of what they are doing”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharmacist Ronari Charles, solicited the support and partnership of the state government in organising the 2021 World Pharmacists Day in the state billed for next month.
The PSN Chairman also requested the state government to provide logistical support for routine pharmaceutical inspections and the recruitment of more pharmacists at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.