Education
NAFDAC Wants Tax Relief For Local Pharmaceutical Firms
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advocated for tax relief for local manufacturing pharmaceutical companies to guarantee quality and affordable drugs for Nigerians.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Moji Adeyeye, who made the call while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
She explained that such relief would attract more investors into the pharmaceutical companies in the country.
“NAFDAC is currently working with the Ministry of Trade and Industry on the issue of tax relief for locally manufacturing pharmaceutical companies and we are optimistic that they will oblige.
“About 80 per cent of materials currently used in the production of drugs are imported while only 20 per cent is sourced locally,” she said.
The Director-General said that the development was unacceptable and her agency would do everything possible to change the trend.
She pledged to reverse the situation whereby 80 per cent of what is needed for production of drugs is sourced within the country and only 20 per cent would be imported.
“In doing this, it will also help us in achieving ease of doing business, one of the policies of the present administration is to boost investment,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, Adeyeye has also announced plans to get enhanced salary structure for the staff of the agency to motivate them and boost the fight against illicit drugs.
She noted that NAFDAC members of staff are working hard to save the lives of Nigerians, but they are not well paid.
The NAFDAC boss decried the situation where workers of staff of the agency could not afford house rent in Abuja and Lagos, describing such as unacceptable to her and the agency.
“Though, the last strike by members of the agency was in solidarity with JOHESU and we use the opportunity to meet with the union to address the issues on welfare.
“And a lot has been achieved with the union, we have our plans,
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.