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NAFDAC commends Tinubu for signing executive order On health sector
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for recently signing an Executive Order (EO) to transformed the country’s health sector.
The commendation is in a statement by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
Adeyeye stated that the reform and transformation agenda to make NAFDAC a well-functioning, strong and stable regulatory organisation started when she assumed office six years ago.
She added that the effort she put into transforming NAFDAC has started paying off, “part of which is what paved the way to signing of the Executive Order to make Nigeria to manufacture its own drugs.”
The Executive Order, she said, includes several measures such as Zero Tariff and Excise Duties which exempts specified pharmaceutical machinery, equipment, goods and accessories, as well as reduce production costs and make healthcare products affordable.
She noted that “the Executive Order also gives special waivers on pharmaceutical inputs like Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and other essential raw materials, including those for Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Rapid Diagnostic kits.”
She added that all these products would benefit from zero tariff, excise duties and Value Added Tax (VAT), as well as low prices of essential medicines and medical supplies.
Adeyeye explained that the Executive Order would also shape and establish framework contracts and volume to guarantee and stabilise local manufacturing of medical products.
According to her, it will also help in regulatory harmonisation, expedient approvals, develop harmonised implementation framework to guide regulatory agencies in streamlining approval processes.
She stated that the order would help in implementation and compliance, where agencies like Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) would ensure swift implementation.
Adeyeye said “the waivers and exemptions are valid for two years. The order is vital to the success of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and will encourage local manufacturing, create jobs, stimulate economic growth and reduce dependence on imports.
“It will ensure reliable supply of essential healthcare products, enhance quality and innovation, strengthen health aystems by address underinvestment and regulatory challenges.
“The Executive Order will improve service delivery and health outcomes, and enhance resilience to future health crises.”
The NAFDAC boss noted that the President’s Executive Order underscores the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s health sector.
According to her, the Executive Order aligns with the broader objectives of the NHSRII and the Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) approved in October 2023.
She emphasised that by addressing core challenges and providing clear path for improvement, the Executive Order would set the stage for sustainable and high-quality healthcare system for Nigerians.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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