News

2027: Ogun guber race must be about credibility not cash, popularity – PDP Assembly candidate

Published

2 months ago

July 27, 2026

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Abeokuta South State Constituency II, Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, has said the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State should not be decided by political popularity or financial influence, but by credibility, honesty, competence and commitment to public service.

Adeoye made the call at the weekend while addressing PDP members in Ward 14, Onikolobo, urging voters to look beyond billboards, rallies and vote-buying.

He asserted that Ogun residents must examine the character and track record of those seeking to lead the state, referencing recent concerns raised by the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo.

Recall that Obasanjo had questioned the integrity of APC governorship candidate, Solomon Adeola, aka Yayi.

Adeoye said the assertion that Adeola “lacks integrity” and “breaks trust” should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric but treated as a serious concern raised by someone who had first-hand political dealings with him.

He also argued that the allegations should be viewed alongside the controversies surrounding the 2026 Federal Budget, where several civil society organisations, policy analysts and opposition voices questioned alleged budget padding, off-mandate projects, duplication of allocations and constituency projects inserted into agencies outside their statutory responsibilities.

“The people of Ogun must pay close attention when an experienced public servant like Senator Iyabo Obasanjo raises concerns about character and integrity. These are not issues that should be dismissed with kid gloves or viewed as mere campaign exchanges.

” Leadership begins with character and integrity remains the foundation upon which public trust is built,” Adeoye stated.

The PDP candidate linked the debate to national governance, citing public concerns over the 2026 Federal Budget and the role of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“As chairman of that committee, Senator Adeola occupied a position that determines how Nigerians’ money is spent. Anytime questions are raised about transparency in budgeting, citizens deserve clear answers,” he stated.

Adeoye argued that elections determined by money and popularity have produced leaders who fail to deliver, saying “We cannot continue to recycle people who are causing our pains. Ogun people deserve leaders whose promises can be trusted and whose records show consistency.”

He argued that the party’s governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, is as an example of service-driven leadership, citing his humanitarian interventions and community development projects across Ogun as verifiable proof of commitment.

Adeoye however, pledged to champion legislation that prioritizes the people, urging voters across Abeokuta South and the entire state to resist vote-selling.

“Money given today will cost us dearly tomorrow. 2027 must be about competence, honesty and service. Character is not negotiable if we want a better Ogun,” he added.

Health

FG targets 70% local production of essential medicines by 2030

Published

3 hours ago

September 29, 2026

PlateauReports

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, and other stakeholders at the 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo, organised by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN).

Keywords: pharmaceutical manufacturing, Iziaq Salako, medicine security, local production, healthcare value chain, pharmaceuticals, PVAC

The federal government is targeting at least 70 per cent local production of essential healthcare products by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen medicine security and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos while declaring open the 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo, organised by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN).

The expo, themed “Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma and Life-Science Sovereignty through Localisation,” brought together stakeholders in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and life-sciences sector.

$2bn financing, tariff relief for drug makers

Mr Salako said the government’s Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) had secured about $2 billion in financing commitments at single-digit interest rates, with about 50 Nigerian health firms in advanced discussions for funding.

He said the government was also using fiscal measures to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, noting that 87 local manufacturers were benefiting from a presidential executive order granting zero tariffs on pharmaceutical machinery, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients across almost 1,000 Harmonised System codes.

According to him, the measures are intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing and build greater resilience into Nigeria’s healthcare supply chain.

From imports to domestic capacity

Speaking further, Mr Salako said disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the risks associated with dependence on global supply chains and underscored the need for Nigeria and other African countries to develop domestic capacity to produce medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health technologies.

“Our conversation can no longer be limited to whether we can access medicines when global supply chains are functioning,” he said.

Mr Salako described medicine security as an issue of national resilience and sovereignty, saying Nigeria needed to develop capacity across the pharmaceutical value chain rather than concentrate on final-product assembly.

He said ongoing government efforts include expanding local production of APIs, vaccines, biologics, diagnostics and other health commodities.

Mr Salako also cited the operationalisation of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) API Capacity Building and Concept Production Centre, development of commercial API manufacturing capacity and efforts to localise production of HIV, hepatitis and syphilis diagnostic products.

He said Nigeria must also increase investment in research and development and harness its phytomedicinal resources to deepen pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Predictable market for local manufacturers

Mr Salako said the establishment of Medipool, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation for essential medicines and medical commodities, would help create predictable demand for locally manufactured products.

He said the organisation would aggregate procurement, negotiate bulk purchases and improve supply-chain efficiency.

READ ALSO: FG seeks action on harmful gender norms to improve adolescent health

In addition, he also urged pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers, investors and development partners to explore regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing ambitions would depend on sustained investment, innovation, regulatory alignment and access to larger regional markets.

Mr Salako said stronger collaboration among government, manufacturers, researchers, investors and development partners would be necessary to build a more resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.

Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

News

U.S. vows to protect Christians in Nigeria against genocide

Published

5 hours ago

September 29, 2026

PlateauReports

Bureau of African Affairs [Credit: U.S. Department of State: Bureau of African Affairs Via Facebook]

The United States has commended Nigeria’s response to a series of attacks against Christians in the country, vowing to support efforts to protect them from genocide.

In a social media post on Monday, the Bureau of African Affairs said it would continue to work with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to protect Christians in the Middle Belt.

“The United States commends Nigeria’s strong response to the latest attacks from Fulani militant groups. We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to protect Christians in the Middle Belt,” it said.

It urged Nigeria to maintain the momentum and defend the Barkin Ladi communities in particular.

This came shortly after a series of terrorist attacks in Plateau and other North-Central states, which have suffered repeated attacks by jihadist groups.

Peoples Gazette had documented how gunmen killed residents and others in several communities across Plateau and neighbouring states in the Middle Belt.

We have recently deactivated our website’s comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.