… Decry marginalization, career stagnation/educational regulatory framework

By Uzo Ugwunze

Pharmacy Technicians in Nigeria have called for stronger collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to close professional borders, combat quackery and eliminate fake drugs across the country.

The National President of the Reformed Forum of Pharmacy Technicians in Nigeria (RFPTN), Pharm. Tech. Shagba Humphrey T., made the call while delivering an address at the ongoing 99th PSN Annual National Conference, IJELÉ ’26, in Awka, Anambra State, describing it as the first-ever official appearance and address of Pharmacy Technicians at the PSN conference.

Shagba commended the PSN President, Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba, for his visionary and inclusive leadership, noting that the partnership between both bodies has grown through sustained engagement, from the hosting of former PSN President, Pharm. Cyril Usifoh, at RFPTN’s first national conference to the invitation of the RFPTN leadership to PSN events in Abuja and Lagos.

However, he decried the decades-long career stagnation facing Pharmacy Technicians, who he said spend 30 to 35 years in service and retire with the same National Diploma they started with, unlike other health cadres who enjoy progression from ND to HND, PGD and Masters, and called for clear academic pathways under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to restore dignity and productivity.

Shagba lamented that pharmacy practice in Nigeria has become dangerously porous, with doctors, lawyers, bankers, nurses and even SSCE holders operating Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and community outlets, while trained and PCN-certified Pharmacy Technicians are restricted, stressing that all pharmaceutical service points should be manned exclusively by pharmacists and certified technicians.

He said Pharmacy Technicians are ready to serve as the primary operational link in digital supply chain integrity, cold chain management and anti-counterfeiting, as well as frontline providers in hundreds of rural communities where they already deliver pharmaceutical care.

The RFPTN president listed the forum’s demands to include setting Pharmacy Technician qualification as the minimum legal baseline for dispensing medicines, integration of certified technicians into PCN inspection and enforcement teams for grassroots anti-quackery, deployment in Primary Health Care centres under task-shifting policies, and institutional synergy under the conference theme “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact.”

He concluded that Nigeria cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage, eliminate drug quackery or secure its pharmaceutical supply chain while leaving its primary mid-level technical workforce marginalized, pledging the commitment of Pharmacy Technicians to remain competent, ethical and disciplined pillars of pharmaceutical care.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba,
speaking under the theme, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact,” said the conference reaffirms the profession’s commitment to responsive, evidence-based healthcare, noting that human, animal and environmental health are interconnected and require coordinated action across professions and sectors.

He emphasized the need to advance pharmacy practice through structured postgraduate training, clinical collaboration and recognition of the Consultant Pharmacist cadre, citing partnerships with WASPEN and the International Pharmacy Practice Residency Programme as vital steps to improving patient care and health system performance.

Ayuba also called for full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines and completion of Coordinated Wholesale Centres to fight counterfeit and substandard medicines, while urging stronger partnership with government, academia and industry ahead of the Society’s centenary in 2027 to build a more resilient, equitable and responsive health system.

..as Church of God Ministries marks 50th anniversary

By Uzo Ugwunze

The National Leader of The Church of God Ministry Incorporated CGM and Chairman National Church Council, Evangelist Prof Uzochukwu Solomon Nwanonyuo, has urged Christian leaders and believers across Nigeria to remain steadfast in their faith and uphold the teachings and doctrines of the Holy Scriptures.

Prof. Nwanonyuo expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of unbiblical practices in some churches, warning that certain activities had deviated from the fundamental principles of Christianity.

The prelate gave the advice while addressing newsmen shortly after The Church of God Ministry Inc. marked its Golden Jubilee anniversary with a grand celebration held from Friday, October 23 to Sunday October 25, 2026, at its National Headquarters, 7A New Cemetery Road, Onitsha, Anambra State, under the theme “A Legacy of Faith, A Future of Hope.”

Nwanonyuo lamented that some religious institutions were increasingly accommodating practices he characterised as occultic and satanic, thereby undermining the spiritual integrity of the Church and exposing worshippers to influences contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The cleric called on church leaders to protect the Christian faith from practices that compromise biblical truth, as well as undue interference from political interests, social pressures and other external influences. He maintained that the Church must remain committed to its spiritual responsibilities and the teachings of Christ.

Addressing the role of ministers, bishops and other Christian leaders in politics, Prof Nwanonyuo cautioned against turning religious leaders into instruments for advancing partisan interests. He urged the clergy to maintain political neutrality and avoid using their positions to influence members’ voting decisions.

According to him, church leaders are representatives of Christ and must demonstrate holiness, righteousness and integrity in their conduct. He stressed that religious leaders should not publicly dictate political choices to their congregations or compromise their spiritual responsibilities for political favour.

He further maintained that voting should remain a matter of individual conscience, explaining that citizens should assess the performance of political officeholders and decide whether to retain or replace them through the ballot box.

The cleric also called for a clear distinction between the Church and partisan politics, citing the biblical teaching of Jesus Christ: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

He explained that those who choose to participate actively in politics should do so in that capacity, while those entrusted with the leadership of the Church must discharge their responsibilities with the decorum and integrity expected of Christian ministers.

Prof Nwanonyuo reaffirmed the need for the Church to preserve its independence, uphold the truth of the Christian faith and remain faithful to the teachings of Scripture. He said such commitment was essential to fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ and preparing humanity for His second coming.

Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Prof. Uzochukwu Nwanonyuo, National Leader of The Church of God Ministry urged politicians and citizens to embrace peace and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He called on INEC to ensure free, fair and credible polls, and warned politicians and voters against do-or-die politics, violence and intimidation during the electoral process.

Nwanonyuo advised winners to be magnanimous, voters to follow their conscience, and all stakeholders to prioritize national peace and democratic stability.

Earlier in his welcome address, the National Leader and Chairman of the National Church Council (NCC), Evangelist Prof. Uzochukwu Solomon Nwanonyuo, said the 50-year journey is a testimony of God’s faithfulness, preservation and grace. He welcomed the Board of Trustees, founding fathers, ministers, elders, guests and members, noting that the church’s existence is sustained by God as the Author and Finisher of its faith.

Prof. Nwanonyuo traced the church’s history to 1976 when early believers, led by Pastor Fabian Dozie Obiadi and others, broke away from Sabbath white-garment churches over practices they described as occultic and ungodly. The movement, initially called Evangelical Church of God and later registered as The Church of God Ministry Incorporated, started in Onitsha and spread across Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Niger, FCT Abuja and other states.

He recalled the church’s trying period in 2002 when schism led to the exit of some members to form another church, but said the church survived the loss of members and properties and continued to grow.

On achievements, the NCC Chairman said his administration, which came on board in 2020 and was re-elected for a second term, has implemented major reforms including modernisation of the headquarters into a two-storey edifice, commencement of the campground project and expansion of evangelism and church planting.

He paid tribute to departed pioneers and financial contributors including families of Late Elder Louis Okoye, Elder Christopher Chukwudum, and ministers who died in active service, stressing that their sacrifices laid the foundation for the ministry.

Looking to the future, Prof. Nwanonyuo said the church’s priorities for the next 50 years include spiritual vitality, doctrinal integrity, Sabbath observance, youth mentorship, evangelism, accountable leadership and humanitarian service, urging all members to preserve the legacy of faith for future generations.

Speaking on advice for young ministers, the Senior Pastor and BOT Chairman of The Church of God Ministry, Pastor Fabian Dozie Obiadi, urged young ministers to remain prayerful, committed and disciplined in their calling, noting that God will help them succeed if they stay faithful.

On the role of the church in national transformation, Pastor Obiadi said despite the numerous challenges facing Nigeria, the church can still transform the nation through prayers, stressing that committed intercession can bring positive change.

The founding father emphasized that prayer remains the church’s greatest tool for national rebirth, expressing confidence that God can turn around the country’s fortunes if the church remains steadfast in its spiritual responsibility.

Contributing, another founding father, Elder Barr. Anthony Anonyuo thanked the almighty God for the expansion, success and sustainance of The Church of God Ministry Inc. despite challenges in a changing world.

Elder Barr Anonyuo who was part of the numerous awardees also thanked God for keeping him alive to witness the golden age of the ministry after 50 years of labor in God’s vineyard praying God to continue to bless the church and more especially the present Leadership which God has raised to bring about revival in the endtime church.

By Mohammed Sanusi

Thousands of African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporters on Tuesday stormed the party’s campaign office in Sokoto State, which had been sealed by the state government, and forcefully reopened it.

The government had sealed the office on Monday, ahead of the party’s presidential campaign rally flag-off in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4. It said the action was taken to protect lives and property following a recent disturbance involving party supporters and some miscreants.

The government also raised concerns over the ownership documents of the property, claiming that they were irregular and that official records showed it belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank.

The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho, who announced the sealing of the building on Monday, said the government had reviewed the available documents relating to the property and discovered that it was originally owned by the defunct Savannah Bank, with no official change of ownership reflected in government records.