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NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu

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NAFDAC will soon commission it's ultra-modern structure in Damaturu

NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will soon commission it’s brand new ultra-modern edifice in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.

The building which has reached advanced stages of completion along Gujiba road axis of Damaturu would contain sophisticated laboratories for staff to work and several offices and stores.

The edifice is expected to be commissioned by the Director General of the agency Professor Mojisola Adeyeye before the end of the year.

Giving the hint while chatting with metrowatchonline in Damaturu, coordinator of the NAFDAC office in Yobe, Musa Lawan said that for the first time, the young state shall have a very conducive working atmosphere for all it’s scientists to be able to operate from by giving their best to the various demands of the job.

Reviewing activities of 2021, Lawan said that about N576.5 m worth of drugs were destroyed by the North East zone of NAFDAC of which Yobe state was a major contributor. 

Musa who chatted with metrowatch in his office in Damaturu revealed that a large chunk of the destroyed drugs from the north east zone were seized in Potiskum which has remained a major supplier of  fake drugs in the state.

He told metrowatch online that it was the duty of all residents to help in the exposure of drug cartels so that the prevalence of unwholesome drugs in the state will be reduced to the barest minimum.

The State coordinator stated that the most challenged areas of his agency in terms of operation is not the state capital but Potiskum because of its proximity to the metropolitan city of Kano where they get their supplies.

On fake and substandard drugs, the coordinator said that Yobe contributed a large chunk of the over N500m worth of drugs destroyed in the Gombe zone last year by NAFDAC operatives.

” I personally witnessed the destruction of the drugs which if consumed would have been harmful to our people. And most of our unwholesome drugs in Yobe sadly come from Potiskum.

” It has a high menace of sub-standard drugs. This is because 90 percent of unregistered chemist shops which sell such drugs are found in the town.”

To ameliorate this problem, NAFDAC Yobe office has two outposts apart from the head office in the Federal Secretariat and one of such posts has been perched in Potiskum.

“We were able to create 2 senatorial zones to cover the state effectively since I assumed duty. Gashua/Nguru and the Potiskum zone. That has enabled us to close down several unregistered outfits selling unwholesome drugs to the people.

Alhaji Musa said that for effective combat of the scourge, his agency had been working with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to create easy solutions to daring cases formed by cartels which needs to be nipped in the bud quickly.

Also Read: Nigerian Govt. begins implementation of fertiliser act

He commended the media equally which he said has been giving them serious support in their drive to take down drugs like tramadol and others which have been banned by the government.

Speaking on challenges, the coordinator said ” our major challenge is the lingering insurgency. To avoid being attacked, we have to disguise as much as possible when going out on field assignments.

“This is the only way we can avoid being attacked by them. We need more vehicles to enable us to navigate through dangerous terrains like Gulani and environs to do the job.

“Most of the areas we have insurgency problems are Gujiba and Gaidam. We do use escorts whenever we are going to such dangerous areas.

” All our personnel are alive and doing well as we did not lose any of our staff during the heat of the insurgency which affected the state last year.”

He commended the Director General of his agency Professor Adeyeye and the Yobe state government for supporting them in building their permanent site along Gujiba road near the central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

On food and non food items, the coordinator revealed that they have been on top of their challenges taking each day as it comes. 

NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu

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SPPG Calls on Technocrats, Others to Step into Political Arena to Drive Nigeria’s Governance Reform

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SPPG Calls on Technocrats, Others to Step into Political Arena to Drive Nigeria’s Governance Reform

By: Michael Mike

Technocrats, professionals, and values-driven leaders have been asked to step into the political arena and drive meaningful governance reform in Nigeria.

The call was made by the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) in a statement at the weekend.

The School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) is an unconventional school designed to attract, develop and produce a new generation of political leaders who will listen and serve the new class of citizens who know their rights.

The statement read that: “In line with this mission, the school has officially launched the #JoinPolitics campaign, a bold initiative urging technocrats, professionals, and values-driven leaders to step into the political arena and drive meaningful governance reform in Nigeria. With applications now open for the SPPG Class of 2026, this campaign calls on the nation’s best and brightest to replace the compromised ruling class and restore integrity to governance.”

According to the statement: “A world-class academic education initiative, the SPPG is designed as a 21st century Disruptive Thinking Leadership programme to train 10,000 new political leaders in five years who will run for elective offices at State and Federal levels in legislative and executive offices, thus presenting the electorate with top quality choices of candidates. These leaders will form the massive base and pipeline of a new and Disruptive thinking political class, known for their Values-Driven Character, Unquestionable Competence and Undeniable Capacity.”

Founder & Chair of SPPG Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili,, highlighted the root cause of Nigeria’s leadership failure and why professionals must step up to fix it, she said: “Poor governance is the direct outcome of a leadership pipeline that has prioritised personal ambition over public service. A nation cannot thrive when those in power lack the character to lead with integrity, the competence to make informed, evidence-based decisions, and the capacity to drive meaningful change. If we do not intentionally develop a new class of leaders anchored in these values, Nigeria will continue to suffer the consequences of poor governance.”

She noted that the SPPG is that pipeline equipping leaders with the right knowledge, network, and values. We are committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s governance system is led by competent, ethical, and accountable individuals.

Speaking on the campaign, CEO of SPPG,
Alero Ayida-Otobo, emphasised the critical role professionals and technocrats must play in fixing Nigeria’s leadership crisis.

She said: “For decades, Nigeria’s governance structures have been hijacked by individuals who lack the character, competence, and capacity to lead. Meanwhile, our country boasts some of the most brilliant professionals – doctors, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs – who have excelled globally but remain absent from politics.

“It is time for these technocrats to wake up, step forward, and lead. Your expertise is needed in governance, not just in boardrooms or the private sector. If the best of us refuse to engage, the worst of us will continue to rule. The time to act is now.”

She noted that at its core, SPPG exists to bridge Nigeria’s leadership gap by developing ethical, capable, and transformative leaders who will drive systemic change.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Dean of SPPG Nigeria, reinforced this mission, stating that: “Through our unconventional curriculum, we instill integrity, empathy, and accountability, ensuring that our graduates make ethical decisions in leadership. With intensive academic training and hands-on learning from our stellar faculty, we equip our students with the expertise and skills to navigate Nigeria’s complex political and governance landscape.”

According to the statement, the SPPG Class of 2026 offers a rigorous, unconventional 10-month curriculum designed to prepare professionals for leadership in governance. Taught by world-class faculty and enriched by a strong Network of SPPG Public Leaders, the programme provides practical skills, real-world political strategies, and access to a supportive ecosystem of like-minded changemakers.

SPPG invites visionary professionals who are ready to transition into political leadership, the statement said ideal candidates include technocrats and industry leaders like engineers, economists, lawyers, doctors, and business executives ready to apply their expertise to governance.

Also expected to apply are public service enthusiasts especially individuals eager to drive policy reforms, shape governance, and champion democratic accountability; and aspiring political leaders, among who are those interested in running for office or securing key positions in governance to restore national trust and effective leadership.

According to the statement, the deadline for application is August 31, 2025 with scholarships having 40 to 100 percent terms and conditions with interested candidates asked to visit https://nigeria.thesppg.org/apply.

SPPG Calls on Technocrats, Others to Step into Political Arena to Drive Nigeria’s Governance Reform

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National News

Seyi Tinubu storms Damaturu to consult with the youths

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Seyi Tinubu storms Damaturu to consult with the youths

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Following after his agenda of connecting with the young people in Nigeria, Sheyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, yesterday visited Damaturu, the Yobe State capital to engage with the young people of the state while breaking fast.

The “iftar” engagement was aimed at connecting with the young stakeholders in the polity in the state with a view to possibly watering the ground of any form of latent tension by rallying support for his father Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The visit, seen as a strategic move in the buildup to the pending political season, was heralded with a courtesy call on the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni before settling into the banquet hall of the government house for an interactive session with stakeholder from all over the state who gathered in the hall hours before his arrival.

Although he did not settle down to have the iftar with the mammoth crowd waiting for him in the hall, it turned out to be a bold reaffirmation of his father’s commitment to youth development and national progress as he went round the tables and acknowledged the guests waiting for him.

The iftar in the banquet hall though a bit rowdy in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, was the second half of the visit of the scion of the billionaire magnate and President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu was held amidst tight security as he was ushered into the hall for the business of the evening.

The visit actually marked a significant political outreach by the inner caucus of the presidency, with the son of Tinubu engaging mostly young people in what many observers described as a prelude to a broader political campaign lying ahead to usher in his father’s desired second term proposed for 2027 just two years from now.

Seyi accompanied by the Minister of youth development Olawande Emmanuel had earlier visited the Emir of Damaturu
Dr Shehu Hashimi El-Kanemi to receive royal blessings from the monarch before his private talks with Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Government house.

At the banquet hall in the government house Damaturu, the youth minister Emmanuel had addressed the crowd shortly after their arrival at Banquet Hall galvanizing support for his Principal President Bola Tinubu.

Some of the stakeholders who interacted with this reporter during the goodwill visit posited that the young Tinubu was indeed trying to learn the ropes politically creating friendship aimed at pacifying the north after the last altercation the region had with his father over sweeping proposals within the revenue sector of the country.

They however agreed that the visit was both symbolic and strategic, noting that it was beyond just politics, but a call for young people to participate in national development and assist in the stabilization of the polity.

Seyi Tinubu storms Damaturu to consult with the youths

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Health

We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of Nigeria – Prof. Tahir

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We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of NigeriaProf. Tahir

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Medical Director of the ultra modern Police Hospital Damaturu Prof Bashir Tahir has said that his facility has one of the best Ophthalmology departments in North East Nigeria.

He made this declaration while speaking with this reporter in Damaturu recently.

Professor Tahir stated that having met the facility in a near comatose state, he and his team have been able to create a department of Opthalmology plus six others and set it on a very high standard ready to serve the people in the catchment area.

Tahir who spoke through his Director of Administration Mallam Hamza Saleh stated that “Our Opthalmology dept is one of the best in the North East of Nigeria and you can get a recommended glasses within an hour because of the state of arts machines in that very department in the hospital.”

Speaking on the current expansion going on in the facility the MD stated that “We have ENT and consultants coming from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital UMTH alternatively during the week to do routine consultations, ward rounds and even operations in the theatre.

“We recently spent about N10m to buy equipments in the ENT and we do hope that all the equipments will be available before the end of the year.

On the revitalization of the facility, he went on: “We actually met the three theatres in bad shape but we have been able to put them into functional use by restructuring them accordingly. For now all three are functioning including the O and G theatre where routine operations have been conducted.

“When we came on board also the hospital was not departmentalized. So we did that and opened the way for more doctors to come by creating these seven departments for them to work in an organized way.

“All the departments are functional with seven consultants who man these departments to the satisfaction of all the patients who visit the facility.

This new facility can also boast of two Eye Nose and Throat surgeons and others as the support staff to support the facility.

“We have about 100 nurses with one that is a police officer. We also have some of them with specialized techniques and that has contributed to the progress of the place.

On medical lab scientists, the MD posited that they now have six lab scientists in different areas, two pharmacists and a couple of technicians that assist them on the ground on a daily basis.

They have a solid Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with a pharmacy company in the supply of drugs which is used to stabilize the availability of drugs in the hospital.

On supply of drugs, he noted that they make sure that people served well and patient are the priority of anything that happens in the facility adding that they now have satellite pharmacies in the facility to ensure quality time is not wasted.

The MD said that it was part of their plan to get most of the major equipments before any fresh employment of any professional commences so that all hands will be on deck to ensure the best.

We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of NigeriaProf. Tahir

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