From Emma Elekwa, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has called for strategic partnership between the state government and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to transform the nation’s health ecosystem.
Soludo made the call while declaring open the 99th Annual National Conference of the professional body in Awka themed, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice And Policy For National Impact.”
He described the gathering, tagged Ijele 2026, as a truly historic and matchless event, emphasising that no productive health ecosystem can exist without the vital role of pharmacists.
The governor highlighted the state’s prioritization of human capital, as well as a major milestones in education and healthcare.
He revealed that state education reforms—including free education from kindergarten through secondary levels—have driven the out-of-school child rate down to 0.25 percent, the lowest in Nigeria.
In healthcare, Soludo pointed to a revamped primary healthcare system, over 250,000 beneficiaries of zero-cost antenatal care, and more than 950 free cesarean operations provided to expectant mothers.
To further solidify Anambra’s position as the nation’s premier pharma hub, Soludo highlighted the ongoing development of the state-of-the-art Pharmaceutical Hub in Oba, alongside the upcoming Coordinated Wholesale Centre slated for delivery early next year.
He challenged the PSN leadership to partner closely with the state to enforce operational safety, urging the society to look within and eliminate counterfeit practices, including illicit shops masquerading as licensed pharmacies.
Earlier, PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, thanked the Governor Solum for his unwavering support of the profession.
Fulfilling a personal pledge to bring the flagship national conference to Anambra, he commended the governor’s vision and leadership, noting that his earlier prediction of Governor Soludo’s electoral victory had come to pass.