In a condolence message issued on behalf of the Ministry, Hon. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, CON, praised the late President’s lifelong service to Nigeria—first as a decorated military officer, later as a two-term democratic leader.
The Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Armed Forces to expresses our profound sorrow on the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who departed this world on Sunday in a clinic in London, United Kingdom-
Former President Buhari served with distinction in the Nigerian Military, ultimately rising to the esteemed rank of General and Military Head of State from 1983 to 1985. Following his military tenure, he was elected as Nigeria’s President, serving from 2015 to 2023. His contributions have made him a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s modern political landscape, and his legacy of honour, integrity, patriotism, and unwavering national service will forever be etched in the annals of our nation’s history.
In addition this our heartfelt tribute, is a reflection on the former President’s lifelong commitment to national development and service.
President Muhammadu Buhari embodied discipline and public service. His steadfast belief in a united and indivisible Nigeria inspired countless individuals, including many Nigerians who regarded him as a role model.”
The Ministry of Defence extends its deepest condolences to President Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Buhari family, the Government, and the people of Nigeria during this difficult time.
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a leader who served the country with unwavering commitment despite the challenges that marked his tenure.
In a condolence statement issued on Saturday, the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the late President’s family, friends, and associates, and urged Nigerians to remember Buhari’s legacy of public service.
“On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and associates of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on his passing,” Archbishop Okoh said.
While acknowledging that Buhari’s years in office were not without difficulties, the CAN leader praised the former President’s dedication and sense of duty to Nigeria’s unity and development.
“While his tenure as president was not without its challenges, former President Buhari served our nation with dedication and a deep sense of duty,” Okoh noted. “His contributions to Nigeria’s development and his commitment to public service form a significant part of our national history.”
He called on Nigerians to join in prayer for the family and loved ones left behind, asking God to grant them the strength to bear the loss.
“We join all Nigerians in mourning his loss, and we pray that the Almighty God grants his family and loved ones the strength to bear this sorrow. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Former President Buhari, who led Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, died on Friday in London after a prolonged illness.
He was 82. Tributes have continued to pour in from religious leaders, political figures, and citizens reflecting on his decades-long impact on Nigeria’s political landscape.
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The Honourable Minister of of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, extend his heartfelt condolences to the family of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London, and described his passing as a significant loss for the nation, particularly at a time when Nigeria could greatly benefit from his leadership style. He noted the important strides made in the defence sector under Buhari’s administration, particularly in empowering the Nigerian military to combat insecurity.
Minister Matawalle expressed that the loss is huge, not only for the Buhari family but for the entire nation that he served with unwavering dedication and commitment. He emphasized that during his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the development and progress of Nigeria.
He highlighted that President Buhari will be remembered for his resilience, focus on national integrity, and visionary leadership aimed at fostering a prosperous Nigeria.
“The legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire future generations as we navigate the challenges of nation-building,” he stated.
The Honourable Minister of Defence H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni, extends his deepest condolences to the family of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London.
This was contained in a release signed by Patience Ituke
Principal superintendent of press(PSP)
for: Director of Information and Public Relations
Minister Badaru expressed that this loss is profound, not only for the Buhari family but for the entire nation that he served with unwavering dedication and commitment. He emphasized that during his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the development and progress of Nigeria.
In his statement, Minister Badaru said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Armed Forces, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, government, and people of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the passing of Former President Muhammadu Buhari. We remember his dedication to democracy, stability, and the unity of our nation, as well as his unwavering commitment to the anti-corruption crusade, which endeared him to many Nigerians.
“May Allah grant him Aljana Firdausi and provide his family and all Nigerians with the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced, with deep sorrow, the passing of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Buhari passed away today in London at approximately 4:30 p.m., after a prolonged illness.
In a call to Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the late President’s widow, President Tinubu conveyed his heartfelt condolences and those of the nation.
As part of arrangements to honour the former leader, President Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany President Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari was first elected as Nigeria’s President in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. He previously served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985.
To honour his memory, President Tinubu has ordered that all national flags fly at half-mast across the country.
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is gearing up for a bold transformation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda gains momentum with key players vowing to break old habits and reposition mining as the bedrock of the country’s economic diversification.
At a high-level Ministerial Retreat themed “Enhancing Performance, Strengthening Accountability, and Fostering Innovation in the Solid Minerals Sector,” held Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, declared that the days of lip service are over.
“This retreat is taking place at an auspicious moment a moment of collective joy and renewed purpose,” Dr. Alake told participants at the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro. “Our Ministry was recently named Best Ministry in Service Excellence during Civil Service Week. But this is more than an award it is a challenge to do more. On excellence, we must neither fail nor falter.”
Dr. Alake listed sweeping reforms already underway to reposition the sector: the creation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Company a public-private investment vehicle to unlock billions in foreign capital; a historic ₦1 trillion exploration budget to bridge Nigeria’s mineral data gap; and the launch of the Mining Marshals, a dedicated 2,350-member task force cracking down on illegal mining.
“In 2023, we generated ₦6 billion from mining licences. By 2024, it rose to ₦12.58 billion. Royalties doubled to ₦36.8 billion. We have formalised over 300 artisanal cooperatives to drive legal mining. These figures prove that commitment delivers results,” Alake said.
He urged the Ministry’s senior officials to seize the moment: “The global energy transition is redrawing mining value chains. Nigeria must not be left behind. The era of business as usual is over our charge is clear: deliver results for the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
As Dr. Alake concluded, “We are building the future, not just managing the present. Our children and their children must see the results of our Renewed Hope.”
The sector’s push got firm legislative backing from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Ekong Sampson, who pledged to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry to unlock Nigeria’s underground wealth.
“I commend our Minister for convening this timely retreat,” Senator Sampson said. “It sets the tone for the next phase of collaboration. From gold to lithium, bitumen to coal our minerals hold the key to diversifying our economy, creating jobs, and earning the foreign exchange we need. We are ready to provide the legislative framework to make it happen.”
Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Honourable Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, underscored the game-changing potential of recent reforms.
“In less than two years, we moved from $6 billion to $38 billion in revenue, and attracted over $800 billion in foreign direct investment,” Gbefwi noted. “The Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Company is a masterstroke this is our chance to replicate Norway’s oil success story, but with minerals. We must build resilient institutions that serve our communities for generations.”
Permanent Secretary, Engr. Yabo Faruk Yusuf, credited teamwork and dedication for the Ministry’s Service Excellence award, calling the recognition a springboard for deeper reforms.
“This award shows what we can achieve when we put our shoulders to the wheel,” Engr. Yusuf said. “Our job now is to turn this momentum into measurable results for the Nigerian people.”
Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, described the retreat as a moment of rebirth for the entire sector.
“‘Retreat’ means we want to make things better,” Nkom said to resounding applause. “Apart from the wealth beneath our feet, we our capacity are the real wealth. By the time we leave here, we must be recharged and ready to deliver a sector that attracts investors and transforms communities.”
In a major step towards standardising Africa’s mineral resource management, ministers under the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) have unanimously adopted the new Pan-African Resources Reporting Code (PARC) a move championed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
Speaking at the sixth inter-ministerial meeting of the AMSG, Dr. Alake highlighted the need for a unified and transparent mineral reporting system to boost investor confidence and position Africa’s mining sector for sustainable global competitiveness.
“A critical challenge facing Africa’s mineral development is the absence of a harmonised and transparent mineral resource reporting framework across the continent,” Alake told delegates at the meeting. “This inconsistency undermines investor confidence, hinders proper valuation of assets, and limits access to development financing.”
The new code, developed through the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) in collaboration with PARC, is designed to align Africa’s resource reporting with international best practices. Alake urged member countries to adopt the framework for all government-funded and private-sector exploration projects, describing it as a foundation for credible, investor-grade project development.
The Minister’s leadership drew widespread praise from fellow African mining leaders. Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, and South Sudan’s representative, Eruaga Jackson, commended Alake’s drive and diplomatic skill in projecting AMSG’s mission at high-level global forums.
“Dr. Alake’s commitment has put the AMSG on the map, attracting global attention and vital partnerships for Africa’s value-addition agenda,” said Paye.
Welcoming participants to the meeting, Alake noted that the successes achieved so far are due to the collective dedication of all member countries. He revealed that Nigeria has completed all procedures for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally ratify the AMSG charter — and encouraged other African mining nations to accelerate their own ratification processes.
The Gambian Minister of Petroleum, Energy & Mines, Nani Juwara, and Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Abdiwahab Abdi Omar, also endorsed the new reporting code, describing it as a strategic boost to Africa’s mining industry and a testament to the African Union’s commitment to sector reforms.
The ministers agreed to roll out the reporting framework in their respective countries and collaborate closely to ensure smooth implementation.
Presenting the AMSG’s annual budget, General Secretary Moses Engadu announced that the group will host side events at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the upcoming African Minerals Summit in Kenya, and the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit to be held in Abuja.
With this adoption, Africa’s mining leaders say they are sending a clear message: the continent is ready to attract more investments, promote fair valuation of its resources, and take its rightful place in the global mining arena.
The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, has raised a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s deepening fake drug crisis, warning that counterfeit medicines now account for more than 50% of drugs in circulation levels last seen before the sweeping reforms of the early 2000s.
Speaking through an official press statement ahead of the Association’s 44th Annual International Conference, scheduled for July 22nd–27th, 2025 in Awka, Anambra State, Pharm. Igwekamma described the resurgence of fake and substandard medicines as “a major source of worry in contemporary times,” with new evidence pointing to a rapid return to the grim figures of the past.
“Our usually reliable and dependable research-based efforts indicate that we are back to the days of over 50% of drugs in circulation being fake and substandard, as against official figures hovering between 13% and 15%,” Igwekamma stated.
He noted that the influx of fake foods and drinks has also grown into a “tens-of-billion-naira business championed by modern-day merchants of death,” posing fresh dangers to public health and national security.
Recalling the milestones recorded under the late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s stewardship of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) between 2001 and 2009, Igwekamma lamented that recent years have seen regulatory lapses that emboldened illicit drug syndicates.
He cited historical studies by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) dating back to 1988, which exposed that 33% of drugs in Nigeria were fake then, with 7% causing fatalities. By 1998, new surveys indicated the fake drug incidence had worsened—almost 50% of counterfeit drugs were traced to open drug markets, while patent medicine vendors accounted for nearly 33%.
According to Igwekamma, despite the entrenchment of the Fake Drug Act during the 1999 transition period, its enforcement has weakened in recent times, allowing fake and unwholesome products to flourish unchecked.
“Despite some modest efforts by NAFDAC, the influx of fake drugs and unwholesome food and drinks has surged very significantly in the last five years when the Federal Task Force and equivalent State Task Forces have almost become moribund with negligible regulatory output,” he said.
However, Igwekamma applauded one bright spot in recent enforcement: the landmark collaboration between NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), which led to the closure of the notorious Sabon-Geri open drug market in Kano in January 2024. The Sabon-Geri action coincided with the launch of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), part of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines designed to phase out unregulated open drug markets.
“The CWC are well-regulated drug centres designed to replace the Open Drug Markets (ODMs). It is in the spirit of such collaborations we desire to save consumers from the almost five million unregistered drug-selling outfits dotting both rural and urban Nigeria,” he explained.
In a bold call to lawmakers, the ACPN Chairman urged the National Assembly to urgently amend the existing Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act to transform it into a more potent and enforceable legal tool.
“The NASS must, as a matter of urgency, amend the existing Act to become a much more potent Act of parliament,” Igwekamma said, adding that decisive reforms could help dismantle criminal networks behind the deadly trade.
While sounding the alarm, Igwekamma also used the press briefing to unveil the focus of this year’s conference themed “Technology Integration, Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice.”
According to him, the theme captures the ACPN’s resolve to reposition community pharmacists at the forefront of Nigeria’s evolving healthcare delivery system—by leveraging digital innovation, artificial intelligence, telepharmacy, electronic health records, point-of-care testing, and personalized pharmaceutical services.
“We are at a critical juncture where the traditional roles of community pharmacists must expand to meet the rising demands of a tech-savvy, wellness-conscious population,” he declared.
Set to convene in Awka, Anambra State’s bustling capital, from July 22nd to 27th, the conference will host over 3,000 delegates, including pharmacists, technologists, policymakers, academics, researchers, students, and industry stakeholders.
Highlights of the six-day gathering will include: A Walk Against Fake and Counterfeit Medicines a public demonstration to raise awareness about the deadly threat; Keynotes and Technical Sessions featuring global thought leaders in pharmacy and health technology; Workshops and Panels exploring emerging innovations, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical entrepreneurship; ACPN Exhibition Expo showcasing technology companies, digital health platforms, drug manufacturers, and healthcare startups; and Cultural Night and Gala Awards to celebrate industry achievements and foster professional bonding.
Igwekamma commended the Government and people of Anambra State for their overwhelming support in hosting the conference, describing Awka as an ideal setting for inspiration, networking, and forward-thinking solutions.
In closing, Igwekamma appealed to all community pharmacists, healthcare professionals, regulators, industry leaders, and development partners to join forces in building a more resilient and people-focused pharmacy practice for Nigeria’s future.
“Together, we shall build a community pharmacy model that delivers impact through innovation and compassion,” he said.
The 44th Annual International Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria promises to be a defining moment one that not only confronts Nigeria’s decades-old counterfeit drug scourge but also charts a bold course for a smarter, safer, and more personalized healthcare system for all Nigerians.
