₦airaland Forum

Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo has reiterated the Diocese preparedness in raising leaders in education, politics, entertainment, football and other spheres of human endeavors.

The Bishop gave the assurance at the first phase of the Bishop Owen Nwokolo Soccer Tournament, 2025 held on Saturday at the Cathedral Sports Complex, Onitsha, Anambra State.

He said training people, especially the youths in various areas of life has become necessary to ensure they dominated their environment for Christ.

Commending the boys for what he described as their "very wonderful and encouraging performance", the Prelate explained why he established the
Bishop Owen Nwokolo Football Academy (BONFA) and its accompanying tournaments.

"The Bishop Owen Nwokolo Football Academy (BONFA) was founded to help our youth to develop their skills, especially in the area of sports, football, in particular.

"You know that we train people in various areas of life because we have to dominate our environment for Christ.

"We’re raising leaders in all spheres: education, politics, entertainment, and yes, football. Clubs from Spain, England, and beyond are already eyeing our boys", he stated.

Sponsor of the tournament, Barr Rob Izuchukwu expressed joy over outstanding performances of the boys who displayed their soccer skills.

He pledged his resolve to train some of them overseas as well as find viable clubs for them there, just as he scouted about 8 players from the lot for immediate training abroad.

Izuchukwu encouraged the rest not to despair, promising that the selection would stretch till end of the year.

Earlier, BONFA’s Under-15 squad had defeated their U-13 counterparts 1-0 in a 40-minute match through a penalty shootout.

Also, the team labelled, “Selected 11” defeated the BONFA in a 1-0 battle through a lone strike from Emmanuel Junior just outside the 18-yard box in the first half.

Highpoints of the event were presentation of trophies and various cash prizes to champions among archdeaconries of the diocese which produced the "Selected Team".

The Cathedral, Omagba, and Nkpor Archdeaconries clinched first, second and third places, respectively for their efforts in training the boys.

The first batch of the 8 selected players by the scout were: Ikem Okiwe, Ifeanyi Igwe, and Prince Clement, while the second batch included; Junior Emmanuel, Akagha Okorie, Ùgwù Chinonso, Balogun Samson and Chibuzo Chukwu.

Seven of the players that received boots were: Okoro Ebube, Nweke Emeka, Eze Dịvine, Okonkwo Chiemelie, Chukwuemeka Chidubem, Uzowuru Chigamezu and Balogun Samson.

The three referees that officiated at the tournament: Augustine Ezebulie assisted by Ogboli Nnamdi and Asonta Ogonna were highly commended by the bishop and Barr Izuchukwu for performing what they termed "undisputed professional assignment".

Players, coaches, and dignitaries glamorously walked away with medals, trophies, cash prizes, and shiny new boots from the Bishop and sponsor of the tournament.

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Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has performed ground breaking ceremony of its Research Center at the Coordinated Wholesale Center, Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Speaking during the event, National Chairman, Pharm Bankole Ezebuilo said the state-of-the-art research centre would create central distribution hub for pharmaceutical products while significantly advancing pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria.

He noted that the center aligned with efforts to address drug insecurity and establish more organized pharmaceutical market, thereby enhancing the country’s reputation on the global stage.

Ezebuilo further disclosed that the facility would house analytical lab, warehouse, cold-chain, marketing research centre for data generation and conference centre for training of medical sales representatives.

He said: "NAIP is an association of Industrial Pharmacists that manufacture drugs locally, imports and also medical representatives of international drug companies which detail drug information to hospital or community pharmacies.

"We are building this center for obvious reasons which is to advocate for improved public health by authenticating drug products to be distributed by wholesalers by using the state- of -the art analytical lab to be built in the research center.

"The analytical lab in the center will ensure that every drug that comes in will be analysed so that when it gets out, we are sure that the final consumers get the authentic products.

"If we eradicate or minimize adulteration of drugs at the Center, then we can be rest assured that consumers get the real drugs."

Ezebuilo further disclosed signing of an agreement with Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) with pledge to provide necessary equipment for the analytical laboratory and training pharmacists on effective operation and management of the equipment.

Past PSN President, Pharm. UNO Uwaga, while executing the ground breaking symbolic activity with Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido noted that the project was being replicated in other parts of the country.

He appreciated God, Anambra State Government and others who worked towards ensuring the event was a reality, Uwaga prayed for health, strength, and resources to ensure realization of the project under the NAIP Present leadership,

Other Past PSN Presidents, namely Pharm Anthony Akhimme (FPSN),Pharm Azubuike Okwor (FPSN) ,Pharm Olumide Akintayo (FPSN) described the event as symbolic, pledging support to the project to ensure its speedy completion.

Special Adviser to Anambra Governor on Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Harrison Abone assured close monitoring of activities in the Center to ensure substandard products did not find their way into the region.

"As government and pharmacists, we appreciate the essence of having genuine drugs especially this side of the country.

"NAFDAC, PCN buildings are springing up here, all to ensure operations are well monitored with CCTV cameras," he said.

The event had in attendance Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and Pharm. Obiageli Uchebo.

Also in attendance were Anambra State NAIP Chairman, Pharm. Chinedu Obi, Delta State NAIP Chairperson who doubles as NAIP National Assistant Secretary, Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, State Executives and other Pharmacists from across the country.

The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has officially commissioned the construction of a Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Anambra State.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, was NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo.

Ezebuilo explained that NAIP represents local drug manufacturers, importers, and foreign pharmaceutical companies that supply medicines to hospitals and community pharmacies across Nigeria.

He noted that the new Research Centre is a critical step toward sanitizing the wholesale drug market in Anambra State.

“Drugs should enter and exit the market as authentic and effective products.

"Unfortunately, some individuals exploit the system by adulterating these medicines, resulting in a dangerous mix of genuine and fake drugs in circulation.

To combat this, Ezebuilo revealed that the new Centre would include an analytical laboratory dedicated to drug testing.

"This facility will help ensure that only safe and authentic medications reach consumers.

“We have signed a partnership with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA).

“They have pledged to supply the necessary lab equipment and provide training for pharmacists on its use.”

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Ezebuilo noted that roughly 70 percent of medicines distributed across Nigeria originate from wholesale drug markets.

“If we can curb drug adulteration at the wholesale level, we can significantly improve drug safety nationwide,” he said.

He said the Centre will also feature a cold chain storage system, a pharmaceutical marketing data hub, and conference and training facilities for medical sales representatives from the South-East and South-South regions.

Ezebuilo expressed appreciation to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for allocating land for the project and for his continued support of NAIP’s mission.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Harrison Abone, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, confirmed that the state government has directed the wholesale pharmaceutical market to begin full operations by November.

"As a government and as pharmacists, we recognise the critical need for access to genuine medications, especially in this region.

"With NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) also present within the market, all activities will be thoroughly regulated and monitored, " he said.

Among the dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony were Igwe Alexander Onyido of Ogidi Kingdom; Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, NAIP Chairman, Delta State, Pharm. Chinedu Obi, NAIP Chairman, Anambra State and Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra state Primary healthcare Development Agency.

Also in attendance were past NAIP Chairmen: Chief U.N.O Uwaga, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, and Pharm. Anthony Akhime.

NMA holds AGM, honours Mrs Soludo for championing healthy living, public health advocacy


The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) Scientific Conference, Award and Launch in Awka, the Anambra capital.

The theme of the AGM is “From Drain To Gain: Strategies For Building Nigerian Health Workforce Capacity”.


The NMA gave an award of recognition to Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the governor of Anambra.


Other awardees are Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health.


Mrs Soludo was recognised for her service to humanity through “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo” her project which promotes fitness and nutrition.

Ikechebelu, was honoured for his contributions to the field of medicine.

Dr Afam Obidike, was honoured for his performance as an administrator who helped to build a robust relationship between the government and health workers.


Prof. Walter Nwafia, an Environmentalist and Clinical Physiologist, delivered the lecture.



Nwafia said effective application of technology in medical practice could bridge the manpower gap in the health sector of Nigeria.



Nwafia who lectures in the Faculty of Medicine, Chukwuma Odumegwu Ojukwu University said Nigeria health sector was severely broken by brain drain.


According to him, the health sector needs serious and urgent redemption.


"The factors responsible for outward migration including remuneration and insecurity and they should be addressed.


"I also urge senior doctors to bond more with their mentees, build greater work ethics among them.


"And the NMA should use its power of collective bargaining to secure better deals for members in terms of remuneration and appointments," he said.



Also, Dr Olugbenga Ogunfowora said technology and Artificial Intelligence assisted devices could help deliver quality and timely healthcare services to a cross section of the society efficiently.


Ogunfowora said with an AI chatbox on a computer at a PHC, a doctor could examine a patient, administer treatment and monitor progress wherever he was.


He spoke on 'The Digital Doctor: Embracing Telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence and Other Digital Health Tools'.


“With this technology Nigerian doctors in foreign countries can treat patients in their villages.


"That is how brain drain can be converted to brain gain,” he said.



Dr Princeton Okam , the Chairman, NMA, Anambra said the event was an opportunity for relevant stakeholders and policy makers to interface on issues affecting doctors and the healthcare system.

Okam lauded Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for introducing Telemedicine innovation in Anambra.


He promised that doctors would continue to support the administration to achieve quality healthcare delivery system for Anambra.

He also congratulated the awardees


On his part, Soludo said the theme of the event was apt as brain drain had become a serious cause for concern for government.



Soludo, who was represented by Obidike, said the government was taking deliberate steps to bridge the gap through technology.

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