By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday officially declared open the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Awka.

Addressing delegates under the conference theme, "One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice And Policy For National Impact," Soludo welcomed attendees to Anambra—the "Light of the Nation" and Nigeria’s undisputed pharmaceutical headquarters.

He made a call for strategic partnership between the state government and the professional body to transform the nation’s health ecosystem.

The Governor who described the gathering, tagged Ijele 2026, as a truly historic and matchless event, emphasized that no productive health ecosystem can exist without the vital role of pharmacists.

Highlighting Anambra's prioritization of human capital, Soludo outlined major milestones in education and healthcare, saying: "The 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.

"We have 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, the Governor 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.

While urging the PSN leadership to partner closely with the state to enforce operational safety, Soludo enjoined the society to look within and eliminate counterfeit practices, including illicit shops masquerading as licensed pharmacies.

Earlier in the event, PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, expressed deep gratitude to Governor Soludo for his unwavering support of the profession, fulfilling a personal pledge to bring the flagship national conference to Anambra.

He also hailed the Governor’s vision and leadership, noting that his earlier prediction of Governor Soludo’s electoral victory had come to pass.