By Hassan Zaggi
President Muhammadu Buhari, has given approval to renew the appointment of the Director-General/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Peter Odigwe, for a second and final term of four years.
A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) disclosed that the reappointment is with effect from August 10, 2022.
While congratulating Dr. Odigwe on the re-appointment, President Buhari charged him to position the institute for effective service delivery to the nation.
It would be recalled that Dr. Adigwe was appointed to head NIPRD nearly four years ago.
Prior to his appointment as Director General of NIPRD, Dr. Adigwe was the Executive Secretary of the PMG-MAN.
Through intense advocacy, Dr. Adigwe was instrumental to the reversal of the insidious Common External Tariff (CET), which threatened the entire Pharma Industry. Findings further showed that alongside Dr S. Okey Akpa, the President of the West African Pharma Manufacturers Association, Dr. Adigwe conceptualised the Medicines Security Concept, which laid the foundation for drug and vaccines manufacturing initiatives that have now taken centre stage following the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Since he took over the leadership of the NIPRD, Adigwe introduced reforms that turned around the Institute giving it a global face.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adigwe’s maverick performance as Director General of the NIPRD led to Nigeria’s emergence as a leading scientific authority in evidence-based policymaking.
Notably, he led the team that provided the first international categorical analysis on the COVID organics preparation which then underpinned decision making that saved countless lives and conserved millions of dollars.
Dr. Adigwe also convened the first National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) for verification and validation of phyto claims.
The output from the team of close to two dozen erudite and eminent Professors is now open sourced and underpins international objective analysis in the sector.
