WE WILL TRANSFORM JIPHARMA INTO A FULL-FLEDGED PHARMACEUTICAL FIRM — GOV. NAMADI
By Ali Baba-Inuwa
Governor Malam Umar Namadi has said that his administration has resolved to transform the Jigawa State Pharmaceutical Company (JIPHARMA) from a retail business enterprise into a full-fledged pharmaceutical production firm capable of contributing significantly to the State’s healthcare system and the wider pharmaceutical industry.
The Governor made this known on Monday while inaugurating the newly constituted Board of Directors of JIPHARMA, as charged the members to provide the leadership, expertise and strategic direction required to drive the company’s transformation.
Addressing the newly inaugurated board, the Governor said the administration’s objective was to fundamentally reposition the company and expand its role in pharmaceutical production.
“You are coming at a time when this company is going into transformation. Our objective is to transform. That is why we changed the name to Chivango. Our objective is to transform it from a retail company to a full-fledged production company. So, you have a very, very big challenge,” he said.
He emphasized that the proposed transformation was not merely a change in the company’s operations but a strategic effort to establish a sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise that would serve the people of Jigawa State and create wider economic opportunities.
“I need to tell you that, as of today, we have different proposals from investors who want to invest in this company under a PPP arrangement. And, we felt as a government, that we need to get experts on the board of this company who will discuss with these parties, who will give direction to the company, and who will ensure that the PPP that we are going to enter into is going to be beneficial to the people of Jigawa State.”
Governor Namadi said the process of constituting the board took considerable time because of the importance attached to selecting individuals capable of delivering the company’s new mandate.
He expressed confidence in the newly appointed directors, saying their experience, professional records and integrity gave the government confidence that they would successfully steer JIPHARMA through its transformation.
“So, the hope and the expectation for you is quite high. We have searched, and we have taken a long time to search for those who can deliver this mission. At the end of it, we have found you, and we are confident that we have made the right choice,” Governor Namadi said.
“All of you are people of experience. We all know your track records. We all know your integrity. And we felt we are at home entrusting this responsibility under your leadership.”
Responding, the Chairman of the JIPHARMA Board of Directors, Pharm. Hashim Ubale Yusufu, thanked Governor Namadi for the confidence reposed in the board and pledged the members’ commitment to delivering on the company’s new mandate.
He said the board was prepared to contribute its expertise towards moving JIPHARMA from its current retail operations into pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“It is a privilege to join such a dedicated team, and I am eager with the team to contribute to the chain from a retail outlet to a manufacturing,” Pharm. Yusufu said.
The board chairman said the proposed expansion into research and development was particularly encouraging, describing it as an important component of the company’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
He assured that the board would prioritise collaboration, strategic vision, sound corporate governance, ethical conduct and corporate responsibility as it works to establish JIPHARMA as a viable pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
“We will uphold the highest standard of ethical conduct and corporate responsibility in all our areas,” he pledged.
Pharm. Yusufu also highlighted the enormous potential of Africa’s pharmaceutical market, noting that local production currently meets only a small proportion of the continent’s pharmaceutical needs.
“Your Excellency, in Africa today, the whole local production only meets less than 20% of the need of the population. So, in the pharmaceutical sector, it’s a huge market,” he said.
