ADC Clarifies Transition Timelines; Sets 12th May As Date For Assumption Of Office By Its New Executives

The African Democratic Congress ADC says newly elected state executives and party officers will only assume office after their formal inauguration on May 12, 2026, or any later date announced by the party.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, current executives remain the recognized office holders until the transition process is completed.

ADC

He urges newly elected officials to avoid any actions that may create confusion within the party.

The statement further adds that ADC remains committed to discipline and strict adherence to its constitution.

PCN Seals 600 Medicine Stores, Arrests Two For Violations: Kaduna

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria sealed 598 premises and arrested two vendors in Kaduna during a major enforcement drive targeting widespread violations of drug regulations and unsafe pharmaceutical practices.

Suleiman Chiroma, the PCN national head of enforcement, disclosed this on Friday in Kaduna.

Mr Chiroma said the operation, which began on Monday, covered Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Zaria, Makarfi, Kudan, Igabi, Chikun, Sabon Gari, Giwa, and Ikara council areas.

He said 828 premises were visited during the four-day exercise, including pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and unlicensed outlets.

Mr Chiroma explained that the 598 premises, which were sealed, comprised pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and all unlicensed premises identified. He said two vendors were arrested for gross violations of the PCN Act.

Mr Chiroma, however, said that only nine per cent of inspected premises were operating unlawfully, indicating improved regulatory compliance. He added that 28 per cent of the premises were fully compliant, while 45 per cent of pharmacies and 28 per cent of patent medicine shops met the required standards.

PCN

“The premises sealed were for offences including lack of valid licences, unauthorised clinical practices, improper stocking of medicines, illegal operations, restricted drug access breaches, and obstruction of inspectors,” Mr Chiroma said.

Speaking further, he explained that the operation targeted unsafe medicine handling and illegal practices threatening drug quality, potency, and therapeutic effectiveness across the supply chain.

He added that the exercise forms part of efforts to eliminate substandard and falsified medicines while safeguarding public health and safety.

FG Declares PASGA Exercise A Major Success, Sets Path For A Future-Ready Public Service

The Federal Government has declared the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) exercise at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation a resounding success, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to reposition the public service for efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation.

The high-level presentation, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, brought together senior government officials, representatives from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and consultants, to review key findings and outline strategic pathways for institutional reform.

Presenting the report, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Stransform Ltd, Offiong Archibong, stated that the PASGA project has successfully achieved its core objectives through a combination of personnel audits, stakeholder engagements, and data-driven assessments designed to strengthen workforce structure and enhance service delivery.

She explained that the exercise was designed “to present key findings, receive feedback, and discuss next steps,” adding that the process covered extensive field verification across departments and state-linked offices to ensure accuracy and credibility of data.

She stressed that the PASGA exercise provides more than just diagnostics, stating that “the idea is to build an agile, future-ready workforce… not just for what you need now, but for what you need tomorrow.”

On institutional sustainability, she emphasised the urgency of structured succession planning and knowledge transfer, warning that “we are advocating that you don’t let people just exit like that… these are the foundation of knowledge within the system, and when they leave, they always leave a gap.”

Archibong further identified critical capacity gaps in strategic communication, digital content development, records management, and data analytics, noting that strengthening these areas is essential to improving national narrative management and governance effectiveness.

She also pointed to systemic challenges rather than individual shortcomings, stating that “these skills deficits are not individual failure; they reflect systemic design challenges in role specification, training, governance, recruitment strategy, and performance management.”

Federal Government

Speaking on gender representation, she commended the Ministry’s workforce composition, describing it as a positive benchmark, noting that “this is the first ministry we have seen with this kind of gender representation… 56 per cent are women, and we are very proud of it.”

In his remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Director, Publication, Production and Documentary, Mr Okunnu Ibidapo, acknowledged the significance of the PASGA findings and commended the consulting team for a thorough and insightful exercise. He noted that the report provides a clear direction for strengthening institutional performance and assured that the Ministry will carefully review the recommendations with a view to full implementation.

Suleiman Haruna, PhD, mnipr
Director, Public Relations and Protocol
Thursday, 16 April, 2026