By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, has said his decision to adopt a reform-driven approach since assuming office is aimed at delivering meaningful change that improves the lives of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
The ministry disclosed this in a statement signed by Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet McDickson, following a courtesy visit by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmacist Ibrahim Baba Shehu Ahmed, to the minister’s office in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Doro said his reform agenda was designed to strengthen the ministry’s impact by ensuring that humanitarian interventions and poverty reduction programmes translate into lasting benefits for vulnerable communities.
The minister commended the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria for their efforts in regulating the profession and curbing the activities of quack practitioners across the country.
He urged the council to sustain its commitment to maintaining professional standards, noting that its resilience has contributed significantly to promoting a healthier society.
Doro also highlighted the ministry’s flagship initiative, the One Humanitarian One Poverty Reduction System (OHOPRS), describing it as an integrated framework that aligns humanitarian response, social protection and poverty reduction initiatives under a unified national coordination mechanism.
According to him, the programme is designed to eliminate fragmentation, duplication and isolated interventions across humanitarian and social protection programmes while promoting immediate relief, economic empowerment, resilience and long-term self-sufficiency for beneficiaries.
The minister expressed optimism about establishing a strategic partnership between the ministry and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria to advance shared development goals.
Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharmacist Ibrahim Baba Shehu Ahmed, said the visit was to congratulate Dr. Doro on his appointment and commend the reforms he has initiated since assuming office.
He assured the minister of the council’s support, describing him as a seasoned professional with vast global experience capable of transforming the humanitarian sector.
Ahmed also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr. Doro, saying the minister possesses the expertise required to drive meaningful reforms.
He noted that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is statutorily empowered to regulate pharmaceutical practice in line with international best practices and currently operates offices in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with its headquarters in Abuja and Lagos serving as a special zone.
The PCN registrar added that the council collaborates with several organisations to improve healthcare delivery and promote public health, expressing readiness to partner with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in areas of mutual interest.
