power so nobody has won in this battle all of us have won there’s no there’s no loser
and there’s no bank i’m just pleading with all our party members
all those that are singing don’t abuse anybody please and as far as far as far as i’m concerned
i’m not grudging anybody because the contest happened within the same party it’s not that
they’ve gone to another party so it’s just a family contestation and once the things
is resolved all of us have to come together to ensure that the family becomes one
And I hope that this advice is taken by all our party members and supporters.
It is with great pleasure that I address you today.
the 16th day of October 2025, as administration marks three years in office.
It particularly gladdens my heart that we are celebrating this milestone
with the commissioning and flag-off of two critical health projects
that will further enhance the well-being of the good people of HGT State.
These two projects, the new PharmaGrade warehouse of the Drug Management Agency
and the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care services,
are not only a demonstration of our government’s unwavering commitment to the health of our people,
but also a reflection of our growing capacity to attract partnerships and investment
that strengthens our economy and improves the quality of life of our citizens.
The PharmaGrade warehouse, built with the general support of the Global Funds,
stands today as a key pillar of an effective and transparent drug management system.
It provides the DMA with the infrastructure it needs to operate at the highest professional standards,
ensuring the continuous availability of quality, safe and affordable medical supplies
for hospitals and health facilities across the state.
With this facility, HGT State now has the capacity to maintain an adequate supply of medicines and consumables,
prevent frequent stockouts,
and effectively curb the circulation of fake and substandard drugs within our borders.
It represents not just an investment in infrastructure, but in the health security of our people.
The resource peaks for themselves.
Before the establishment of the DMA, only 43% of health facilities in the state had regular access to essential medicine.
Today, that figure has risen to 89%.
Primary health care coverage now stands at 80%.
While both secondary and tertiary facilities have achieved 100% coverage.
In addition, the agency’s average monthly revenue has grown from $28 million to $75 million,
demonstrating greater efficiency, accountability, and sustainability in our drug supply system.
Our efforts to progressively improve the quality of care in our health facilities is receiving a major boost today.
To cap the ongoing revitalization of 103 primary health care facilities across the 16 local governments
under the World Bank-sponsored IMPACT project,
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
I am glad to flag off the distribution of medical equipment to our primary health care centers.
These strategic investment complements are a broader push towards universal health care.
health care delivery at all levels primary secondary and tertiary we have
also made deliberate efforts to improve the welfare of our health workers we have
enhanced their conditions of service and stemmed the tide of migration from the
state health workforce to the federal workforce I approved the employment of
100 additional health workers for primary health care centers and 150 for
secondary at facility to close a 16 man power gaps and ensure uninterrupted
service delivery beyond infrastructure and staffing we are working to make
healthcare affordable and accessible for every family through our
Uleerawa initiative we have continued to provide free antenatal delivery and
postnatal care for all pregnant women in the states alongside free immunization
services and free malaria
treatment this year alone about 200 000 equity residents have benefited from these services
and nearly 750 000 people have benefited since inception of the initiative through this
initiative we have significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenditure for health services
supported our most vulnerable populations and ensure that every person in equity state
regardless of income or location can access quality healthcare without financial hardship
these interventions are central to our shared prosperity and human capital development agenda
we remain at the hearts we should remain at the heart of our administration we are resolute in
our mission to make equity a state where quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right
if educated under an other
leadership the government has shown clear commitment to the welfare of our people and we
will remain steadfast in positioning equity among the living states in nigeria for h-16 performance
PROTOCOL ADDRESS”)
PROTOCOL ADDRESS
It is with utmost gratitude to Almighty God that I stand before you today to witness this historic occasion.
This event is particularly remarkable because this project is one of the first of its kind in Nigeria, and indeed, the very first in the South-West region. It is therefore a great honour to be part of this epoch-making moment.
Today’s occasion is not just another ceremony; it is a testament to our collective commitment to His Excellency, the Governor’s Shared Prosperity agenda, part of which seeks to ensure that every citizen of Ekiti State has unhindered access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines and health commodities, as captured under the Human Capital Development (HCD) pillar of this administration.
His Excellency has consistently demonstrated his passion for accessible healthcare through the provision of modern infrastructure, competent healthcare professionals, and safe, affordable medicines. In furtherance of this vision, the Governor promptly approved and released the counterpart funding that made the completion of this project possible.
The success story of the Drugs Management Agency (DMA) would be incomplete without acknowledging the invaluable support of our development partners, The Global Fund (TGF), the relentless commitment of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, and the dedication of past General Managers, from the pioneer leadership to the immediate past administration.
The Agency commenced full operations in April 2022 following the signing of its Establishment Bill into law and the institution of appropriate governance structures. Since then, health facility coverage has grown significantly—from 47% to 83%, ensuring at least one functional health facility in every ward. Stock-out rates have been drastically reduced, with facilities now receiving timely and adequate supplies to meet their needs.
Additionally, our Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) have expanded impressively, from an initial 230 SKUs at inception to over 670 SKUs currently. We remain optimistic that this figure will soon exceed 1,000 SKUs, as we continue to broaden our portfolio of essential medicines and health commodities to serve the entire State more effectively.
In our drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Agency has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with reputable local pharmaceutical companies to guarantee consistent access to NAFDAC-approved medicines at affordable prices for the people of Ekiti State.
At this juncture, I wish to appreciate the strong inter-agency collaboration within the health sector, particularly among the Ministry of Health, the Hospitals Management Board, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, EKHIS, and SACA—all ably coordinated by our indefatigable Honourable Commissioner for Health. To the entire health team, I say thank you for rallying behind the DMA to achieve this remarkable milestone.
I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance of the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolake Olomojobi, and the resilient team from the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD) led by Engr. (Dr.) John Ekundayo. To the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH—our landlord—we are deeply grateful for your cooperation and support.
To the members of the Agency’s Governing Board, under the able leadership of Pharm. Shittu, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your steadfast support and commitment.
Your Excellency, despite our notable progress, the Agency still faces certain challenges that limit its full operational capacity. We therefore appeal to the State Government for additional funding to further expand our stock-keeping capacity and meet the ever-growing demand from health facilities across all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary. With the ever-growing demand from health facilities across the state continuing to increase significantly. With four tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, the burden on the Agency continues to increase significantly.
We also seek the provision of utility vehicles to enhance last-mile distribution—bringing essential commodities directly to the doorsteps of health facilities across the State. Furthermore, to ensure continuous quality assurance of all commodities received and distributed, the Agency proposes the establishment of a well-equipped mini quality-control laboratory.
In conclusion, I wish express profound gratitude to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, the entire health team, and the management and staff of the Ekiti State Drugs and Health Supplies Management Agency (EKS DHMA).
To our esteemed partners, The Global Fund, UNICEF, and the NPSCMP Project—we sincerely appreciate your unwavering support, which has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.
Thank you all for your attention.
God bless Ekiti State.
*REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN,* *GOVERNING BOARD OF THE EKITI STATE DRUGS* *AND HEALTH SUPPLIES* *MANAGEMENT AGENCY (EKDHSMA), PHARM* *OLUSHOLA SHITTU, AT THE OFFICIAL* *COMMISSIONING OF THE PHARMA GRADE* *WAREHOUSE, HELD ON THURSDAY, 16TH OCTOBER, 2025*
*Protocol*
Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji,
Members of the State Executive Council hereby present,
Representatives of UNICEF and other partners,
The Honourable Commissioner for Health,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me immense joy and gratitude to stand before you on this historic occasion — the official commissioning of the Pharma Grade Warehouse of the Ekiti State Drugs and Health Supplies Management Agency (EKDHSMA).
I give glory to Almighty God for making this day possible, and I deeply appreciate Your Excellency for your unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in our dear State.
This edifice represents more than just a building — it is a symbol of renewed efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in our public medicines supply chain. It is the realization of a vision conceived years ago to guarantee access to quality, safe, and affordable medicines for all Ekiti citizens.
Your Excellency, on behalf of the Governing Board, Management, and Staff of EKDHSMA, I express profound appreciation for your approval of additional counterpart funding, which complemented the ₦26 million earlier released by the previous administration. This critical intervention made the completion of this warehouse a reality.
We also sincerely thank UNICEF, our dependable partner and financier, whose consistent technical and financial support has been pivotal to the success of this project. Your collaboration continues to strengthen health systems not only in Ekiti State but across Nigeria.
Your Excellency, since the constitution of this Board, we have remained committed to institutional reforms anchored on the EKDHSMA Law. Our priorities are clear — to establish sound financial controls, ensure transparent procurement processes, and prevent the misapplication of working capital.
The Board is also exploring innovative ways to boost internally generated revenue in line with Your Excellency’s Shared Prosperity Agenda. Our goal is to make EKDHSMA a model Drug Management Agency in Nigeria — one that contributes meaningfully to both economic growth and public health security in Ekiti State.
We are, however, mindful of the need for increased capital funding to further expand the Agency’s capacity. Once ongoing financial reforms are consolidated, we shall humbly seek Your Excellency’s kind support to strengthen and scale up our impact.
Your Excellency, permit me to also congratulate you on your third anniversary in office. The remarkable progress across every sector of Ekiti State bears testimony to your visionary, people-centered leadership. We pray for greater strength and a resounding success in the forthcoming elections.
In closing, I reaffirm the unwavering commitment of this Board to work hand in hand with your administration in ensuring uninterrupted access to quality medicines for all.
May this new Pharma Grade Warehouse stand as a legacy of efficiency, transparency, and excellence in the management of public health commodities in Ekiti State.
Thank you, UNICEF, for your partnership.
Thank you, Your Excellency, for your trust and vision.
And thank you, distinguished guests, for your kind attention.
Long live EKDHSMA!
Long live Ekiti State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
*Pharm. Olushola Shittu*
*Chairman, Governing Board, EKDHSMA*
”