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NAFDAC Destroys N1.36bn Fake, Expired Products In Abuja

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Thursday, destroyed fake, adulterated, and unregistered foods, drugs, and cosmetic products worth approximately N1,367,000,000 seized in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The products were destroyed at the Kuje dumpsite in the territory.

In a brief remark during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the destruction exercise is a crucial and routine operation that the agency conducts across all zones of the federation.

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Prof Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director in her office, Dr Festus Ukadike, stated: “We carry out these exercises at least once a year in each zone, depending on the volume of seizures made by the agency. The goal is to eliminate substandard, falsified, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products from the supply chain.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC Warns Public Of Fake Cancer Drug In Circulation

“In 2024, NAFDAC achieved remarkable progress, making substantial seizures that underscore our commitment to safeguarding public health. We carried out several destruction exercises across the zones, including Lagos, where products worth over N120bn of falsified, substandard, and unwholesome food products were destroyed.

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“Our relentless pursuit of justice against health trafficking cartels has resulted in the seizure of over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT alone. These deceitful cartels aim to exploit and harm the unsuspecting Nigerian populace for economic gain. NAFDAC has zero tolerance for such activities and has initiated a thorough investigation to ensure that all involved face appropriate sanctions.”

The DG noted that the products destroyed were seized during the agency’s operations in the FCT and surrounding areas, alongside items handed over by compliant companies and organisations.

The products included drugs such as psychoactive and controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal snuff, and herbal remedies, including drugs seized from hawkers.

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Others were food products, including cookies, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, and items from supermarkets with labels in foreign languages lacking English translations.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC Issues Warning To Bakeries Over Saccharin, Bromate Usage

The cosmetics destroyed included creams, lotions, pomades, and skin-lightening products confiscated from spas and beauty centres. Other items included fake Izal, Jik, and medical devices.

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Expired and unwholesome products voluntarily submitted for destruction by Non-Governmental Organisations and the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria were also destroyed.

The estimated street value of the products slated for destruction today is N1,367,000,000. NAFDAC has significantly ramped up its post-marketing surveillance and enforcement activities to counter the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and foods to national security.

“The agency is proactively engaging political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, as well as journalists and the general public, to galvanise support and commitment in the fight against substandard and falsified products,” she added.

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READ ALSO: NAFDAC Demands Full Compliance With Sachet, PET Bottle Alcohol Ban

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, commended NAFDAC for the destruction of the products and warned manufacturers, importers, and related parties that non-compliance with regulations would not be tolerated under the renewed hope agenda.

Okeke, represented by the FCT Coordinator of SON, Gamagira Mohammed, said: “The rules are there, the guidelines are there. If you are not sure, NAFDAC and SON are there to guide you on standards.

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“I believe we will continue to strengthen our collaboration so that Nigeria can grow, and everybody will be healthy in the interest of the country.”

The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Salamatu Orakwelu, noted: “I commend NAFDAC for this step that you’ve been taking annually, and I assure you that as pharmacists, all measures will be taken to ensure compliance and to support your efforts.”

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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