News

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians, Says Drug Hawkers Are Merchants Of Death

Published

3 years ago

August 8, 2023

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has described many drug hawkers as merchants of death, who knowingly or unknowingly, expose lifesaving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather, thereby degrading the active ingredients to the things that endanger human life.

Speaking at the South East zonal media sensitization workshop on the dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbide in Awka, the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye said most of the perpetrators are semi-literate, who even parade themselves as Doctors and sometimes prescribe drugs to unsuspecting members of the public.

Adeyeye, who spoke through the Director (Chemical Evaluation and Research) in NAFDAC, Dr Leonard Omokpariola said that despite the concern and alarm raised by many organizations on the looming dangers and health implications, the activities have continued across the country.

The DG said: “It is dangerous to hawk drugs and ripe fruits with chemicals. Despite NAFDAC’s activities through enforcement and seizures, the perpetrators have continued.

“They sell their products cheap because they are not the genuine ones. Drugs are sensitive lifesaving commodities and should never, under any circumstance, be sold in the open market because there are standard storage conditions for them.

“These products they sell are poisons and should never be taken as they do not contain active ingredients and therefore cannot cure any ailment.

“Any drug hawkers arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and and will be made to face jail terms.”

On the riping of fruits with dangerous carbide, Adeyeye said the action is rampant in many parts of the country, especially in the urban areas.

According to her, calcium has the capacity and tendency to degrade and break down micro nutrients and turn them to chemicals that are of no use to the body.

“They use the dangerous gas which is used for welding to ripen fruits. It reduces oxygen supply system to the body and contains a lot of impurities.

“It causes dizziness and mood alteration and can cause sleeping disorder, mouth cancer, skin rashes, kidney problem and sometimes, cancer.

“What is used in riping fruits is ethylene gas.”

NAFDAC director of public affairs, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh solicited the cooperation of the media in the battle against drug hawking.

He observed that the agency, since its inception, has continued to sanitize the drug and food industry, lamenting that in spite of the efforts, many people have continued to undermine its activities.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

11 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

33 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.