The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has partnered with the Association of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) to promote a food safety culture in Nigeria.

This collaboration was announced in a statement issued by NAFDAC’s resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

He said the event took place in Lagos on Friday, where NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof.

The statement quoted Adeyeye, highlighting that the collaboration stemmed from an end-of-year stakeholders’ dialogue session with NAFDAC.

She said the session provided an opportunity for both parties to have open discussions on strategic objectives.

Adeyeye noted that the FSAN dialogue had become a key part of NAFDAC’s calendar, marking its third consecutive annual edition.

She said the session aimed to share insights and tackle challenges related to ensuring the safety and quality of food supplied to Nigerians.

The NAFDAC Director-General emphasised that the event underscored the vital role of AFBTE in protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust.

“It also served as a platform for discussing important food safety concerns and sharing information on new regulatory processes for food manufacturing facilities in Nigeria.”

Adeyeye pointed out the far-reaching impact of unsafe food, which not only affected public health but could also harm economies and trade.

She stressed the importance of the food sector in adopting robust food safety standards, innovative solutions, and a food safety culture.

“NAFDAC, alongside AFBTE, is committed to guiding the industry towards voluntary compliance with regulatory requirements.

“This meeting is an opportunity to discuss how we can improve our services and better support you. What worked well in 2024? What didn’t, and how can we improve?”

She also mentioned that NAFDAC had received several applications from manufacturers requesting changes to product formulations, and the agency would work to verify these necessary changes.

The statement also quoted Mr Fred Chiazor, Chairman of the Technical Committee of AFBTE, who commended NAFDAC for facilitating the meeting, which provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to collaborate on progress for the upcoming year.

He noted that AFBTE members had become more strategic in their thinking and encouraged them to speak openly about issues they encounter. (NAN)

The Nigeria, Ghana final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship ends a goalless draw in the first leg played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Super Eagles B held their Ghanaian counterparts to a goalless draw on Sunday at the final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Ghana’s Black Galaxies dominated the first period with a string of opportunities, but they found Eagles’ rearguard marshalled by Captain Nduka Junior impenetrable.

Stephen Amankwoo found a leeway through the Eagles’ defence in the 15^th minute only to see his rising shot go inches wide of Henry Ozoemena’s goal-post.

Sikiru Alimi’s free-kick, with a minute to half time, also went over the sticks as the game became a ding-dong affair between the regional powerhouses.

The scoreless affair is the best result Nigeria have earned against Ghana away in any qualifying contest for the African Nations Championship, with the Eagles losing 2-3 to their hosts in 2008 and then getting spanked by two goals in 2022.

Both teams now look forward to the second leg of the fixture, set for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.

The winner on aggregate will represent WAFU B at the biennial championship reserved exclusively for professional footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.

The eighth edition of the African Nations Championship will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28. (NAN)

Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, says President Bola Tinubu has lifted the ban on mining in Zamfara to boost economic activities and raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

The minister made the disclosure at a dinner session organised to host stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC), Zamfara chapter held in Gusau on Sunday.

Matawalle said the rationale behind lifting the ban on mining was to attract both foreign and domestic investors in the area of solid minerals “which is abundant in the state”, and equally give opportunity to local businessmen to obtain license and engage in the exploration.

He observed that with exploration of gold and other solid minerals, the state IGR would certainly increase.

The minister said that the president had also made it as a policy that companies were to be established in the states where raw materials were based.

“By so doing, the indigenes of the states will have job opportunities and at the same time boost economic engagements, thereby improving their living standard,” he said.

Speaking on the Presidential Tax Reform, Matawalle said it was designed to raise more revenue for both federal and state governments by creating more economic advantages to citizens.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the federal government to the ongoing construction of a dual carriage road from Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State to Badagry in Lagos.

He said the road construction would no doubt open so many economic potentials for the Northerners. (NAN)