Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the formulation of regulations for enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods, critical to checkmating the country’s growing prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

In a statement to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2025, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) referenced World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that reducing salt intake is one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.

CAPPA in the statement by Robert Egbe,

Media & Communications Officer, insisted that WHO Member States are on a plan to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30 percent by the end of this year.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), between seven and nine grams of salt daily, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit of five grams (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). 

Consequently, no less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country are attributed to excess sodium consumption. Sodium overconsumption has also been tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adult Nigerians.

“This is too heavy a burden for the health sector to bear, and the issue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s alarming burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.

Oluwafemi reaffirmed CAPPA’s support for the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. 

He also urged the Ministry to ramp up support to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which is drafting the regulations.

The statement noted that cultural practices, rapid urbanization, deceptive marketing and changing lifestyles are tilting Nigerians’ dietary patterns towards ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. 

“This makes the need for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food packages a necessity. Furthermore, manufacturers should also be compelled to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt content of their products without compromising quality,” the statement added.

World Salt Awareness Week is observed from May 12th to 18th and aims to raise awareness about the impact of excess salt intake on health and promote healthy dietary habits.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the formulation of regulations for enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods, critical to checkmating the country’s growing prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

In a statement to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2025, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) referenced World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that reducing salt intake is one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.

CAPPA in the statement by Robert Egbe,

Media & Communications Officer, insisted that WHO Member States are on a plan to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30 percent by the end of this year. But most countries, including Nigeria, are unlikely to meet the deadline.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), between seven and nine grams of salt daily, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit of five grams (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). 

Consequently, no less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country are attributed to excess sodium consumption. Sodium overconsumption has also been tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adult Nigerians.

“This is too heavy a burden for the health sector to bear, and the issue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s alarming burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.

Oluwafemi reaffirmed CAPPA’s support for the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. 

He also urged the Ministry to ramp up support to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which is drafting the regulations.

The statement noted that cultural practices, rapid urbanization, deceptive marketing and changing lifestyles are tilting Nigerians’ dietary patterns towards ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. 

“This makes the need for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food packages a necessity. Furthermore, manufacturers should also be compelled to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt content of their products without compromising quality,” the statement added.

World Salt Awareness Week is observed from May 12th to 18th and aims to raise awareness about the impact of excess salt intake on health and promote healthy dietary habits.

The United Nations (UN) Women and other stakeholders on Monday,  called on Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri to assent to the bill promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Adamawa.

Mrs Amina Bello, the National Programme Officer, UN Women, made the call during a policy dialogue on Enhancing Inclusion of Women with Disabilities (WWDs) in peace and security decision-making, in Yola.

The programme sponsored by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) had in attendance disability rights advocates, PWDs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government agencies, among others.

Bello emphasised that the rights of PWDs are human rights and stressed the need for robust measures, policies, and legislation to protect those rights.

“Adamawa is in the process of passing a bill to re-enact the PWD Commission into law.

” The bill has been passed by the State House of Assembly and is currently awaiting the governor’s assent.

“All stakeholders must continue to advocate for a comprehensive legal framework that guarantees the rights of PWDs.

“This will ensure their meaningful inclusion in all aspects of society and enable them to access social, economic, and political opportunities without hindrance,” she said.

Bello noted that the policy dialogue created a unique platform for WWDs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to engage in constructive discussion.

“Participants developed a Joint Action Plan that identified key challenges and proposed actionable solutions.

“The meeting also integrated WWDs into women-led peace structures such as the Mixed Observation Team and the Women Mediation Network,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Rukaiyatu Tahir, Principal Welfare Officer, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said peacebuilding among WWDs was a core mandate of the ministry.

“The rehabilitation department ensures the inclusion of WWDs in peacebuilding processes.

“We work to protect their rights and shield them from discrimination and stigmatisation.

“The ministry also empowers them to be independent and productive, reducing their reliance on street begging,” Tahir added.

In her remarks, Mrs Jamila Babuba, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said the organisation continues to strengthen advocacy efforts for WWDs.

According to her, “FIDA provides accessible legal aid through pro bono services and ensures legal support considering mobility and communication challenges.

“We also advocate for inclusive legal frameworks that incorporate disability rights into post-conflict legal reforms,” Babuba said.

She stressed the importance of the unique needs of WWDs be reflected in new laws and policies that guarantees their rights.

NAN reports that on March 27, the Adamawa  House of Assembly  passed a bill to prohibit all forms of discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

The bill, which repeals the Adamawa Disability Rights Commission Law No. 14 of 2016 and enacts the Adamawa State Persons with Disability Law Commission, aims to ensure the full integration of PWDs into society.

NAN reports that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Yohanna Jauro, the representative of Mubi South Constituency, was one of four crucial legislations passed by the house.

It seeks to create a legal framework that guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities and mandates their protection from any form of discrimination, exclusion, or unfair treatment.

Disability rights activists have long called for stronger legal protections and more effective implementation of policies to ensure accessibility and full participation of PWDs in various sectors, including education, employment, politics, and public services.(NAN)

 The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, after it was caught illegally producing five different water products.

Mr Anga Emmanuel, Deputy Director and Head of the NAFDAC Lafia office, disclosed this to journalists on Friday during a press briefing.

He said the factory, originally licensed to produce Mainima Table Water, was discovered during a routine inspection to be manufacturing other unregistered products.

He said one Mr Christian Chukuma was arrested during the visit.

According to Emmanuel, the illegally produced brands included Bilal Table Water, Nkonjun Table Water, Anumzi Table Water, and Agbeni Table Water, none of which originated from Lafia.

“All the other products he was found to be producing are not from Lafia; one is even in Kaduna State,” he said.

He added that the factory’s license had expired and that it failed to meet basic manufacturing compliance standards.

Emmanuel explained that Bilal and Agbeni were registered in Doma Local Government Area (LGA), Nkonjun in Akwanga LGA, and Anumzi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

He described the act as fraudulent and dangerous, and warned others engaged in similar practices to desist or face legal consequences.

Emmanuel emphasised that NAFDAC would intensify its surveillance to ensure only safe and regulated products reached consumers.

 “The factory has been shut down and the culprit will face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated.

The deputy director also called on the public to report any suspicious or unregistered products in their areas for immediate action.

Meanwhile, Chukuma confessed to producing the unregistered water brands.

Speaking to journalists, he blamed economic hardship for his actions and pleaded for leniency.

He claimed that the actual owner of the facility was unaware of the illegal operations, as he had only rented the space.(NAN).