NEWS
NAFDAC Destroys Expired, Substandard Products worth N4.7bn in Rivers
The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) has said that it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers state dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives,” she said..
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye said that the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed,”she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.(NAN
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has further secured full accreditations for its programmes in law, engineering, sciences as well as other fields.This was even as the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Aloysius Michaels-Okolie commended the state governor, Dr.
Peter Mbah for committing huge resources in the education sector, saying the commitment helped to equip ESUT with modern learning facilities. The accreditations were contained in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.The letter further highlighted the Commission’s satisfaction with the institution’s adherence to academic standards and its ability to provide quality education.According to the NUC, faculties that were fully accredited following its October/November 2024 accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian universities included the Faculties of Law, Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Science, Education and Administration.Reacting to the development, the VC said the result of the accreditations was a testament to the institution’s resilience and commitment to academic excellence, and its determination to produce high-quality competitive graduates that will fit into the emerging global market where technology and innovation are driving the space.He also attributed the accreditation to the Governor’s deliberate efforts and support for education in the State, pointing that Enugu State is the highest spender in education in the country.“Governor Mbah is a pivotal force playing a major role and acting as an instrument and catalyst for transforming ESUT into a premier university of science and technology in Africa. The Governor’s intervention has enabled our institution to access the necessary resources and infrastructure to deliver quality education,” he added.He extolled the governor for his leadership’s programmes for the youths aimed at improving human capital development, wealth creation and eradication of poverty in the state.Explaining that the recent review in the university’s fees was not designed to serve as punitive measure or as school fees increase, the Vice Chancellor said it was merely adjusted to reflect the demands of economic realities and the hyper-inflation in the country.Calling on students and parents to eschew misinformation about the ongoing interest-free students’ loan by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Prof Okolie said the loan was meant for all students of federal and state tertiary institutions, including those in the southeast.He stressed that students from other parts of the country were already accessing the fund which was very flexible to pay back years after their university education when they could have started working as either entrepreneurs or public servants.Meanwhile, students of the university have expressed delight over the accreditations, insisting that the “good news” was possible because of a Governor who loves education and a university management dedicated to serve as an example for others.A postgraduate student in the Faculty of Administration, Ibekwe Ukachukwu, while addressing newsmen in the ESUT Permanent Site, Agbani, said the Vice Chancellor and his team had also initiated a series of reforms aimed at making the university a leading academic and research institution.“These reforms are already yielding good results. They are now paying off and I’m glad that the management has created an environment that fosters innovation and redefines the output of the institution,” a final year student at the Faculty of Environmental Science”, Eneh Chisom added.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
In a groundbreaking display of community leadership and philanthropy, the revered Obi of Ogwashi-Uku has personally initiated and funded the construction of a state-of-the-art maternity clinic aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs of pregnant women, expectant mothers, and newborns in the town and its surrounding communities.
The facility construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 is expected to significantly alleviate the pressure on urban hospitals and improve maternal and child health outcomes across Delta State. During a ceremonial groundbreaking event, the Obi, accompanied by key members of the Obi-in-Council, was warmly received by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Lawrence Afinota, along with his management team.In an emotional address, Dr. Afinota described the project as “unprecedented,” praising the monarch’s decision to use personal funds to support such a vital public health initiative.“In all my years in public health service, I have not heard of a traditional ruler committing personal funds to a project of this scale. We are sincerely grateful,” the CMD said, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Health and the hospital management.Blueprints obtained by our correspondent show that the clinic will include general maternity wards, private delivery rooms, incubator suites for neonatal care, a fully equipped pharmacy, and other essential healthcare amenities.The initiative has drawn widespread admiration, especially from the local community. Present at the ceremony were members of the Ogwashi-Uku Town Union, local leaders, and a large number of residents who gathered to express their support and appreciation.The Omu of Ogwashi-Uku, speaking on behalf of the women of the community, called the project a “blessing.”“This building is a blessing to the women of Ogwashi-Uku. Many of us have had to travel long distances to Asaba for adequate care. With this, our burdens will be greatly eased,” she said.The Obi’s initiative is being hailed as a powerful example of how traditional leadership can directly contribute to development and social welfare. It reinforces the monarch’s ongoing efforts to promote health, security, and the well-being of his people.As the project moves forward, anticipation continues to build for the positive impact it will have on healthcare delivery in the region.
From Yagana Ali, Yola
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recognized and rewarded the honesty of Corps Assistant II (CA II) Abubakar Abdulkadir Mayos for returning a substantial sum of money to its rightful owner.Mayos found a bag containing $500 and 300 Saudi Riyals (valued at N850,000) belonging to Maimuna Salihu, an intending pilgrim from Taraba State, at Yola International Airport.
In a heartwarming display of integrity, Mayos promptly returned the bag to its owner, demonstrating exceptional honesty and trustworthiness. The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, took notice of Mayos’ actions and decided to promote him to Corps Assistant I (CA I) with immediate effect.The promotion ceremony, held at the NSCDC state headquarters in Yola, Adamawa State capital, was a testament to the Commandant General’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding honesty and integrity within the organization. The gesture serves as a powerful message, encouraging a culture of trust, accountability, and principled behavior among NSCDC officers.Mayos’ actions and subsequent promotion have set a positive example for others to follow, highlighting the importance of doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. The NSCDC’s recognition of Mayos’ honesty demonstrates the organization’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.As the NSCDC continues to play a vital role in maintaining security and order, the story of CA Mayos serves as an inspiration to officers and Nigerians alike, promoting a culture of integrity and trustworthiness that can have a lasting impact on the nation.
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