NEWS
NAFDAC introduces online products registration to manufacturers in Osun
NAFDAC introduces online products registration
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, introduced online product and company registration for producers and marketers of NAFDAC- controlled and regulated products in Osun.
Mr Akin Fagboroye, Assistant Director, NAFDAC, South West Zonal Office, Ibadan, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with products’ manufacturers and distributors in Osogbo.
He explained that the online registration was to eliminate bottlenecks and eliminate third parties in product registration process.
Fagboroye explained that the online registration, which had been on for a while, was for limited and certain products, “and the online registration now covered all products controlled and regulated by NAFDAC”.
“The online registration, NAFDAC Automated Products Administration and Monitoring system (NAPAMS), is to enable manufacturers register their products easily from the comfort of their homes.
“The process has been made seamless that an applicant can monitor (online) all the process from: registration, payment, status/stages of registered product and even print out registration certificate of the product without going to NAFDAC office,” he said.
Also, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, Director, NAFDAC South West Zonal Office, Ibadan, said although the online registration was to enable easy registration of products, NAFDAC still had desk officers to attend to customers’ enquires and complaints.
“NAFDAC wants to advance beyond the level 3 international rating in food control and regulation and henceforth, they will be engaging in post-market surveillance.
“You will see us more on the field. Stakeholders, especially in the distribution chain, that do not have the requirements to distribute some NAFDAC regulated products should do the needful, register and get listed with NAFDAC,” she said.
She said defaulters or those that were found short of the requirements during NAFDAC’s visit to their establishments would be sanctioned appropriately.
Dr Isaac Kolawole, Osun NAFDAC State Coordinator, in his remarks, stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was part of the agency’s interactive programme to sensitise, educate and enlighten manufacturers and distributors.
He also said the meeting was to also update everyone on current issues about NAFDAC.
Kolawole said NAPAMS was to enlighten stakeholders that NAFDAC had now provided an automatic e-process for product registration.
“The e-process (electronic process) would eliminate unnecessary documentation, delay in registration and also reduce unnecessary charges being levied on our stakeholders by consultants.
“Prior to the meeting, Osun NAFDAC office has always introduced NAPAMS to stakeholders at every meeting,” he added.
NEWS
Intervention Fund: BOI Disburses N22.89bn to 29 Manufacturers
The Bank of Industry (BOI) says it has disbursed N22.89 billion out of the N75 billion manufacturing sector intervention fund to 29 manufacturers.Its Managing Director, Dr Olasupo Olusi, made this known on Monday at the first BOI interactive session with the Organised Private Sector in Abuja, which was monitored virtually.
Olusi said that out of the N75 billion manufacturing sector fund, other 20 projects valued at N6. 3billion were at different stages of disbursement. He said that the interactive session was a collaborative milestone, a reflection of shared vision to create a thriving industrial sector.According to him, it is also a critical step in driving Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development through strategic partnerships.“Recently, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your esteemed associations.“This agreement underscores a simple truth that we cannot transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape alone.“The journey to sustainable economic growth must be fueled by collaboration, innovation, and a shared resolve to address systemic challenges,” he said.The BOI MD said that under the signed agreement, the bank had already begun making strides through joint efforts on the Federal Government’s loans programme.He said that the event, with the theme, “Driving SME Development through Strategic Partnerships” challenged everyone to reimagine how we work together.Olusi said in practice, this meant shared responsibility as the bank’s role was not only to provide financing but also to support an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.“This includes addressing infrastructure gaps, regulatory bottlenecks, and access to markets.“However, your expertise and insights are essential to inform these efforts.“On collaborative innovation, we must work together to introduce technology, sustainability, and skills development as core pillars of SME growth.“We are concerned about your most pressing challenges, your operations, how we can further align our programmes with your needs and the innovative solutions we can pursue together to accelerate growth,” he said.Olusi urged the organised private sector to keep in mind the six thematic areas of impact that BOI was focused on in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.He listed them to include MSME development, digital transformation, youth and skills development, climate and sustainability, gender inclusion and sectoral growth.“These are not just BOI’s priorities; they are national imperatives and they require your active participation to succeed.“The Bank of Industry stands as your partner in progress, ready to support at every step of the way as together we have the potential to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape,” he said.(NAN)NEWS
Wike Backs Amendment of TETFund Act to Accommodate Nigerian Law School
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has backed ongoing calls for the amendment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to accommodate the Nigerian Law School in its interventions.Wike announced the support at the inauguration of the construction of 10-unit housing staff quarters for the Nigerian Law school, Bwari, Abuja, on Monday.
Report says that the minister also handed over seven operation vehicles to the school to improve its operation. The minister said that the amendment of the TETFund Act to accommodate the Nigerian Law School was long overdue, considering its contribution to the development of the legal profession.“This is a professional training school. So, we will give all the necessary support that the Fund be amended for the law school to benefit from its special intervention funds.“If that happens, I am sure the difference will be clear. The school will have the money it requires to provide critical infrastructure,” he said.Wile also called for increased budgetary provisions for the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to carry out infrastructural development for quality service delivery.He explained that the provision of staff quarters and operational vehicles to the law school in Bwari was directed by President Bola Tinubu.He added that the institution also belongs to the Federal Government, and as such, there was nothing wrong in providing the needed infrastructure to uplift the school.The minister also promised to build 200-bed male and female hostels for the Nigerian Laws School, Bwari.According to him, the current hostels are not fit for the training of professional lawyers for the Nigerian legal professionHe said that the funds for the construction of the hostels would be captured in the FCTA’s 2025 budget.He called on those who might not be happy with the support being given to the judiciary and legal education to wait for their turn.He said: “If anybody is angry with us, let him wait for his turn. When you become the Minister of FCT, do it for your own profession.“I am not going to be intimidated by anybody.“Now that we are in this position, we must contribute to our constituency so that tomorrow, we will be able to say, while we were there, this was our own contribution as far as our constituency, the legal profession is concerned.”He thanked Tinubu for giving him all the support he needs to succeed as the minister of the FCT.Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, equally frowned at the non-inclusion of the Nigerian Law School as a benefiting institution.“If you look at the laws setting up TETFund, the Nigerian Law School is not included, and I think the time has come to amend the Act to include the Nigerian Law School.“This will enable the school benefit for the TETFund intervention funds,” he said.Fagbemi thanked Wike, whom he described as “Mr Project” for all the support to the judiciary and the legal profession.“Whether or not you like him, you cannot dispute the fact that he is a performer, and one person you will always know where he stands, no matter what, even if you don’t agree with him.“Another thing is, he does not embark on any project he has no money to complete,” he said.He appealed to other public office holders to extend a similar gesture to the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to maintain high standards in the training of legal professionals.On his part, the Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isah Chiroma, recalled that he had appealed to Wike for infrastructural support when he assumed office in August 2023.“This project, is therefore, a promise made and a promise kept. The housing and operational vehicles will go a long way in assisting the school to achieve its mandate,” he said.Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, said that staff quarters would consist of a fully furnished four-bedroom bungalow, and expected to be completed in nine months. (NAN)NEWS
NCAA to Sanction Airline Operators for Delayed Tickets Refund
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is ready to sanction any airlines that delay tickets refund to the passengers.Mr Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja,.According to him, tickets refund compliance regulations remains central to the NCAA’s consumer protection agenda.
He said the time had come for airlines adhere strictly to the refund timelines as failure to comply will attract immediate sanctions under Part 19 of the regulations. The director said the Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 aimed to safeguard passenger rights.“Cash purchases must be refunded immediately, and by cash. Refunds for electronic payments, including mobile apps and internet banking, must occur within 14 days,” he said.Speaking on a specific case involving Air Peace, the director stated that the airline had exceeded the stipulated refund timeframe, compelling the NCAA to demand swift compliance.According to him, the incident has triggered the regulator’s to take decisive action against any form of non-compliance.“Over the past year, the NCAA has worked with airlines to enhance passenger experience and resolve operational challenges.” The Authority has maintained a balanced approach, fostering cooperation between operators and regulators to promote better service delivery. “Most airlines have been responsive, and the relationship between operators and the NCAA has significantly improved, benefiting passengers across the board,” he said.Achimugu , however, said that the era of leniency had ended with stricter enforcement measures now in place.The director said that airlines that failed to meet the refund timelines outlined in the NCAA Regulations 2023 would face sanctions. The director, who reassured passengers that the policy shift would reflect the regulator’s commitment to their rights, urged the airlines to view compliance as an opportunity to rebuild trust.Achimugu, who acknowledged operational challenges the airlines were facing, called for improved efficiency in the areas like refunds described as “low-hanging fruits”. The director said the NCAA had facilitated full refunds and substantial rebates for passengers in the past. According to him, passengers may not fully understand the complexities of aviation operations, but paying refunds that are due should be prompt.He commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the NCAA Acting Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo on their efforts toward advancing the aviation industry.“Their commitment to implementing the Minister’s five-point agenda and the 2024 Action Plan, which emphasize ease of doing business and support for domestic carriers.” These efforts have garnered praise from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), to affirm Najomo as substantive NCAA DG. “NCAA remains steadfast in ensuring accountability within the aviation sector and the Consumer Protection Department has done extensive works to sensitise passengers and support operators,” he said. (NAN)