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NAFDAC busts rice repackaging factory in Nasarawa
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday raided a rice-repackaging factory in New Karu, Nasarawa, for allegedly counterfeiting popular brands.
The enforcement operation, which confiscated numerous bags of rice from eight different facilities, was led by Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, the Director in charge of the FCT Directorate of the agency.
He explained that the operation was prompted by intelligence from members of the public and reports from the owners of the affected brands.
“Upon receiving these intelligence tips, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, issued a directive that only safe, quality, and wholesome food products should be available to Nigerians during the yuletide and beyond.
“She specifically instructed that those counterfeiting popular brands of rice should be arrested and their products removed from the market”.
Azikiwe added that the NAFDAC D-G also ordered corporate enforcement actions against those rebranding other people’s products.
“This act of counterfeiting rice is illegal. Consumers believe they are buying quality products, but the quality is often substandard.
“Today, after surveillance activities, we discovered facilities where a woman specialises in repackaging popular brands such as Bull 25kg, Stallion Rice 10kg, Tomatoes Rice 25kg, and several others.
“This woman uses a warehouse behind her residential house to carry out the repackaging, which is done only at night.
“Once packaging is completed, the products are moved to a warehouse during the day for sale to unsuspecting consumers.
“The packaging materials are kept in her residence to avoid raising suspicion among neighbours. Today, we visited the premises, confiscated the packaging materials, and seized some of the finished products.
“We also inspected her warehouse and stores where these items were kept for sale, confiscating all the brands found there. Additionally, we visited other warehouses involved in similar activities and destroyed their products, ”Azikiwe said.
He stressed that the agency’s primary aim is to ensure the health and safety of Nigerians.
Azikiwe urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of counterfeiting, noting that such activities often take place within communities.
“If you see anyone engaging in such acts, please report to NAFDAC. Counterfeit products are usually of poor quality and are often produced in unhygienic environments, which makes it impossible to create wholesome or quality goods”.
He also advised the public to buy goods from accredited and trusted food shops, particularly during the festive season.
“People must learn to purchase from reputable dealers or supermarkets that maintain a reliable supply chain for quality products,” he said.
Azikiwe further urged Nigerians to always check for NAFDAC registration numbers, as well as the manufacturing and expiry dates, on all products they purchase.
He revealed that the value of the confiscated counterfeit rice from the operation was approximately N5 million. (NAN)
Lacopo Foti, the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, says his country is ready to collaborate with Kaduna manufacturing and technology, pledging to support investments from Italian companies in the state.
Foti spoke during a courtesy visit to Hadiza Balarabe, Kaduna’s deputy governor, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday.
The envoy also highlighted Italy’s willingness to collaborate with the state government.
“We have come to introduce ourselves, learn about the government’s plans, and see if there are investments which you want the Italian Embassy to facilitate,” Foti was quoted as saying in a statement.
“If there are private investments you desire in Kaduna, especially in machinery or manufacturing, or if you have plans for the next few years, let us know. If you’re interested in agricultural machinery companies like tractor plants, we can make contact with them.”
The ambassador also encouraged the state government to approach the Italian embassy for partnerships.
“We are ready to collaborate in manufacturing, technology and other areas,” he added.
Foti expressed optimism that in the coming months, Italy and Kaduna would collaborate on agriculture, education, and training — pending proposals from the state regarding their interests to present to the Italian government.
He said Italian investors would find Kaduna’s climate more favourable than Abuja’s, noting that the state is also people-friendly.
“We have Italians living here; this visit is an opportunity to meet them and see how we can help them and the State Government,” the envoy noted.
In response, Balarabe acknowledged the long-standing relationship between Italy and Nigeria, expressing interest in strengthening economic ties.
She highlighted Kaduna’s advantages in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, energy, technology, and human capital development, noting that the state is the largest producer of maize, tomatoes, and ginger in Nigeria.
“Italy excels in manufacturing, technology, education, and renewable energy. I hope we can establish collaboration in these areas,” the deputy governor said.
Balarabe, who directed the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) to prepare a proposal for the Italian embassy, also expressed hope that the ambassador’s visit would initiate substantial discussions between the state and Italy.
She said Kaduna looks forward to further engagement with the ambassador, expressing hope that it would not be his last visit to the state.
The Executive Committee and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State have passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani ahead of 2027, declaring that there would not be vacancy in the Aso Rock Villa and Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna during the next election.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by Francis Danladi Kozah and Jerry Irimiya Mark, chairman and co-chairman of the APC stakeholders and read by the council chairman, Joseph Bege.
The communique stated that the decision was taken based on President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s commitments to the peace and security of not just Zangon Kataf, but Kaduna state at large.
According to the stakeholders, the establishment of a military 2nd National Mission Brigade base in the local government has proven to be a pivotal move in sustaining peace in the area.
“Their commitment to the peace and security of our people is evident in the sudden end to attacks on our communities.
“This move reflects the government’s understanding of the critical need for enhanced security measures in areas prone to conflict, thereby fostering an environment where citizens can thrive.
“We urge all residents of Zangon Kataf to remain vigilant and committed to fostering harmony within our communities, as peace is the cornerstone of development,” They said.
The stakeholders lauded Tinubu for appointing Indigenes of Zangon Kataf including Gen. Chris Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and Bishop Hassan Kukah as Pro Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
They explained that given the return of peace in the area and the tangible infrastructural development being witnessed, the re-election of Tinubu and Sani was a done deal.
“In light of all that we have benefited from this government, we want to declare that there is no vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and Aso Rock come 2027.
“We shall offer our full support to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in their re-election bid,” they added.
They appreciated Gov. Sani for the ongoing multi-billion naira skills acquisition city that will provide ‘our youths with certified skills, thereby stamping out the root cause of criminality in our society’.
The stakeholders called on people of the local government to rally behind the two leaders as they have shown dedication to their welfare, security and progress.
Nigeria’s public debt rose by 48.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to N144.67 trillion ($94.23 billion) in 2024 from N97.34 trillion ($108.23 billion) in 2023.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) disclosed this in its latest public debt profile report.
The debt stock consists of external debt of N70.29 trillion ($45.78 billion) serviced with $4.66 million and domestic debt of N74.38 trillion ($48.44 billion).
The report showed that the country’s external debt increased by 83.89 per cent YoY from N38.22 trillion ($42.5 billion) in 2023.
Domestic debt also grew by 25.7 per cent YoY from N59.12 trillion ($65.73 billion) in 2023.
The report further indicated that the Federal Government’s domestic debt component rose by 32 per cent YoY to N70.41 trillion from N53.26 trillion in 2023.
But the domestic debt of states and the Federal Capital Territory declined YoY by 32 per cent to N3.97 trillion in 2024 from N5.86 trillion in 2023.
The rise in public debt can be attributed to fluctuating trends in exchange rates amidst changes in global economic conditions.
The sharp increase, particularly in external debt, highlights the nation’s vulnerability to exchange rate volatility and changes in global economic conditions.
With the continued depreciation of the naira, the cost of servicing foreign debt could escalate, adding pressure on the country’s financial resources.