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NAFDAC destroys fake products worth N43bn in Ibadan

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday in Ibadan began the destruction of fake products worth N43 billion.

The exercise tagged “Investigation and Enforcement, Lagos destruction of fake, expired, substandard and falsified drugs, medical devices and unwholesome regulated products”, was carried out at Moniya dump site, Ibadan.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, was represented by NAFDAC Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Shaba Mohammed.

She said the products being destroyed comprised food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC Regulated Products.

These were seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Adeyeye added that among the destroyed products also included damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, NGOs and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

“The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is N43 billion; NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safeguarded.

“As such, it is committed to eliminating medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals, medical devices, and other products.

“There were several hawkers’ raids carried out across various locations in Lagos. Several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products were seized.

“The products seized comprise various aphrodisiacs and sex enhancement drugs. Some Over-The-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Only Medicines (POM) drugs were also found and seized from the hawkers.

“Over 30 wares were seized in total.

“Products peddled by these drug hawkers including banned Codeine substances and narcotic drugs (e.g. Tramadol capsules), Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, Antibiotics worth over N48 million were confiscated,” she said.

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She said the agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale and distribution of Schedule 1 Narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations in the country.

Adeyeye added that Investigation and Enforcement of the agency raided some pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the country to confiscate products worth over N700 million following discrete surveillance.

“Some other products for destruction today are some products that were mopped up from circulation during Investigation and Enforcement Directorate’s raids.

“These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products, such as codeine syrup, expired tramadol, aphrodisiacs, anti-malarials, and many other unregistered drugs.

“Other products are contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays,” she said.

Adeyeye urged the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed food and other NAFDAC Regulated products.

This, she added, should be done by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC Office for prompt investigation.

She said as part of the strategies to fight counterfeiting of regulated products in the country, the Federal Government directed the establishment of four Coordinated Wholesale Centers (CWC) across the country.

“The Kano CWC has taken off early this year as the flagship. The remaining ones, we are working round the clock to get them established before the end of the year.

“In furtherance of the Anti-Counterfeiting move, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, is set for the inauguration of the Federal and State Task Forces on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods at a date to be announced soon.

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“I sincerely and openly appreciate the collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), for handing over several containers of unregistered, expired, substandard, falsified and unwholesome regulated products which will also be destroyed today,” Adeyeye said.

Also, the NAFDAC Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Aderemi Afolabi, remarked that the agency laid down procedures for all regulated products.

“Anyone who does not follow the procedure will have a problem with NAFDAC,” Afolabi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that dignitaries at the destruction exercise included representatives of the Police, Oyo state government, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Services among others. (NAN

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APC Youth Group Counters Jaji’s Claims Against Matawalle

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The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.

“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.

The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.

“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”

The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.

“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.

The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.

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“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.

The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.

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Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.

Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.

Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.

He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.

In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.

“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.

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He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.

“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.

The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.

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Senator Natasha: Nigerians are watching – Arewa youths to INEC, police

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Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.

This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.

It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.

However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.

Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.

He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.

“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.

“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.

“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.

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“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.

“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!

“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”

Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.

According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.

“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.

“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.

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