The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NAFDAC

  • Whither NAFDAC and SON?

    Whither NAFDAC and SON?

    • By Leah Nickaf

    Sir: It is worrisome that Nigerian markets are still flooded with uncertified, unregistered and harmful products, regularly used by teeming citizens. I am referring to skin-care products, foodstuffs, cosmetics and medicinal drugs, among others, which are not approved by regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, among others.

    The manufacturers or producers of these harmful products are not to be blamed. SON and NAFDAC, among others, should be sanctioned for compromising their oversight mandates. Their failure to ascertain the worthiness or otherwise of some products used by citizens is responsible for the sickness and deaths of many.

    In Nigeria, we feel the pain of rudderless and weak regulation in many areas. It appears that those who are given the duty to regulate even connive with relevant parties to cut corners. And whenever this occurs, society is short-changed and the people are left to live with the unpleasant consequences of such.

    Not too long ago, a cross section of Nigerian scientists raised the alarm on food processors and sellers in the country using toxic chemicals to improve the look of many food items, including cassava flour, beans and fish. The experts explained that with the practice, millions of people are subjected to the risk of experiencing kidney problems and cancer.

    According to them, weak government testing capacities and informal food supply chains leave traders and fishermen with little oversight and offer almost no protection to unwary consumers. It is pointless arguing that many of the toxic chemicals added as preservatives to the food we consume as citizens are not safe for human consumption.

    Although Nigeria lacks statistics on the health effects of these toxic preservatives in foods, there is an increase in diseases such as cancer, birth defects, kidney failure and diabetes in children. These diseases don’t just happen. It is a function of what an individual breathes in or eats.

    Read Also: TUC demands quick action on post subsidy removal palliatives for workers

    Toxic preservatives have cumulative effects on the body, even though they do not kill immediately they are taken. It is something that we need to take more seriously. It is something that is very scary. As humans, our body mass is large and the quantity that we eat is not massive, so we would not die immediately or know that these things are causing harm.

    By the time, the effect, kidney or liver problem or cancer, starts to show, maybe 10 or 15 years after, nobody will link it to what was eaten in the past. The use of antibiotics and other drugs in raising fish for the table is also a challenge to human health as it is building resistance in humans. 

    By the time, the fish is ready for the market, there is no time for the withdrawal period to ensure the effect of the drug given has waned. In developed countries, antibiotics are not licensed for raising fish for consumption. Drugs are only licensed for use in ornamental fish and that is not meant to be consumed.

    Again, Nigerians should be concerned about the public health of bleaching creams. There have been a number of reports raising concerns over the safety of cosmetic ingredients and the damages they cause on health. 

    The effects of cosmetics on public health depend on several indicators: kind and amount of chemical ingredients used in the formulation, time and frequency of cosmetics usage, personal skin condition, and environmental situation.

    A large amount of cosmetics and potentially harmful ingredients are used in hairdressing, skin care and nails services. These harmful chemical ingredients are regularly inhaled by beauty professionals, as well as cosmetics users.

    In the light of the above gloomy reality, one is forced to ask: what is SON doing, and what would have gone wrong at NAFDAC? In the era of Dora Akunyili, Nigerians for the first time saw how a regulatory agency pursued its activities, with a crusading spirit alien to the world of public service. 

    Nigerians also saw how the fear of NAFDAC in that era made fake drugs and food dealers’ tremble. For quite some time, this crusading flavour in NAFDAC’s activities has not been visible.

    Let those at the helm of affairs in our regulatory agencies sit up and not be laid back or see their domain as a rent post carved out for their selfish pursuit. It is not too late for both SON and NAFDAC to get their acts right. Nigerians cannot afford to be dying or battling with various diseases or ailments as a result of their recklessness. They should both sit up, and do the needful.

    •Leah Nickaf,

    Nasarawa State University,

    Keffi.

  • NAFDAC boss excited over boost in local production of pharmaceuticals

    NAFDAC boss excited over boost in local production of pharmaceuticals

    The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control [NAFDAC], Professor Mojisola Adeyeye has expressed satisfaction with the rising fortune of local production of pharmaceuticals in the country.

    Adeyeye, who spoke in Lagos, yesterday, said that local manufacturing of drugs has received a major boost in recent times despite the difficulty in accessing forex, devaluation of the Naira, and the attendant high inflation rate.

    While reacting to a report in one of the dailies, titled, ‘Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Import drop 63% in Two Years,’ she emphasised that “The publication provided largely accurate statistics related to reliance on finished drug importation (about 70% of drug consumption), importation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (100%), huge jump in prices of locally manufactured and imported drugs.”

    She however expressed reservations about the allusion to loss of revenue in the magnitude described in the report.

    Read Also: NAFDAC warns against use of crusader soap, other mercury-containing cosmetics

    “At the inception of the current NAFDAC administration in November 2017 the overarching goal was to formulate and implement policies aimed at enhancing and promoting local production of pharmaceuticals,” she stressed

    Pressed further, the NAFDAC boss said, “Some of these policies include the Five + Five (5+5) Policy or Regulatory Directive (RD). The 5+5 policy is aimed at migration of previously imported products (that can be manufactured locally) to local manufacturing after the last renewal of five years post the effective date of the RD, i.e., upon renewal of the previous five years before the RD date, the renewal for five years post the effective RD date is the last approval to import.

    “By the end of the third year of that last renewal, the importer/manufacturer must present to NAFDAC a plan to migrate to local manufacturing or partner with an existing local manufacturer through contract manufacturing. This expansionist intervention she noted is to reduce the importation of medicines that can be manufactured locally, while the third policy, the Policy on Establishment of new pharmaceutical plants in Nigeria enables companies to get their facility design right before commencing construction, all in a bid to eliminate potential for manufacture of SF medicines resulting from poorly designed manufacturing facilities.”  

  • NAFDAC warns against use of crusader soap, other mercury-containing cosmetics

    NAFDAC warns against use of crusader soap, other mercury-containing cosmetics

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against using Crusader soaps, and other cosmetics containing mercury, which are injurious to the body.

    The agency, while stating that it had banned the importation of Crusader soap, disclosed that it has arrested a syndicate that specializes in the importation of the product.

    It further stated that all soaps and detergents are under the Federal Government of Nigeria imports Prohibition List and are therefore banned from importation into the country.

    According to a statement by the Resident Media Consultant of NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, while addressing journalists in Lagos State, disclosed that the syndicate used forged customs documents to import the harmful product which causes several health hazards, including: damage to the skin, brain, kidney and the nervous system.

    She explained that further investigation by its investigation and enforcement (I&E) Directorate, through the Ports, showed that the banned Crusader soap was imported seven times in 2021 alone and each consignment is not less than 3 containers with four thousand, five hundred cartons of the soap. 

    Also, the products have found their way into various supermarkets and cosmetics shops with unsuspecting members of the public patronizing them.

    NAFDAC, therefore, advised Nigerians not buy crusader soaps and other imported soaps and detergents, including mercury containing cosmetics, and should ensure that such products are reported to its offices across the country.

    Read Also: Kano gov fires commissioner over death threat to guber tribunal judges

    It added that before purchasing any cosmetic product, Nigerians should look out for signs which might be strong indication of the presence of mercury in the product, including: Hg (the chemical symbol for mercury) – Mercuric iodide, mercuric chloride, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, calomel, mercurio, amide chloride of mercury, mercury oxide; instruction to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber, aluminum and jewelry; and cosmetics labeled in languages other than English without English interpretation, and not registered by NAFDAC.

    Prof. Adeyeye said, “Acting on intelligence, I&E Directorate in August 2023 busted a warehouse in the trade fair market, which was filled with banned imported soaps. Three (3) trailer-loads of imported crusader medicated soap and mekako soap totaling 4,000 cartons by 12 packs by 12 tablet soap were evacuated from the warehouse, while some suspects were arrested in connection with the case. The street value of the evacuated products is approximately one billion Naira.

    “It is to be noted that the successful busting of the warehouse came after three failed attempts, as the cartel using their own informants were continuously relocating the consignment of soap to different locations in Lagos to prevent the discovery of the products by the determined team of investigators from NAFDAC investigation and enforcement team.

    “During interrogation of the prime suspects, one Chief Peter Obih (alias Ogbuagu) claimed to have bought the franchise of the product from a company and presented an expired NAFDAC certificate that was issued for local manufacture of the product after the ban in Nigeria.

    “It is to be noted that not one bar of the soap has been manufactured in Nigeria since the purported registration in 2013. The suspect claims to have just secured a contract manufacturing agreement with a local manufacturer but they are yet to commence production.

    “The sample of the product was taken to our laboratory for analysis and was found to contain heavy metals identified as Mercury. The Crusader soap is falsely labeled, made in England to deceive Nigerians while the actual source is India.

    “This act is an outright violation of NAFDAC Acts and a contravention of the Agency’s regulations, including the cosmetic products (prohibition of bleaching agents) regulations 2019.

    “The arrested suspects will be charged to court while a manhunt is currently being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of this deadly syndicate.”

  • NAFDAC launches campaign against drug hawking, fruit ripening with carbide

    NAFDAC launches campaign against drug hawking, fruit ripening with carbide

    The National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged Nigerians to exercise caution when buying drugs from street vendors and to avoid buying fruits ripened with calcium carbide, saying it can pose health risks to them.

    The director general of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye stated this on Monday, September 4, in Lafia at the North Central Zone NAFDAC media sensitization workshop on dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with dalcium carbide in Nasarawa state organise for Association of Nigerian Health Journalists.

    The DG who was represented by Director Evaluation and Research, Dr Leonard Omokpariola said “these bulk items are openly displayed and measured to unassuming buyers with little or no care from contamination sold in illegal markets.

    Read Also: Companies without post market surveillance risk renewal of product—NAFDAC

    Adeyeye advised the public not to buy dangerous, non detailed packed items from the market to prevent the risk of taking contaminated, substandard, expired and adulterated food or food fraud with grave health implications.

    She explained further that many drug hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly of death who expose essential and life saving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather which degrade the active ingredients of the medicine and turn them to poisons thus endangering human lives.

    She said: “Most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-literate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirement of regulated medicine.”

    NAFDAC deputy director, Public Affairs Christianah Obiazikwor presented a paper on influence of Mass Media Campaign on health behavioral change.

  • Companies without post market surveillance risk renewal of product—NAFDAC

    Companies without post market surveillance risk renewal of product—NAFDAC

    Manufacturers of Food products and Drugs have been called to establish vibrant Post Marketing Surveillance [PMS] units and Post Marketing Pharmacovigilance departments [PMP] in their companies or lose the chance of renewing their products.

    The Director General of the National Agency Food Drug Administration and Control [NAFDAC] Prof. Christiana Adeyeye gave this warning, at the Agency’s Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate Stakeholder’s Engagement with food sector operators in Lagos, where she insisted also that “if a product doesn’t have NAFDAC number we can’t guarantee the safety.’’

    She recalled that the Agency had years ago made both PMS and PMP mandatory for companies but lamented that compliance has been poor.

    “However henceforth, if a company does not have PMS/PMP the product will not be renewed because manufacturers need to show more concern about their products in the market by establishing post marketing surveillance units.”

    A statement issued by the Agency’s resident media consultant, Sayo   Akintola quoted the DG as saying “we have asked companies to establish PMS/PMP departments where they send people out to the market to see what is happening to their products.  Once you get an inkling of somebody adulterating your product, you call us because you do not have power to go with the police.

    Read Also:NAFDAC okays varsity’s herbal medicine for diabetesol

    “We have the power to go and raid. That is why we need collaboration because we must change our industrial practice. Once you tell us, I assure you we will be there in hours in terms of mopping it up and getting the suspect arrested and prosecuted.”

    She also warned food manufacturing companies that the Agency will no longer tolerate poorly destroyed expired or stolen products sneaking into the market through scavengers at waste dump sites, thereby endangering lives of innocent consumers, particularly, children.

    Unequivocally condemning the habit of patronising unbranded cereals in the open market, Prof. Adeyeye warned that when a product is not certified by NAFDAC it is not advised that anybody should consume it, adding that the unbranded products in the market, do not have NAFDAC registration/marketing authorisation number.

    “We cannot speak of the safety of unbranded food in the open market. We do not know where they have come from. We don’t know anything about the expiry date. We cannot trace them,” she said.

    In 2021 and 2022, she recalled that the Agency carried out a lot of investigation and enforcement activities on unbranded cereals leading to the arrest of some people.

    Delving into the psychology of the consumption pattern of the risky products, the DG disclosed that in the course of investigation it was discovered that the people would prefer to buy the unbranded ones despite the inherent dangers associated with it because it comes cheaper.

    ‘’We considered the circumstances and the packaging, we found out that even some smaller packages, the smallest packages of cereals were also removed from the packaging materials and also sold in bulk. They add them together and sell them online, in the open markets and along the roads.

    On the issue of the source of the cereals, the NAFDAC boss argued that some industries are also complicit in this. She said ‘’we found out that some of the cereals were picked up from dump sites in Agbara.”

    She said that investigations by the Agency revealed that the products were disposed of through Ogun State Waste Management Authority, adding that the disposal methods of companies are also an issue. ‘’If you want to dispose of some bad or expired products, you are supposed to destroy it by NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, not by the company directly through waste disposal authorities. It will always get to scavengers who will sell it back to the market.”

    According to her, further investigations revealed that most of the products were stolen from company warehouses ‘’because we found out that not all the products had expired. “Some of them were in company’s packaging materials when diverted to sell in retail prices online and in the marketplaces.’’

    Last year the Agency uncovered two warehouses at Trade Fair Complex, Lagos loaded with N3 billion worth of counterfeit drugs and children’s cereals picked from dump sites.

    ‘’We also must sensitise the industry because if there are compromises in the industry it could lead to serious dangers to our health’’, she said, stressing that ‘’If the SOP in the industry says go and dump it in a dump site, the industry is at fault also’’.

    Nestle Nigeria Plc, Quaker Oat, Flour Mills, Coca Cola, Guinness, Oriental Foods, OK Foods, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Cadbury Nigeria Ltd, CHI Ltd, UAC and NB Plc are some of the over 50 food manufacturing companies at the forum.

  • NAFDAC okays varsity’s herbal medicine for diabetesol

    NAFDAC okays varsity’s herbal medicine for diabetesol

    • AAU’s HOD makes breakthrough in cure for diabetes

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has certified the use of GLUCOZIL for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GLUCOZIL, a herbal drug, is produced by Edo State government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU) at Ekpoma.

    NAFDAC’s approval of the drug for public use was announced in a statement by AAU’s Head of Corporate Communication in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Otunba Mike Aladenika, which was made available to NAN yesterday in Benin, the state capital.

    “Its bid to reclaim its enviable position among the comity of institutions, grounded in research and higher learning, has received the approval of NAFDAC, as well as the rights of production and patents of GLUCOZIL,” he statement said.

    Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Sub-Dean in Basic Clinical Sciences at the university’s College of Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Emeka Emordi, who produced the drug, said: “GLUCOZIL is a natural product that is prepared for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

    Read Also: I’m under pressure over Niger junta, says Tinubu

    “GLUCOZIL as a natural product manufactured to cause a regeneration of the better cells that have been destroyed.

    “If the product is used for a very long period, it will not only manage diabetes but cure it completely.”

    According to him, GLUCOZIL, which can be used for the management, treatment and cure of diabetes, has bonus clinical indications for the treatment of BPH, commonly called enlarged prostate.

    “In my analysis of the product, it was discovered that it has the capacity to shrink the prostate so that surgical operations can be avoided.

    “The product is scientifically tested, right dose confirmed, safety proven in both humans and animals.

    “It is also capable of flushing the human system. Simply put, it is a detoxifier. It has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which makes it an immune booster,” he said.

    Praising Emordi, AAU’s acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Sonnie Adagbonyin, said the management was happy with the feat achieved at the College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology.

    “We are proud of the ranking of our scholars who are determined to excel and do us proud, despite the various human and environmental challenges.

    “Management is proud of Dr. Emordi, and I enjoin other scholars to see his achievement as motivation for them to break new grounds, open new frontiers of knowledge and innovation for the further progress of this university,” he said.

  • Eva is safe for consumption – NAFDAC

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), a regulatory agency responsible for regulating and controlling importation, manufacture and use of food, drugs and packaged water in Nigeria, has said that Eva Water produced and bottled by Nigerian Bottling Company Limited is safe for consumption, assuring consumers and the general public of the product’s safety.

    This is contained in a press statement issued by the agency which was titled “Update on the two lots of Eva Water” and signed by its Director General (DG), Professor, Mojisola Adeyeye, in Abuja on July 9, 2019.

    Adeyeye noted that the assurance became necessary in the wake of recent development regarding the recall of two batches of Eva Water (75cl packed size) produced in one of NBC’s ultra-modern factories, Asejire Plant, in Ibadan.

    “Following discovery of a default in two lots of Eva bottle water (75cl pack size) produced between 22nd and 23rd May 2019 at the NBC ultra-modern factory at Asejire in Ibadan, the company immediately initiated a recall of the affected lots and voluntarily notified NAFDAC as is expected of every responsible quality-driven organisation with high priority for food safety and safety of its consumers,” she stated.

    The DG further stated that there was no reason for the general public and consumers to panic as laboratory reports obtained from the analysis conducted on all products including Eva Water manufactured in the plant do not indicate any health threat.

    “It is important to highlight that there is no cause for alarm, as the laboratory reports did not indicate any health threat; the recall was purely precautionary and it is standard food safety practice all over the world,” she added.

    Read Also: NAFDAC: Eva water safe for drinking

    Adeyeye therefore commended the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited for demonstrating a high sense of responsibility by willingly reporting the issue and initiating a recall process. She urged other companies to emulate the exemplary attitude displayed by NBC noting that by this action, this has shown that the company places much premium on the safety of consumer.

    “It is reassuring to note that the Nigerian Bottling Company demonstrated a high sense of responsibility in voluntarily reporting the problem and in the recall process. NAFDAC urges all companies and stakeholders to think of the customers’ safety first just like what NBC has done in this case. This is exemplary and should be emulated by all manufacturers,” she stated.

    She further expressed satisfaction with the corrective and preventive actions that have been put in place by the company to guarantee the quality and safety of Eva Water and all Coca-Cola products registered by the agency.

    Many consumers also applauded NBC for taking the steps to initiate the recall and inform NAFDAC immediately they noticed the issues. “Such a company is very difficult to come across now. I commend NBC for their transparency and high standards,” said a nutritionist with the University Teaching Hospital, Ozalla Enugu, Nneka Udokwu.

    “Kuduos to NBC for its commitment to quality standards and nice one too from NAFDAC for attesting to safety of Eva water,” tweeted Adewombi Daniel on NAFDAC platform.

     

     

  • NAFDAC: Eva water safe for drinking

    Following a default crisis that led to the recall of its two batches of 75cl, Eva premium table water has been certified safe for consumption by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This seal of assurance came in the wake of an investigation by the agency into the products of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), makers of Eva water and a range of soft drinks. NAFDAC said it had deployed its entire regulatory arsenal into the investigation before concluding that there is no cause for alarm, assuring the Nigerian public of the safety of Eva water.

    In a statement signed by the Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, it was claimed that a thorough investigation, which was supported with laboratory analysis, proved the safety of the bottled water. “Following discovery of a default in two lots of Eva bottled water (75cl pack size) produced between May 22 and 23, 2019 at the NBC ultra-modern factory at Asejire in Ibadan, the company immediately initiated a recall of the affected lots and voluntarily notified NAFDAC as is expected of every responsible quality-driven organisation with high priority for Food Safety and safety of its consumers.

    “After a thorough investigation of the company’s processes supported with detailed laboratory analysis of the water and all other products produced at the factory, NAFDAC is satisfied that adequate corrective and preventive actions are in place to guarantee the quality and safety of Eva water and indeed all Coca Cola products that are registered by NAFDAC. It is important to highlight that there is no cause for alarm, as the laboratory reports did not indicate any health threat; the recall was purely precautionary and it is standard food safety practice all over the world,” Adeyeye said.

    It would be recalled that the agency had directed the NBC to recall some batches of Eva water due to public complaints last month. At the time of the directive, NAFDAC said the decision to recall one of Nigeria’s most popular brands of bottled water was merely a result of precautionary step. According to NAFDAC, NBC had voluntarily reported on June 20 that the colour of the product changed from colourless to light green and there was presence of particles in two lots. The NBC has, however, assured all consumers of all its products, stressing that quality and safety remain the guiding philosophy of its product design and output.

    In June, the NBC admitted that it had moved to protect public safety by voluntarily notifying NAFDAC of the discovery that some batches of Eva water did not meet its production requirements. “As noted in the alert, on June 20, 2019 NBC voluntarily notified NAFDAC of two batches of Eva Water (75cl) produced from May 22 to 23, 2019 in our Asejire Plant (one of our eight manufacturing plants across the country), which did not meet our quality standards.

    “We had commenced the withdrawal of the affected batches, which are 220519.14.27 AC4 and 230519.15.15 AC4 (these numbers can be found around the neck of the bottle), before the NAFDAC announcement and are cooperating with the agency in its investigation. We regret the inconvenience this issue may have caused our consumers, and we request consumers in possession of products with the stated batch numbers to return them to our nearest offices or distributors/dealers for replacement,” the company said.

    The NBC, however, assured consumers that there were no issues with other batches of Eva Water or any other products from its stable. “We confirm that other batches of our premium Eva Water are safe to drink and reassure our consumers of our commitment to the highest quality standards, product safety and consumer,” it said.

  • NAFDAC advises Nigerians against e-cigarettes

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians on the dangers of e-cigarettes.

    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, in a statement on Thursday, said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed that there were risks involved with the use of e-cigarettes.

    She advised Nigerians who used it to desist, adding that users of the product stood the risk of having convulsion.

    “NAFDAC has been informed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the risks involved with the use of e-cigarette.

    “Most users of e-cigarettes have experienced seizures, with most reports involving youth or young adult users.

    “Seizures or convulsions are known potential side effects of nicotine toxicity and have been reported in the scientific literature in relation to intentional or accidental swallowing of e-liquid,’’ she said.

    She also advised healthcare providers to investigate the use of e-cigarette by their patients, especially those with seizure.

    “Ask patients about e-cigarette use (e.g. vaping), particularly when providing care following a seizure, ask for the particulars of the brand, duration and nature of the use.

    “Consider testing cotinine levels, a nicotine metabolite, in addition to the typical urine toxicology screening tests.

    “Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the nearest NAFDAC office,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC, FIIRO DGs for Halal certification seminar

    The Halal Certification Authority (HCA), in collaboration with Halal Compliance and Food Safety Limited ( HacFos) is organising the First International Halal Seminar.

    The event will hold on tomorrow at the Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi, (FIIRO) Lagos.

    A statement by HCA Chairman Dr Ibrahim Oreagba said the event will bring together, Heads of Government agencies, academia and captains of industries to explore and deliberate on the Halal Industry in Nigeria and global best practices.

    “With the ever-growing demand for certified Halal consumer products, there is a dire need for manufacturers to get their products certified in addition to following the quality standards. This is why we deem it fit to hold the international seminar.

    The theme of the seminar, Oreagba said, is Halal and Industry Compliance in Nigeria.

    Oreagba, an Associate Professor said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General Prof Moji Adeyeye, her FIIRO counterpart Prof Gloria Nwakhaego Elemo and Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Mr Osita Aboloma will lead eminent personalities from within and outside Nigeria including Malaysia, China and Senegal to the event.