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Tag: NAFDAC

  • NAFDAC confiscates expired food products in Sokoto

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated and destroyed assorted contaminated food products in Sokoto State in February.

    A statement issued by Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency on Thursday in Abuja, said the contaminated foods and beverages were discovered in some markets in Sokoto following surveillance.

    READ ALSO: Drug Abuse: No new registration for alcohol in sachets – NAFDAC

    “During the month of February, 1374 cartons of expired Cherie Instant Noodle worth 1.7 million were forfeited to the office; they were dubiously supplied to the marketer in Sokoto Old Market.

    “In same month, 64 crates of assorted expired soft drinks worth N70, 400 were also confiscated from a sales outlet.

    “Upon surveillance to some yogurt depots in Sokoto, 90 bottles of registered yogurt without label worth N27, 000 were confiscated and out-rightly destroyed,” she said.

    Adeyeye assured that NAFDAC would continue to take proactive steps to ensure that Nigerians do not consume foods and drugs that were injurious to their health.

  • NAFDAC re-arraigns producer of fake wines, spirits

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, re-arraigned a businessman, Benjamin Ojukwu, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged production of fake wines and gins.

    The defendant, whose store is said to be situated in Mushin, Lagos, was according to NAFDAC, arrested on April 3, 2018.

    In the six count charge marked FHC/L/111c/18, the defendant is accused of unlawful production of the fake wines, warehousing, distribution and unlawful possession of the same products

    “He was first arraigned before Justice Hadiza Shagari, on June 6, 2018, and was admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million with sureties in like sum.

    Read Also: Election: INEC replaces erring ad hoc staff in Borno

    He was, however, re-arraigned on Wednesday, before a new judge, Justice I. N. Oweibo, following the transfer of Shagari.

    The charge was then read to the defendant after the prosecutor, Mr Nnamdi Obi had informed the court of the position.

    The defendant also pleaded not guilty to the charges and the new judge allowed him to continue with the earlier bail granted.

    The court adjourned the case until May 9, for the commencement of trial.

    According to the charge, some of the fake wines and spirits retrieved from the defendant’s stores include: Ciroc Vodka, Gordon’s, Sky Vodka, Best Whisky, Grap Atros, Gin Mc Dry Gin, Best Dry Gin (Sachets), Grant’s, 8Pm Whisky, amongst others.

    The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Proceed Foods (miscellaneous provision) Act Cap. C34 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

     

  • NAFDAC: ban on methyl bromide stays

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the public, especially agro dealers, that the ban on methyl bromide as a fumigant for pest control still subsists.

    Methyl bromide is colourless, odourless, non-corrosive and non-flammable, but highly toxic to a broad spectrum of insects from egg to the adult stage. It is used as a fumigant in stored product pest management.
    NAFDAC, in a statement by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said methyl bromide is a class I ozone, which depletes substance (ODS). It depletes the ozone layer due to the release of bromine atom upon the break down of the molecule. Methyl bromide is also a scheduled chemical under the Montreal protocol for substances that deplete the ozone layer and was placed on a phase-out procedure from 2001. Nigeria effected the phase-out of methyl bromide by January 2015 and since then, the product has not been permitted for importation, NADFAC warned.

    “Methyl bromide is an extremely toxic vapour. In humans, methyl bromide is readily absorbed through the lungs. Most problems occur as a result of inhalation. Methyl bromide is a dangerous cumulative poison. First symptoms often are due to damage to the nervous system, and may be delayed from 48 hours to, as long as several months after exposure. This delay, combined with methyl bromide’s lack of odour, means that the victim may not realise that exposure is occurring until much time has passed,” NAFDAC said.

    The drug control agency however said it has information that some unscrupulous individuals have been importing methyl bromide illegally for use as pesticide in Nigeria, adding it will continue to carry out surveillance to identify such illegal importers with a view to sanctioning them severely in line with extant laws on drug control.

    “Farmers, exporters of agricultural produce and agro-input dealers are hereby advised to desist from using methyl bromide as a pesticide. Safer alternatives are available. Contact nearest NAFDAC office for advice on safer alternatives. Anybody in possession of methyl bromide should submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement said.

  • Police intercept two trucks of illicit drugs in Kano

    …arrest 1200 political thugs

     

    Determined to curb drug abuse and thuggery ahead of the general elections, police in Kano on Thursday intercepted two-truck-load of tramadol and other illicit drugs, while over 1200 suspected political thugs have also been arrested.

    According to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wakili Mohammed who briefed reporters at the Police headquarters on Thursday, “the Command had carried out series of raids at black spots and criminal hideouts and arrested several suspected armed robbers, thugs, dealers of hard drugs and recovered large quantity of intoxicants, a pistol and other dangerous locally made weapons.”

    Wakili further stated that, “an Iveco truck with registration No. FGE 522 XA fully loaded with counterfeit substandard and hard drugs was intercepted along Murtala Mohammed Way, Kano.

    Read Also: Kano poll: Why Ganduje will win

    “Some of the counterfeit drugs recovered without NAFDAC registration numbers include five cartons of liquid glucose, one carton of Diabetes control tea, 128 cartons of cold caplets, 10 fake topping sauce, 10 buckets of Margarine, one carton of Supreme flour, 31 bags of Devataa flour, 24 bags of Augmentin tablets, two bags of Amplicox capsules, packages of anti-Malaria seals, 50 cartons of cool refrigerants, 50 jerricans and six drums of hydro chloride acid among others.”

    CP Wakili added that, “a suspect, Ibrahim Datti, 45, of Rimaye Village, Ungogo LGA was arrested with six drums of Methylene Choloride (suck and die) valued at N558, 000 while enroute to distribution point. Investigations is in progress to arrest all his accomplice.

    “A syndicate of suspected armed robbers that are constantly striking and dispossessing residents of Sheka, Zoo Road, Tudun Maliki, Tukuntawa and Maidile quarters, Kano, was busted.”

    He also stated that, “a syndicate of suspected car thieves that snatched a Toyota Hilux vehicle was busted. The suspects, Ibrahim Bashir and Yahuza Bilyaminu all of Ladanai quarters Kano we’re arrested with the said vehicle.”

  • NAFDAC calls for inter-agency cooperation to curb drug abuse

    The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for cooperation among relevant agencies for effective control of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General (DG), NAFDAC, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye said that such cooperation would go a long way towards effectively tackling the different aspects of drug abuse among youths.

    “It is important for relevant agencies to work together to effectively tackle the problem of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

    “There is a little boundary, for instance, between what the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) does and what NAFDAC does, and we work together.

    “There are some drugs that can be used licitly and can equally be used illicitly.

    “We are concerned with the licit use of such drugs while the NDLEA is concerned with the illicit use.

    Read Also: NAFDAC seizes N60m fake drugs

    “A drug like codeine is an expectorant medically, but when people consume more than the prescribed dosage, it becomes illicit.

    “For tramadol, its medical usage is at the rate of 50 to 100 milligrams, but the one they bring into the country is about 500 milligrams, which can fry anybody’s brain,” she said.

    The NAFDAC DG likened the menace of drug abuse to a war, which could affect generations of people.

    He, therefore, called for the cooperation of citizens in the fight against drug abuse.

    “Drug abuse among our youths is almost like a war, which could wipe out three generations if we are not careful.

    “While government is doing its bit to regulate and check importation of illicit drugs into the country, parents should also do their bit to control their children and wards from picking up such bad habits,” she advised.

    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC was also working with authorities in neighbouring countries like Benin Republic and Cameroon to check the importation of illicit and substandard drugs through their borders into Nigeria.

    She also suggested stiffer penalties against people who produced or imported fake and substandard food and drugs.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC warns against use of chemicals to bleach skin

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has advised Nigerians against the use of bleaching or “whitening” chemicals because they could result to cancer and kidney malfunction.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said her advice became necessary against the backdrop of the seizure of large quantity of whitening chemicals recently seized by NAFDAC in Lagos.

    “There are many people involved in these whitening chemicals, from glutathione injection to the tablets and other such chemicals.

    “ Sometimes last week, we got information that there were some people involved in these products at the Trade fair complex in Lagos and our Investigation and Enforcement team moved in and confiscated four trucks of glutathione.

    “We are concerned about glutathione because it can cause skin cancer as well as kidney dysfunction and failure; this is what people do not know.

    “ People should stop bleaching their skin; we should be black and proud. NAFDAC is on the spot to ensure that these dangerous products, which come in illegally are seized and destroyed,” she said.

    The NAFDAC boss, however, advised Nigerians dealing in genuine foods and chemical products to ensure that their products get tested and registered with the agency for safe consumption.

    “If importers know that their products are safe for consumption, they should always ensure to put them through our normal registration process and not pass through `shortcuts.’

    Read Also: NAFDAC blames high drug abuse on its removal from port

    “ We understand that not all unregistered products are bad, but Nigerians should always present their products for scrutiny. Some people just do not want scrutiny.”

    She called for interagency cooperation as well as synergy as effective means of stopping importation of illicit drugs to Nigeria.

    “Multi-agency cooperation and synergy will also go a long way toward addressing the issue of importation of some of these chemicals into Nigeria. Most of these chemicals come in from China.

    “I was in China recently and I have started mounting pressure on them to change their laws which allow them export products that are banned in their country to a place like Nigeria.

    “The Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministries, as well as other relevant government agencies can also make strong impact in that direction.”

  • SON destroys N8.4m fake goods in Kano

    Standards Organization Of Nigeria ( SON ) has destroyed fake and substandard goods worth over N8.4m in Kano.

    The substandard items which were confiscated towards the end of 2018 from markets across the state include 83 bags of 25 kg rice, 275 bags of Mosquito coils, I90 cartons of shaving sticks, NOCACO Cables, 6 bags of fertilizer, 146 trays of brake fluid and 7 bales of empty sacks of rice.

    SON Northwest Regional Coordinator, Alhaji Adamu Abba who represented the Director General Anthony Aboloma at the destruction of the items, revealed that the goods were impounded, following a tip-off from the markets, in collaboration with sister agencies and effort of the organisational staff.

    He said SON does not derive pleasure in destroying inferior items considering the economic waste and associated with the environmental pollution from the burning of the goods.

    Read Also: FRSC recruits 4,650 personnel, begins training nationwide

    According to him, there is need for manufacturers and distributors of such items to know how committed the organisation is in protecting the rights and safety of consumers from being shortchanged.

    “We need to ensure that in line with our mandate, we do not spear anybody involved in production and distribution of such goods.”

    Also speaking the Kano –Jigawa Coordinator of SON, Alhaji Yunusa B. Muhammad said all necessary procedure were followed before burning the fake items such as securing a court order that gave the body the rights to conduct the burning of the goods.

    The destruction exercise were witnessed by Police, customs, NAFDAC, DSS, NESREA, CIVIL DEFENCE, and Kano consumer protection council.

  • NAFDAC seizes N60m fake drugs

    The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated fake drugs worth N60millon from a warehouse in Lagos.

    A statement yesterday by NAFDAC’s Director-General Prof. Moji Adeyeye said NAFDAC operatives and the police seized the drugs from a supermarket and warehouse at the Trade Fair complex, Lagos.

    “The warehouse was raided for possession, storage, importation, sales and distribution of dangerous and unregistered cosmetics.

    “Found in the store were Glutathione Injection, Herbal Skin Doctor Collagen Ampoules, Lansexin in vial bottles, Kojic-San Injection Face Cream, B.F.G.F Collagen Polypeptide in vial bottles, among others.”

    Read also: NAFDAC to Nigerians: Stop contaminates food with chemical

    She alleged that the products were imported from China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Dubai.

    “Five trucks of about 56 assorted unregistered cosmetic products, worth over N60 million were evacuated from the warehouse.

    “The Glutathione injections and skin whitening pills are harmful and have several adverse effects, including Stevens Johnson Syndrome, skin cancer/melanoma, kidney dysfunctions and failure, as well as its adverse effect on the liver,” Adeyeye said.

  • Obaseki okays multipurpose production centres in Edo

    In a concerted effort to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state for increased productivity, the Edo State Government through its skills development platform, EdoJobs, with development partners, are set for the launch of the Edo Production Centre, a multipurpose, one-stop-shop for small businesses.

    The centre is the brainchild of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and will be managed in partnership with the Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE) II programme, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, the United States of America.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that a number of production centres are going to be sited in the three senatorial districts of the state, noting that the pilot centre is situated in Benin City.

    She added that a stakeholders’ meeting has been schedule for January 7, after which different small and medium business owners will be allowed into the centre, which is equipped with 24 hours electricity and other support structures to make them more productive.

    Small businesses expected to be hosted at the centre include welding and fabrication, recycling and waste management, polythene makers, printing press, clothing factories, bakeries and confectionaries, packaging companies, among others. The center is fitted with factory space, security and office space.

    She said there will be live-in desks for relevant government agencies to engage, support and provide services to small businesses at the centre, noting that the agencies to be hosted are the Bank of Industry (BoI), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), among others.

    According to her, “The Edo Production Centre is a space where small manufacturing and production businesses can take advantage of constant power supply, advanced training facilities and a space to do their business.

    “We realized that typical skills acquisition programmes need to be revamped to create lasting impact and provide viable paths to prosperity for youths. So, skills acquisition in Edo is currently delivered alongside entrepreneurship and business management, start-up acceleration, digital marketing and branding programmes.”

    She said the project will be made up of a shared workspace for artisans and an efficient delivery and logistics ecosystem, and users will be able to enjoy power and water supply, internet services, warehousing, a shared online portal to improve access to market and in some cases shared equipment.

    “Artisan groups to benefit from the project include welders, furniture makers, tailors, aluminium fabricators, shoe manufacturers, wood processors and so on,” she added.

     

     

  • Don’t criminalise drug addicts- Aisha Buhari

    Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, ‎on Thursday said the society should not criminalise those addicted to hard drugs.

    She made the remark at the Official flag-off of Youth Against Drug Abuse (YADA) Campaign in Kano state, organized by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Collaboration with Young Pharmacists Group(YPG) at the Government House Kano.

    According to her, rather than isolating and discriminating, the society should look beyond the problem and begin to look at the main cause of the problem and address them for a lasting solution.

    Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Buhari decried the prevalence of drug abuse among youths.

    She said that drug abuse has prevented persons suffering from injuries and other illnesses to have access to drug such as tramadol and other strong pain killers as they have been banned by the government.

    “As a result of drug influence, the lives of many youths have been destroyed as they engage in all sort of heinous crimes which has led to their incarceration.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari to Nigerian women: Vote Buhari again

    “It must be understood that whatever crime someone under the influence of drugs commits is influenced by the drug.

    “I want to commend the efforts of all government agencies in the fight against drug abuse in the country and that such efforts has led to the arrest and confiscation of 86 containers containing prohibited drugs,” she said.

    Earlier, Gov.  Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, advised youths to shun all forms of drug abuse and engage in productive activities that would contribute to the growth of the state and nation at large.

    He said that his government was committed to transforming the lives of persons engaged in drug abuse to better persons as the Kano Reformatory Home was currently under renovation where patients would be rehabilitated and acquire vocational skills.

    In a remark, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said about 70 per cent of youths essentially, young boys, abuse illicit drugs in Kano.

    Adeyeye who said that recent survey conducted revealed that prescription drugs abuse was fast-emerging a public health challenge especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.

    She regretted that young girls and women of childbearing age in Kano were not left out of the endemic nature of the hard drugs in the state which she claimed many users considered to overcome their frustration.