By Maureen Okon
Lagos:. Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General (DG), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said on Tuesday night, that “Without Quality Trade, the Pakistan-Africa Trade Development will be short lived”.
Adeyeye said this at the dinner event of the 2nd Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference, a three-day event scheduled from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25 in Lagos.
The DG noted that ”it’s been a wonderful time of exchange of culture and most of us could feel the music and the dance which are universal, it is only the language that is left out of these three events of culture .
“So, this is an important event for Nigeria and Pakistan. When you talk of trade, you also talk of quality that is where the regulatory agencies come in. Without quality, trade will be short lived.
“What we did in NAFDAC is to create an office of trade and international relations because we do not want to leave trade out of our regulations.
“Regulatory agencies are supposed to be universal in terms of what they expect from their clients or stakeholders like you. The mandate of NAFDAC is to control and regulate importation, exportation, manufacture, and distribution.
“Other are advertisements, sales and use of seven regulated products that include drugs, medical devices, diagnostic, vaccines, foods, cosmetics, chemicals, packaged water and beverages,” Adeyeye said.
She also said that the Nigerian Government could relate to the importance of exchange of culture and regulatory ideas, adding that, in terms of what NAFDAC does, they welcome trade, investors and they have created room for partnership in terms of pharmaceuticals and foods.
According to her, “we have improved our regulatory control over the last four years, and the WHO is recognising us for that because without strong regulatory Agency there cannot be good trade.
“So all our Pakistani friends that are here you are most welcome, and in fact is a reciprocity of culture as our minister said this morning and this is part of what we have to watch tonight, understanding each other and that will foster trade.
She appreciated the Pakistani Minister of Commerce and Investment for the organisation of the event and assured of her readiness and free access to encourage collaboration between both countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the dinner event was the cultural troops from Nigeria and Pakistan, who performed and kept the guests entertained for the rest of the evening.
The cultural dancers were from the South West (Yoruba), South South (Edo), northern Nigeria (Hausa), Benue, South East (Igbo) and Akwa Ibom. Each troop sang their indigenous cultural heritage songs.
The dancers performed to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage which made the guest to be glued and excited for the performance.
Then a three-man troop from Pakistani performed their cultural song and dance, lead by Akhtar Channar. Although most guests did not understand the lyrics of the song, they were carried away by the rhythm and dance.
NAN also reports that 100 pulse companies are participating from 11 pulse sectors, namely: pharmaceutical, paints and chemicals, Surgical instruments, beauty and cosmetics, leather products and accessories.
Others are: kitchen wares, food and beverages, automotive and agricultural machinery, electrical appliances, and information technology.
NAN reports that at the end of the dinner, some of the dignitaries were recognised for their outstanding performance and contribution to the outcome of the 2nd Pak-Africa Conference. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews
