Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • OmoBarca Marks Birthday with Message of Hope to Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituents

    Flowerbud News/ Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency came alive on Monday as Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, fondly known as *OmoBarca*, marked another year of life with a heartfelt message of gratitude, reflection, and encouragement to his family, friends, followers, and constituents.

    In his statement, Hon. Chima, a renowned philanthropist and political leader in Lagos, used the occasion of his birthday not just for personal celebration but as an opportunity to connect with his people and share a message of resilience in the face of the nation’s current challenges.

    “As I mark another year of life today, I pause to reflect not only on my personal journey but on the journey of all of us; my family, friends, followers, and especially the resilient people of Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency,” he said.

    Acknowledging the hardships faced by many Nigerians, OmoBarca noted that the difficulties are deeply felt across communities. However, he urged his constituents not to lose faith, stressing that hope, unity, and perseverance remain the key ingredients to overcoming adversity.

    “We know these times are challenging. The hardships facing our nation and communities are real and deeply felt by every one of us. Yet, even in the midst of struggle, I want to remind us all not to lose faith. Our strength lies in our unity, our perseverance, and our unwavering hope for a better tomorrow,” he emphasized.

    Looking ahead, the philanthropist expressed optimism that the dawn of a brighter future is near. He reassured the people of Ajeromi Ifelodun that with patience, collective resolve, and hard work, today’s struggles will eventually lay the groundwork for prosperity and development.

    “The dawn of a brighter future is on the horizon. With patience, hard work, and collective resolve, the difficulties we face today will become the foundation for the progress and prosperity we all deserve,” he said.

    Beyond his political aspirations, OmoBarca has built a reputation for community support, youth empowerment, and social interventions. His message on his birthday reinforced his commitment to the welfare of his people and his belief in the power of togetherness.

    “To my dear family, friends, followers, and the wonderful people of Ajeromi Ifelodun, may this new year of my life be a reminder that hope is alive, and together, we can overcome,” he declared, before signing off with words of encouragement: “Stay strong. Stay hopeful. Our future awaits.”

    The celebratory mood was amplified by goodwill messages from friends, political allies, and constituents, many of whom took to social media platforms to shower him with prayers and warm wishes. They described Hon. Chima as a man of the people whose generosity and unwavering commitment to the progress of Ajeromi Ifelodun have endeared him to many.

    As OmoBarca adds another year, his message resonates beyond his immediate constituency, reminding Nigerians that in unity and perseverance lies the hope of a stronger and better nation.

  • Appointment of Alhassan, NMCN Registrar, excites Niger Govt.

    Appointment of Alhassan, NMCN Registrar, excites Niger Govt.

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, has hailed the appointment of Dr Ndagi Alhassan as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

    Umaru-Bago, who expressed the gratitude of the state, noted that the appointment marked the second time an indigene of the state would hold the prestigious national position.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor spoke at a civic reception organised in honour of the appointee on Saturday in Minna.

    The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Mamagi, described the development as a significant milestone, assuring that the state remained committed to supporting the new registrar in every possible way.

    “Whatever kind of support he expects, we are ready to provide, be it moral, financial, or otherwise. We are fully behind him,” Bago assured.

    On efforts to strengthen the health sector and the nursing profession in the state, the governor said his administration had granted permanent appointments to casual health workers and placed them on the approved state minimum wage of ₦80,000.

    He reaffirmed government commitment to regulating schools of health to ensure high standards in training health professionals, adding that a task force, comprising the Ministries of Health, Tertiary Education, Basic and Secondary Education, and the Internal Revenue Service “is actively monitoring health institutions across the state.”

    Umar-Bago emphasised his administration’s dedication to supporting the younger generation by ensuring that schools of health and nursing in the state maintain the highest level of professionalism, thereby contributing to the broader improvement of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Registrar of the council, who is also the Sokoto State Commissioner for health, Dr Faruk Umar-Abubakar, said the task of regulating the profession was very difficult, but expressed optimism that his successor with the support of all stakeholders would succeed.

    He described the relationship between the council and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives as cordial, saying that the presence of the national president of the association and representatives of the 36 states and FCT, was a testament to the cordial relationship.

    Umar-Abubakar appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, for allowing continuity of leadership succession within the council, assuring that the appointee “is qualified and fit for the position, though, leadership of the profession is difficult in the country.”

    In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Bello Tukur, observed that there would be no healthcare system without the nurses and promised to continue to improve on the welfare of the nurses.

    He said the Bago-led administration was poised on providing quality healthcare services and other sectors development, adding that detractors would not be allowed to draw them back.

    The National President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Mr Haruna Mamman, showered encomium on the new registrar, pledging the support of the association to facilitate his success.

    In his keynote address, the Guest Speaker and Pro-Chancellor, Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, described the nursing profession as one of the most acclaimed and sort for globally, while urging the new registrar to expand the scope of the profession in the country.

    NAN reports that the Guest Speaker, who spoke on the theme: ‘Leadership, Healthcare and Future of Nigeria’s Youth’, said: “Sustainable development is rooted in the quality of leadership we nature today.

    “These leaders exemplify service-driven leadership, vision and measurable impact.”

    He also recommended for policy reform to strengthen enforcement of ethical and professional standards in nursing and midwifery, investment in health education, and youths inclusivity in policy making for health.

    Kuta-Yahaya observed that true leadership transcend titles, saying: “With collaboration among stakeholders, we can together build a Nigeria where quality healthcare, education, and opportunity are rights, not privileges.”

    He, however, commended Gov. Umaru-Bago for his laudable transformation projects, adding that the state had made a remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, youth development, public health and governance.

    Responding, the appointee, who described his appointment as a rare privilege and a call to greater responsibility, pledged his unwavering dedication to advancing nursing and midwifery practice in the country.

    Alhassan expressed profound gratitude to Tinubu and Pate for the confidence reposed in him.

    “I am well aware of the responsibilities that come with this great position, and I pledge to discharge my duties with diligence, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the growth and professional excellence of nursing and midwifery in Nigeria,” he affirmed.

    Alhassan acknowledged the support of his professional mentors, colleagues, and the nursing community nationwide, stressing that the recognition was not just personal but a reflection of collective progress in the health sector.

    The new registrar also expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and renewed his determination to strengthen nursing and midwifery education, regulation, and practice in Nigeria for improved healthcare delivery.

  • Stop pontificating on Tinubu’s economic policies, TMSG tackles Falana

    Stop pontificating on Tinubu’s economic policies, TMSG tackles Falana

    Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has cautioned human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, against commenting on matters he knows little about, saying he erred in his recent assessment of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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    ‎The senior advocate had, in a recent appearance on a TV programme, claimed that President Tinubu had wiped out the entire middle class while demanding a review of the administration’s policies.
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    ‎But in a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG argued that Falana’s claim was over-exaggerated due to his poor knowledge of economics.
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    ‎It said: “After reading the transcripts of a recent TV interview by human rights lawyer Femi Falana on President Tinubu’s economic policies, which, according to him, have ‘wiped out the middle class, we concluded that he was not fair to the administration.
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    ‎”It was common knowledge in the run-up to the 2023 election, at least for those with some understanding of economics, that the fuel subsidy regime was no longer sustainable and had to be removed. There was also the foreign exchange policy that had created an arbitrage that was damaging the economy. It was against this backdrop that on assuming office, President Tinubu took the needed steps to reform the economy.
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    ‎”Like many officials of Tinubu’s administration, we also acknowledge that the twin policies of the government had created a cost-of-living crisis in the country when they were initially introduced. It was an expected development as there is nowhere in the world where the effects of such a shock therapy would not be felt in the system.
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    ‎”We can easily recall that even the President had long before now said the reforms would come with some hardship, which would eventually lead to good times, and we make bold to say that the green shoots are beginning to show.
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    ‎”But the learned silk and his ilk have deliberately ignored the gradual and remarkable improvement between when the government removed fuel subsidy and merged the multiple exchange rates, and now, two years later.
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    ‎”And to say those policies have wiped out the middle class is classic over-exaggeration by a brilliant lawyer with little or no understanding of modern economics, and that is why he was quick to refer to the Tinubu economic policies as “neo-liberal policies”.
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    ‎”This is, however, not surprising because the revered lawyer had once been dismissive of the economic prowess of a global icon and former two-time Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It is little wonder that there is anything he would not say to further his interest as an activist.”
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    ‎The group also gave some insight into initiatives introduced by the President Tinubu administration in the aftermath of its reforms as well as the output.
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    ‎”Back to Mr Falana’s position on Tinubu’s economic policies, claims that things are tougher with no government response do not add up. This is because the current administration has gone to great lengths to introduce initiatives with veritable impacts, even on the middle class, which Mr Falana said had been wiped out.
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    ‎”We are aware that the FX policy weakened the naira on introduction but it has since rebounded from a low of about N1,850/$1 back then to N1,5200/$1 in August as a result of increased investor confidence, a much improved daily crude production and oil sector reforms which have made the sector more attractive, amongst others.
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    ‎”There is no way the human rights lawyer would not be aware that Nigeria’s foreign reserves are up and stabilising, while the stock market is at a historic high to underline the fact that the economy is on the rise. This is reflected in recent reports that the Nigerian economy has grown to a level not seen in 10 years.
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    ‎”After decades of nuisance taxes that have negatively impacted many Nigerians, including the middle class, the country now has a new tax law which is bound to increase the disposable income of the average Nigerian through tax reliefs and exemptions targeted at low-income earners and small businesses.
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    ‎”On social welfare programmes, we find it necessary to reiterate, for instance, that 5 million households have received a total of N493 billion in recent months at the rate of N75,000 monthly under the federal government’s social protection programme which is being digitised to make it easier for the funds to get to the target beneficiaries. The target is to reach 15 million vulnerable households eventually.
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    ‎”There is also the school feeding programme which has been beefed up to cater for about 9.8 million children in 53,000 schools across 36 states and the FCT.
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    ‎”And lest we forget, there is the student loan initiative, Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which as at August 7, has touched the lives of over 396,000 students through tuition loans and monthly stipends.
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    ‎”It is clear that the Tinubu administration is committed to making life better for Nigerians, so for us, the President asking governors (not necessarily the ones from APC like Falana claimed) to ‘wet the ground’ is a call to duty, a call for the subnationals to collaborate with the centre and do more especially now that they have much more allocations from the federation account.
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    ‎”We therefore find it surprising that rather than direct his call to governors, Mr Falana said President Tinubu should be able to persuade them to codify social investment programmes and enact them into law.
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    ‎”We also wonder which of the Tinubu reforms, the human rights lawyer is seeking a review of, and like many Nigerians, we would love to hear an alternative he would proffer”, the statement added.
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  • FG’s Grant of N4.2bn for Research Projects in Universities a game-changer – TMV

    FG’s Grant of N4.2bn for Research Projects in Universities a game-changer – TMV

    Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has described the federal government’s approval of N4.2 billion as grants to support research projects as timely and in line with the long-standing demands of the academic community.
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    ‎In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, it noted that for long, university professors and researchers had been pushing for monetary grants to enable them to carry out research that would lead to economic and social development in the larger society.
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    ‎”We acknowledge that the grants are to support 158 research projects as part of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) National Research Fund’s 2024 grant circle.
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    ‎Among the universities to benefit from the project’s grants are the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the University of Ilorin.
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    ‎”We consider this intervention by the federal government as proof of the Tinubu administration’s massive investments in education.
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    ‎”Additionally, we can see where the savings from the fuel subsidy removal are being applied. It is only the Tinubu administration that has paid requisite attention to education by ensuring that university professors and other personnel are being catered to as a way to encourage them to give their best to society.
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    ‎”We therefore applaud the federal government for responding to the many years of clarion calls by the universities’ researchers to support them with grants for their projects. ”
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    ‎The group expressed hope that the grants will ensure that the beneficiaries redouble their efforts in uplifting society.
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  • WHO recertifies NAFDAC, PCN at maturity level 3

    WHO recertifies NAFDAC, PCN at maturity level 3

    Flowerbud News/ The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially recertified the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at Maturity Level 3 (ML3) for drug and food regulation.

    Alongside NAFDAC, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has also been recertified, reinforcing Nigeria’s continued commitment to meeting international standards in health product regulation.

    The announcement was made on Tuesday at a joint press conference in Abuja.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the reaffirmation by the WHO for the regulation of medicines and vaccines took effect on June 30.

    According to her, this followed a formal re-benchmarking exercise conducted in Abuja and Lagos from Nov. 25 to 29, 2024, where WHO officials evaluated Nigeria’s regulatory systems and progress.

    She said during the visit, WHO officials assessed progress based on five follow-up Institutional Development Plans (IDPs), reviewing key recommendations that had to be met to complete the re-benchmarking.

    Adeyeye noted that the successful closure of all critical recommendations marked a major regulatory milestone, confirming that Nigeria operated a stable, well-functioning, and integrated system.

    She added that NAFDAC and PCN remained the first National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in Africa to maintain WHO’s ML3 status, a recognition that underscored their leadership and technical excellence.

    According to her, ML3 includes around 260 sub-indicators and more than 800 recommendations, including compulsory audits to ensure ongoing compliance.

    Adeyeye also revealed that the agency was working toward attaining Maturity Level 4 (ML4), which required meeting 57 indicators, 27 of which had already been completed.

    She emphasised that achieving ML4 would significantly boost Nigeria’s image and economic standing.

    Speaking at the event, the Registrar and CEO of PCN, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, expressed satisfaction with the rigorous re-benchmarking process.

    He described the journey as tedious, with laws and regulatory guidelines critically evaluated.

    Ahmed highlighted that the achievement reflected the agencies’ strong commitment to global best practices.

    “What we are doing is a hallmark of responsibility. NAFDAC and PCN play a critical role in pharmaceutical regulation,” he said.

    He also pointed out that facility licensing was key to achieving ML4 and confirmed ongoing efforts to upgrade internal systems and operations.

    NAN

  • Association unveils magazine, seeks government support Support

    Association unveils magazine, seeks government support Support

    By Perpetua Onuegbu

    The Noble Ladies Association International (NLAI), an NGO, has inaugurated its ‘Women of Impact’ magazine, with a renewed call for women’s empowerment and government support.

    Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, which also marked the association’s formal inauguration, its President, Mrs Margaret Mkpumar, said the group was established to educate the girl-child and empower women.

    She said the objective was to harness the potential of girls, groom them into noble women, and equip them with the knowledge and skills to be self-reliant in unforeseen circumstances.

    “Grooming her into a noble woman in case of any unforeseen situation, she would know her right and be able to fend for herself and her children.

    “The association, is revolutionising the way women approach financial stability. With a focus on investment, skill acquisition, and community support, empowering women to take control of their economic lives.

    “Through an innovative investment programme, women can contribute as little as 130,000 Naira and earn up to 100,000 Naira extra.

    “This initiative has not only provided women with a steady income stream but has also helped them develop a sense of purpose and financial independence.

    “Noble ladies’ impact extends beyond its members, as the organisation also supports vulnerable groups such as widows, the elderly, and orphaned children.”

    Mkpumar said the association was promoting financial stability through investment schemes, skill acquisition, and community support, enabling women to take charge of their economic lives.

    She added that NLAI also supports vulnerable groups, including widows, the elderly, and orphaned children, and plans to establish a centralised secretariat to expand its reach.

    The president urged the government to provide a central location for the association’s activities to enable easy access for women across the city and advised women to start businesses before retirement to remain self-sufficient.

    Mrs Oby Elekwa, the association’s Auditor, said NLAI had trained over 10,000 women in practical skills such as cake making, fish drying, and farming, as well as financial management and entrepreneurship.

    ‘The organisation, has trained over 10,000 women, focusing on providing practical skills such as cake making, fish drying, and farming.

    “We also teach women how to manage their finances, create multiple streams of income, and become entrepreneurs.

    “NLAI is calling on the government to provide support for women empowerment initiatives, particularly in rural areas where women have limited access to resources and opportunities.

    “The organisation is also advocating for the establishment of community centers where women can access training, resources, and support”.

    She called on the government to provide more support for women empowerment initiatives, especially in rural areas, and to allow the association access to under-utilised skill acquisition centres nationwide.

    Elekwa said the magazine would showcase the achievements of women who had benefited from NLAI’s programmes, inspiring others to take action.

    Mrs Gbemisola Jonathan, Sports and Recreation Officer, said the association encouraged women to be creative, multi-skilled, and impactful in their communities, while being a voice for the voiceless.

    Chairman of the occasion, former Inspector-General of Police Dr Mike Okiro, commended the women for their resilience and pledged his support.

    NAN reports that NLAI, established four years ago, has more than 700 members across Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Tinubu bringing fresh ideas to governance with grassroot-development initiative in 8,809 wards – TMSG

    Tinubu bringing fresh ideas to governance with grassroot-development initiative in 8,809 wards – TMSG

    Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the newly introduced ward-based economic stimulus programme as a reflection of the typical fresh ideas that President Bola Tinubu keeps injecting into governance at the federal level.
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    ‎In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group said the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) is a creative way of directly reaching the grassroots without breaching key principles of inter- governmental responsibility.
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    ‎”Coming at a time that many Nigerian are concerned that improved federal allocations to states and local governments are not having the desired impact at the grassroots, it is a thing of joy that the federal government is thinking out of the box in order to ensure that all parts of the country are carried along.
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    ‎”This, for us, is the simplest way of explaining what the federal government is set to do with the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) which is targeted at ensuring direct engagement with the country’s 8,809 administrative wards across all 36 states.
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    ‎”Judging from what President Tinubu said at his engagement with state governors on the issue, the federal government is keen on stimulating economic activities at the grassroots through a ward-based development strategy.
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    ‎”We note that the government plan will involve supporting economic activities for a minimum of 1,000 economically active individuals in smaller wards and 2,000 for larger ones under a collaborative arrangement between federal, state, and local governments.
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    ‎”We see it as a creative effort to generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and even enhance social protection in all the wards through a minimum of 8.8 million people.
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    ‎”While it may look like 8 million is a small number in a country with a population of over 200 million, we chose to see it as a strategy that will ensure direct federal presence that will have an indirect effect in addressing local needs.
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    ‎”We are aware that the programme is to be funded with increased revenues accruing to the Federation Account, as well as other programmes that the federal government and states are undertaking.
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    ‎ “And although a National Steering Committee comprising representatives of all six geopolitical zones is expected to oversee the implementation, we are convinced that by the time the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme takes off, it will go along way to drilling down development to Nigerians at the lowest levels of government.”
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    ‎TMSG added that the ward-based development programme will go a long way to empowering local communities and creating jobs directly and indirectly within local economies.
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  • NAFDAC reactivates taskforce to curb fake drugs, unsafe foods

    NAFDAC reactivates taskforce to curb fake drugs, unsafe foods

    Flowerbud News/ The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reactivated the Federal Taskforce to combat counterfeit and fake drugs, as well as unwholesome processed foods.

    Prof. Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, inaugurated the committee on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the initiative was crucial to Nigeria’s efforts to confront a “pervasive and growing threat” posed by the actions of certain individuals.

    “The idea is also in line with the Renewed Hope aspirations of President Bola Tinubu, that Nigeria can be a peaceful, prosperous and people-oriented country, especially by making the health sector attractive,” Pate stated.

    The minister stressed the need for strong governance in the health sector.

    “For the health sector to have a clean bill of administration, there is a need to strengthen its governance by having effective and efficient regulators.

    “NAFDAC is one of those regulators with whom we have been working. The goal of NAFDAC is to strengthen its regulatory capacity, hence the creation of this taskforce. This is not unique to Nigeria,” he explained.

    Pate outlined the risks posed by counterfeit medicines.

    “How does this taskforce relate to NAFDAC? Primarily, the agency regulates drugs, food and other items. Infectious diseases can affect someone who has hypertension or diabetes through the wrong drug intake.

    “These individuals may continue to take medication, but the drugs will not work because they have taken counterfeit medicines, as well as unwholesome processed foods.

    “These factors further accelerate cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and cancers”.

    He also linked strong regulation to the economic growth of the health sector.

    “To unlock the healthcare value chain; which is the third pillar of Mr President’s agenda, we need a strong regulator that will help the industry develop the muscle memory to produce good-quality products.

    “If you do not have a regulator, and you produce something of good quality, someone else can produce a substandard version and compete using the same packaging”.

    The minister commended NAFDAC for its “unwavering commitment” to tackling substandard products, especially in food production.

    NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, called the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medicines, along with unsafe processed foods, as “a challenge that demands immediate and unwavering attention”.

    She said the establishment of the taskforce, empowered by the provisions of Cap C 34 of the law regulating NAFDAC, demonstrates “the collective resolve to crack down on these unscrupulous individuals”.

    “This law recognises that the fight against these illicit products requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, one that is swift, decisive and relentless,” Adeyeye said.

    She cited recent enforcement actions as evidence of the agency’s determination.

    “Between February and March 2025, NAFDAC conducted coordinated operations at major drug markets, notably in Onitsha and the Ariaria Market.

    “These operations resulted in the evacuation and destruction of over 100 trucks of counterfeit and substandard products, valued at over N1 trillion.

    “This massive seizure not only removed dangerous products from circulation but also sent a strong message that Nigeria is serious about protecting its citizens”.

    According to Adeyeye, the operations also led to the arrest of numerous illegal traders and the seizure of a wide range of fake medicines, unregistered drugs, and unwholesome processed foods.

    “The scale of these seizures underscores the gravity of the threat and our unwavering commitment to combat it,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Taskforce includes officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NAFDAC, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

    Others are the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others.

    NAN

  • CODE, partners promote reusable pads Menstration

    CODE, partners promote reusable pads Menstration

    By Perpetua Onuegbu

    Abuja, Aug. 8, 2025 (NAN) Connected Development (CODE) and partners have urged an end to menstrual stigma, calling it a natural occurrence that should not attract shame.

    The group made the call on Friday during a media visit to Thrifty Slayer, a reusable pad production facility in Abuja.

    Mr Hamzat Lawal, Founder of CODE, said menstruation should never be a source of embarrassment for women and girls.

    “This is a natural occurrence for women and girls. I’m a father, a husband, and a brother. If we want women to achieve their desired goals in life, we must play our part.

    “Society should not dictate what women should say or do on this matter. As men, advocates, allies and fathers, let us prioritise menstrual health.

    “We need policies that enable civil society, development partners and the private sector to provide pads in public schools, markets and toilets, because periods sometimes come unexpectedly,” Lawal said.

    He stressed that addressing menstrual hygiene would save men the cost of treating infections in their daughters or wives, while also promoting women’s economic empowerment through reusable pad production.

    According to him, reusable pads offer environmental benefits by reducing waste from disposable products.

    “Most disposable pads end up blocking drainages, especially during the rainy season.

    “But now we have organisations collecting waste fabrics from tailors, sorting them, and using them to make reusable pads that can last three to four years,” he added.

    Mrs Gbemi Elekula, Founder of HUMANx/Dream Homes, said her company produces quality clothing and uses part of the proceeds to fund reusable pad distribution in underserved communities.

    She said 3,675 packs had been distributed across six communities in partnership with CODE and Thrifty Slayer.

    “Our goal is to ensure no girl misses school and no woman misses work because of menstruation,” she said.

    Elekula urged an end to the stigma surrounding menstruation.

    “When you talk about food, you don’t whisper. So why whisper about menstruation?

    “Women are created to bleed. Without it, there would be no reproduction and the world would shut down. We must break the walls of stigma,” she said.

    Ms Honeybel Ajise, Manager of Thrifty Slayers, said the organisation is focused on ending menstrual poverty and empowering women and girls through training in sanitary pad production.

    She expressed optimism that the partnership with CODE and HUMANx would restore dignity to women and girls during their periods and end the stigma attached to it.

    NAN