Category: Health and Environment

THE Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and cloudiness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged dust haze on Monday in the northern region with visibility ranges of 1km to 3km.

It anticipated localised visibility of less than 1km throughout the forecast period.

”The North central and inland cities of the South are expected to be in dust haze with visibility ranges of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period.

“Hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the coastal parts of the country throughout the forecast period,” it said.

According to NiMet, dust haze with visibility ranges of 2km to 5km are anticipated on Tuesday with localised visibility of less than or equal to 1 km is expected throughout the forecast period in the northern region.

It envisaged the North central and inland cities of the South to experience dust haze with visibility ranges of 2 km to 5km during the forecast period.

According to NiMet, a hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the coastal parts of the country throughout the forecast period.

“For Wednesday, in the northern region, dust haze in good visibility is expected throughout the forecast period. In the North Central and inland regions, dust haze with visibility ranges of 2km to 5km is anticipated throughout the forecast period.

“Hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the coastal parts of the country throughout the forecast period,” it said.

The agency urged the public to take necessary precautions as dust particles would be in suspense.

” People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather conditions. Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said. (NAN)

By Flowerbud News

By Flowerbud News

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
on Wednesday in Ibadan destroyed unwholesome products worth about N11 billion.

The destruction of the unwholesome, substandard, falsified, medicinal and other unwholesome regulated products, was carried out at Akinyele Dump site, Ibadan.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the South-West Zonal Director of the agency, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, said that
the destruction was a key component of the functions of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.

She added that the directorate is charged with the responsibility of investigating unwholesome, substandard, fake and counterfeit regulated products.

She said that the move was to mop up unwholesome products from circulation to safeguard the health of citizens.

Adeyeye said the effort of ridding the system of unwholesome and substandard regulated products from circulation is being supported by sister agencies, including the
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Police.

She explained that the items for destruction were collected from the five states of the South West Zone (excluding Lagos) of the agency and Kwara, in the North Central Zone (because of proximity) to South-West zone.

She said “these items include expired products that were voluntarily forfeited by those in the drug distribution channel, unregistered and unwholesome products seized from different outlets and warehouses, fake and counterfeit, as well as unregistered imported products smuggled into the country.

“The worth of what is being destroyed today is estimated to be N10,991, 458, 374.60.”

“The purpose for this public destruction is to convey strong signal that all items being confiscated by the agency are not being diverted for personal use.

“We assure the public that with NAFDAC and sister agencies, unwholesome products are being removed from circulation.”

According to her, the destruction under close monitoring by the Oyo State Government is to reduce the impact of pollution on the environment.

For the agency to fulfill its mandate, she said, several strategies were employed.

The strategies include registration and laboratory testing of regulated products, inspection of production facilities and warehouse, pharmacovigilance, chemical evaluation and research.

Adeyeye, therefore, called for continued support and partnership with stakeholders to keep Nigeria safe and free from unwholesome, substandard, fake and counterfeit medicinal and other regulated products.

Mr Mohammed Shaba, the NAFDAC Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, said that the agency had destroyed unwholesome products worth N98.6 billion so far in 2024.

Shaba urged the public to report any unscrupulous manufacturers who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.

Also, Dr Akin Fagbemi, the Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, pledged the Oyo State Government’s continued support to ensure that unwholesome products were out of the system.

He added that “the government’s interest is to safeguard the health of the nation.”

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that dignitaries at the destruction included representatives of the NCS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the police, among others.

NAN

By Flowerbud News

The Ondo State Government and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), on Tuesday in Abuja, launched the Immunisation and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

The initiative is aimed at reducing mortality rates among pregnant women and children under five.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report that the World Bank-funded initiative seeks to promote the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLIN), and strengthen healthcare providers’ capacity to manage childhood diseases.

It also seeks to encourage preventive malaria treatments such as Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprophylaxis (SMC).

At the onboarding ceremony for community-based organisations (CBOs), Dr Folayan Abolaji, Ondo IMPACT Project Manager, said that the goal was to reduce under-five mortality in the state by 40 per cent.

Abolaji said that it would mean reducing under-five mortality from 15 to less than 10 deaths per 1,000 live births.

“This project aims to prevent maternal deaths and tackle the malaria burden by implementing multi-level interventions.

“While we have achieved excellent distribution of mosquito nets in the past, utilization remains a challenge.

“Through this programme, we aim to address this gap by engaging CBOs to improve usage,”Abolaji said.

Dr Temitope Kolade, Chief of Party for the IHVN IMPACT Project, highlighted the role of social behavior change communication in driving community acceptance and ownership of the initiative.

“We are working closely with community structures such as ward development committees and local government teams to ensure a grassroots impact,” Kolade said.

Chief Akomolafe Pius, a representative of Knowledge Care Providers, one of the participating CBOs, expressed confidence in the project’s potential for success.

“This training has equipped us with strategies for effective community engagement, ensuring that health-seeking behaviors are embraced at the grassroots level,” he said.

NAN recalls the IMPACT project is expected to contribute significantly to achieving Ondo State’s health goals.

It is expected to do so by addressing barriers to malaria prevention and treatment through coordinated community efforts and strengthened healthcare services.

NAN

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has reaffirmed its commitment to curb land degradation and desertification in Nigeria.

Alhaji Sale Abubakar, Director-General of the Agency, gave the assurance at the ongoing United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said a statement on Sunday.

The Nigerian delegation at the convention was led by Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Environment.

Abubakar said the convention marked the beginning of critical discussions on combating desertification, promoting sustainable land use and building resilience against droughts that aligned closely with the agency’s mission.

“The conference availed the agency the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s successes under the Great Green Wall initiative, including the restoration of degraded lands, reforestation efforts, and community empowerment programmes.

“NAGGW is proud to contribute to these efforts and share our experiences in sustainable land management and climate adaptation.

“The convention also served as an opportunity for NAGGW to showcase its role in fostering regional and international partnerships,” Abubakar said.

He said the NAGGW’s delegation participated in key discussions on enhancing global and national policy instruments for proactive drought management.

“The agency’s expertise in implementing early warning systems, sustainable land use practices, and community-driven projects positioned Nigeria as a leader in this critical area.

“With a clear vision for building resilient ecosystems and communities, NAGGW’s participation at COP 16 signals Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to combating desertification and promoting sustainable development,” said the D-G.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to achieving large-scale restoration goals, adding that restoring land was not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity.

According to him, investment in land unlocks the potential in agriculture, biodiversity, and resilient communities.

Abubakar, therefore, called for stronger international partnerships to bridge the financing gap, emphasising that climate resilience requires urgent and ambitious funding commitments.

He highlighted how desertification and drought had pushed vulnerable populations to abandon their ancestral homes, leading to a rise in migration and social instability.

He presented Nigeria’s strategic framework under the Great Green Wall initiative, which integrates land restoration with economic empowerment to curb forced migration and improve security.

The NAGGW boss said the agency empowered thousands of youths and women through skills training in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, offering them viable economic alternatives to migration.

He shared success stories of communities in northern Nigeria that had transitioned from despair to prosperity due to these initiatives.

Abubakar also addressed security concerns linked to resource scarcity, which had often fuelled conflicts in fragile regions.

He said during the convention the agency participated in the “Middle East Greening Initiative,” where the agency shared its experience with large-scale greening efforts.

He said NAGGW also hosted a side event on integrating women and youth into land restoration efforts, highlighting grassroots success stories from rural Nigeria.

“The agency’s commitment to inclusive development inspired many stakeholders, positioning NAGGW as a leader in community-driven solutions for land restoration,” Abubakar said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Flowerbud News

NAFDAC has warned bakeries across the country against using saccharin and bromate in bread production.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning while featuring on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum.

She said bakeries caught in the act would face the full consequences.

“This is where our post marketing surveillance comes in.

” We go out routinely to look for certain products; sometimes it may be due to complaints through our reform office.

“We have closed down a few bakeries because they are using bromate during bread production.

” If we find out, or someone suspected or tasted the bread and it has bromate, we will shut the bakery down.

“We have equally closed down many water producing factories as result of substandard production or producing it in an unhygienic environment.

“Our Regulatory Inspection Directorate is important to us because it ensures that what is brought to us at the point of registration is what is still in the market.

“When we do inspection at the beginning, we go there and take samples and test the product

” Sometimes after they know that the product has been registered, they start changing the process of production or formular.

“This is why post marketing surveillance monitoring is very important.

” It ensures that what they brought to us is still what is in the market in order to maintain standard.

” That is what is called market control,” she said.

NAN

By Flowerbud News

The Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, has lauded the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for efforts toward reducing the circulation of counterfeit goods in the country.

He gave the commendation when Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the food and drug regulating agency, paid a visit in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ali also commended Adeyeye’s giant strides toward tackling substandard products in the country, saying that the impact is being felt all over the country.

He added that “we know what you are doing, especially trying to rid our warehouses, stores and others of substandard goods, we know there are millions of dollars involved in this kind of business, you are making efforts to fight counterfeit goods.

“This is more similar to the same thing we are fighting at the agency — fake news, when you are dealing with fake drugs and you see how it is being manufactured in the length and breadth of this country, it is mind-boggling.

“This is why you deserve all the support the media can give you, as well as the general support Nigerians can give you, what you are doing in NAFDAC is selfless service, it is a selfless task.

“You have to do it for the country, as an academian, you have set the bar, I think other regulators should emulate what you are doing.”

The managing director said that if NAFDAC staff risk their lives in safeguarding public health, it is a duty on other regulatory agencies to also rise up to their task.

He said NAN as a major content provider in terms of news would continue to project the image of NAFDAC provided it is still carrying out its responsibilities
as enshrined in the law.

He said that NAN as a news agency cannot afford to mislead the public with information, adding that the agency has zero tolerance for fake news and misinformation.

Earlier, the NAFDAC boss told NAN MD that sharp practices are widespread and majority of people would always want to beat the system.

She said that the country witnessed six decades of decadence up until in 2019 when NAFDAC realised that and decided to change the narrative to promote local manufacturing of goods.

She added that people would always want to beat the system to their own favour and to the detriment of others’ health.

“We deal with goods, drugs, chemicals, vaccines and others and almost everything that make life better on a daily basis and this is why we have to be on alert, it is a tough business, but we have to do the job.

“Just two or three months ago, our staff went on a routine patrol in Onisha and they were attacked, this is the type of hazards we face everyday as an agency.

“Our work is for the benefit of all Nigerians in terms of what we eat and drink, because you may never know when you need medicine, you must be sure that the water doesn’t put your stomach in trouble,” she stressed.

She said that NAFDAC would not keep mute to this system but will keep on working a step ahead of counterfeiters who are determined to promote illegalities to the detriment of the health of many Nigerians.

NAN

By Flowerbud News

Flowerbud News