Flowerbud News

Category: Health and Environment

  • Makinde’s Administration Vows to Integrate Mental Health into Disaster Response

    Makinde’s Administration Vows to Integrate Mental Health into Disaster Response

    Makinde’s Administration Vows to Integrate Mental Health into Disaster Response

    By Adewale Owoade

    ‎The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Health, joined the global community on Friday to mark the 2025 World Mental Health Day under the theme “Access to Mental Health Services in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”

    At an event held at the ministry’s car park in Ibadan, Health Commissioner Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi (represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Akintunde Ayinde) described mental health as a cornerstone of public health and human resilience, especially during disasters such as epidemics, floods, conflict or economic shocks.

    “This is the first official state‑level celebration of the day in Oyo,” Dr. Ajetunmobi said. “Psychological wounds often linger far longer than physical ones, so mental health must be a core part of our emergency preparedness, resilience and recovery strategies.”

    ‎She highlighted Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to mental‑health reform, citing ongoing projects:  Renovation of Primary Health Care (PHC) centres to expand mental‑health services.

    Deployment of psychiatrists to general hospitals, and appointment of mental‑health focal persons in all 33 local government areas.

    ‎The commissioner announced the formation of a State Mental Health Technical Working Group to coordinate emergency protocols, rapid‑response teams and psychological‑first‑aid training, working with civil society, academia, NGOs and traditional institutions.

    ‎Partners such as the Asido Foundation and New World Specialist Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre were commended for their technical and financial support.

    Keynote speaker Dr. Shina Fakunle, consultant psychiatrist at Ring Road State Hospital, Ibadan, underscored the scarcity of mental‑health professionals in Nigeria—fewer than 300 psychiatrists for over 200 million people—and called for integration of mental health into primary, secondary and tertiary care.

    In his goodwill message, Dr. Taiwo Okunade, a guest speaker, reflected on the impact of economic hardship on mental well-being, describing prolonged financial instability as a “quiet catastrophe.”

    ‎He lauded Governor Makinde’s consistent payment of salaries as a stabilizing factor for civil servants’ mental well-being.

    ‎Professor Jubril Abdulmalik of the Asido Foundation urged full integration of mental health into maternal, child and infectious‑disease services, noting this was the first official observance in the state’s history.

    ‎The commemoration was jointly organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Asido Foundation, and New World Specialist Hospital, drawing together healthcare professionals, civil‑society actors, academics and mental‑health advocates to chart a path toward a stronger mental‑health system in Oyo.

  • Enugu Govt. assures of surpassing MAMII 30% reduction in maternal, neonatal mortality

    Enugu Govt. assures of surpassing MAMII 30% reduction in maternal, neonatal mortality

    Enugu Govt. assures of surpassing MAMII 30% reduction in maternal, neonatal mortality

    The Enugu State Government has assured that it would surpass the 30 per cent reduction in maternal and neo-natal  (newborn) mortality target set by the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Innovation Initiative (MAMII) project.

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, gave the assurance while inaugurating the state’s 30-member MAMII Task Team and distributing MAMII kits to pregnant women at Enugu East Secretariat, Edem, Enugu on Friday.

    Ugwu noted that although, the MAMII project targets 30 per cent reduction; the state would aggressively pursue the project to achieve a 100 per cent reduction.

    According to him, this means zero record of maternal and neo-natal (or newborn) mortality in all 17 council areas in the state.

    He said that some council areas, such as Enugu East council area, are already enrolling women of child bearing age into Enugu State Health Insurance Scheme and other programmes to enhance their health even during pregnancy and baby delivery.

    Ugwu said the task team inauguration followed the outcome of several weeks of articulation and work especially the one week of co-creation document to be used to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the state.

    He revealed that under Gov. Peter Mbah had adopted holistic approach towards healthcare delivery through revamping all levels of healthcare from PHC to tertiary level.

    The commissioner called on all stakeholders at the community level to inform, insist and assist pregnant women and babies to access these healthcare facilities especially the 260 Type-2 PHC centres and others to reduce maternal and newborn deaths to zero.

    Mr Abraham Ahmadu, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) National Lead Team to Enugu, explained that MAMII project team for Enugu State would help to coordinate, monitor and drive multi-sectorial actions that would accelerate the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.

    Ahmadu stressed that MAMII was a leading project of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, to drastically reduce maternal and neonatal mortality nationwide.

    According to him, the programme is currently being implemented in 33 states and 172 local government areas across Nigeria to address systemic health care delivery challenges.

    He urged stakeholders to collaborate, pool their resources, and commit to ensuring that no pregnant woman or newborn would die from preventable causes in Enugu State.

    He said that the project had set a target of 30 per cent maternal mortality reduction and 60 per cent increase in health facility usage by 2030.

    The Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Samuel Asudu, assured that royal fathers would cascade the message of MAMII project to the members of their communities.

    Represented by Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe, the Traditional Ruler of Akokwu Umana Community, Asudu lauded Federal and Enugu State Governments for the MAMII project meant to tackle maternal and neonatal death at the grassroots.

     The State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Mrs Adaeze Ugwu, pledged to partner with the state and also provide technical support for the project to succeed.

    In her welcome address, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, stressed that the initiative was geared at ensuring that “no woman in Enugu State dies from pregnancy-related causes”.

    She noted that Nigeria had one of the highest burdens of maternal and neonatal deaths world over, pointing out that every 10 pregnant women that die, three die in Nigeria.

    “And this is the kind of astronomical figures that we have chosen to reverse. When it comes to under five-year mortality, it is said that eight out of every 1,000 children are unlikely to see their 5th birthday.

    “Imagine that these children are the future leaders of tomorrow. That is what we seek to reverse,” she said.

    She, however, called for collaboration of all stakeholders to end the menace in the state, assuring the Federal Government that the state would “surely surpass the MAMII target”.

    The MAMII project workshop, which began on Oct. 6, 2025 in Enugu, ended Oct. 10, 2025  with the inauguration of state task team to implement the project.

    The members of the task team were drawn from health professionals in hospitals and state health agencies as well as health donor agencies and partners in the state.

  • NAFDAC seals 2 Chinese supermarkets in Abuja

    NAFDAC seals 2 Chinese supermarkets in Abuja

     

    (NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye)

     

    Flowerbud News/ National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday in Abuja sealed two Chinese supermarkets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The supermarkets, which are located at No. 40 Mike Akhigbe way, Jabi and No. 61, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, also in Jabi, were sealed for selling goods that were allegedly not approved in the country.

    The agency also put on hold eight other shops at the Wuse market for selling aphrodisiac sex enhancement pills.

    They were also found to be selling body enlargement creams and drugs for breast and buttock, including other toxic substances produced with dangerous chemicals.

    Mr Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, Head of NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement unit, Abuja, said during the enforcement operation that the exercise was in respond to consumer complaints.

    He said the market value of the products seized during the raids is about N170 million.

    He said that the sellers of the products had declared themselves doctors and pharmacists prescribing  drugs for unsuspecting Nigerians.

    “They also have some of these product they popularly call kayanmata oil. These people formed a market in banking premises.

    “The agency got the complaint and we cannot be here and allow such a thing to happen.

    “We responded to that consumer complaint; we visited the place and we raided quite a number of shops carrying all manner of unapproved products by NAFDAC,” he said.

    On the closure of Chinese supermarkets, Godiya said that the agency also acted on intelligence it gathered from concerned citizen that there are some supermarkets belonging to some foreign nationals.

    He said that these foreign national were said to have brought into Nigeria, certain items, most of which were food items, and were labelled in Chinese languages without any English translation.

    Godiya said the action was in violation of NAFDAC labelling regulation adding that those supermarkets operated without approval from NAFDAC..

    “We have seized all the offending items we found in the supermarkets.

    “In one of the places that we could not evacuate all the items we found we placed the whole warehouse on hold; we have invited the owner for further investigation,” he said.

    “We cannot guarantee the safety and the quality of these products, NAFDAC has not evaluated, assessed or analysed them,” he said.

    Godiya urged Nigerians to be vigilant about what they buy and consume.

    NAN

  • CALMHAF Foundation provides ‘ThriveNaija Wellness’  solution to tackle corporate, workplace mental health issues

    CALMHAF Foundation provides ‘ThriveNaija Wellness’  solution to tackle corporate, workplace mental health issues

    CALMHAF Foundation provides ‘ThriveNaija Wellness’  solution to tackle corporate, workplace mental health issues

    The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) has provided a holistic solution to corporate and workplace stress, anxiety, worries of  economic volatility and personal cultural stigma facing Nigerian workers.

    The Co-Founder of CALMHAF Foundation, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, a leading mental health advocate, told newsmen in Enugu on Thursday that the foundation had designed a transformative workplace mental well-being initiative called: ThriveNaija Wellness Programme.

    Nwachukwu said that the ThriveNaija Wellness Programme is a transformative initiative designed to rejuvenate employees, boost productivity and align with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals.

    She said that the programme offers a path to happier employees, stronger teams, and a better bottom line approach to organisational/workplace  bonding.

    According to her, In Nigeria’s fast-paced corporate world, where 36 per cent of workers face frequent stress and only 150 certified and practicing psychologists serve a population of 200 million people.

    “As it is, mental health challenges are taking a toll on employees and organizations alike; while the vast majority of Nigeria’s workforce is under immense mental pressure each work day,” she said.

    The mental health advocate noted that ThriveNaija offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to combat workplace stress and foster resilience as it combines WHO-backed relaxation techniques, professional counseling, mindfulness, and stress management.

    Nwachukwu, who is also an Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, said: “ThriveNaija is customized for Nigeria’s high-pressure sectors like banking, telecoms, technology and emergency/health services among others.

    “The programme delivers up to 20 per cent productivity gains through workshops on decision fatigue, emotional intelligence, and team-building, while reducing absenteeism and fostering stronger, more cohesive teams.

    “ThriveNaija provides flexible delivery options, including in-person retreats at premier venues and virtual sessions tailored to industry-specific stressors, such as regulatory compliance in banking or customer service demands in telecoms.

    “For individuals — entrepreneurs, remote workers, and professionals — the program addresses isolation and work-life imbalance, offering personalized support to combat burnout.”

    She said that ThriveNaija aimed to be the wellness partner for your staff and organization, helping employees reclaim their mind, body, and soul through mindful experiences.

    Nwachukwu said that by corporate organisations partnering with ThriveNaija; they would position themselves as Mental Health Champions, promoting psychological safety and reducing stigma while enhancing their social impact within communities and groups.

    She said, “ThriveNaija programme delivers measurable results, with an estimated £5 return on investment for every £1 spent, according to WHO data.

    “Organisations can schedule a demo retreat or customise a subscription, while individuals can join our Starter Membership for immediate wellness benefits. Contact us at info@copeandlive.foundation or +2348148318965 to explore tailored solutions.”

  • NAFDAC orders green tankers for edible oil distribution

    NAFDAC orders green tankers for edible oil distribution

    Flowerbud News/ National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has given edible oil manufacturers and distributors two weeks to adopt dedicated green-painted tankers.

    NAFDAC announced this on Friday at a joint meeting with oil manufacturers, the National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers (NUEOTDN), and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

    Dr Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, said the measure seeks to safeguard public health by ensuring only dedicated tankers convey edible oils to consumers.

    He condemned the use of petroleum and diesel trucks to transport cooking oils, describing the practice as dangerous and unacceptable due to health implications.

    Iluyomade stressed that edible oils are used globally in almost every meal, thus requiring strict regulation to prevent contaminated and unsafe products reaching Nigerian consumers.

    He warned manufacturers and distributors that failure to comply with the directive would attract severe sanctions, adding that protecting Nigerians’ health remained a national security priority.

    He noted that NAFDAC had held several meetings with stakeholders before reaching this stage, insisting the agency would not tolerate unwholesome practices in food transportation.

    Mr Usman Tajudeen, National Secretary of NUEOTDN, pledged the union’s full support, assuring that members had been trained and would strictly comply with the directive.

    He urged manufacturers not to patronise unauthorised truck operators, adding that the two-week deadline was an opportunity for truck owners to make necessary adjustments.

    Mr Luke Bamidele, Quality Assurance Manager at Premium Edible Oil Products, Ibadan, said manufacturers were ready to cooperate with NAFDAC, while urging NUEOTDN to sensitise more drivers.

    Also, Mr Adebayo Idowu, Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos Chapter, affirmed the union’s support for NAFDAC’s clampdown on unwholesome edible oil distribution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a green-painted truck was displayed at NAFDAC’s office as the approved colour for edible oil tankers nationwide.

    NAN

  • CALMHAF Foundation trains, empowers 25 nurses, expectant mothers on mental health challenges, solutions

    CALMHAF Foundation trains, empowers 25 nurses, expectant mothers on mental health challenges, solutions

    CALMHAF Foundation trains, empowers 25 nurses, expectant mothers on mental health challenges, solutions

    The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) has trained and empowered 25 nurses and expectant mothers with knowledge to manage mental health challenges leading to better solutions.

    The Executive Director of CALMHAF Foundation, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, in an address during the training held at Ozalla Health Centre, Enugu on Friday, said that the training would foster holistic mental well-being.

    Nwachukwu said that the training also would definitely enhance their emotional resilience and drive positive social relationship change within their communities.

    He said that the training was part of CALMHAF’s Support for Caregivers Initiative (SCGI) and Mother to Mother Initiative (MTMI), adding that both community initiatives were aimed at supporting the mental health of caregivers and mothers.

    According to him, the training session created a supportive and inclusive environment where attendees could openly explore mental health challenges and solutions, equipping them to become advocates for mental wellness and support systems for each other.

    “The participants have fully understood what poor mental health is; its signs, symptoms, and impact as well as providing a foundation for recognising and addressing it in both personal and professional contexts.

    “Participants explored specific triggers of mental distress, gaining insights into factors that affect mental wellbeing, particularly for caregivers and expectant mothers.

    “A detailed discussion on various mental illnesses helped demystify misconceptions, highlighting their prevalence and effects on individuals and communities.

    “The session addressed how home problems, such as family dynamics or domestic stressors, can significantly influence mental health, especially for expectant mothers balancing multiple responsibilities,” he said.

    The executive director said that the training x-rayed the dangers of excessive screen time both on television and cell-phones on mental health and impact of negative emotions.

    “The training provided key solutions which focused on bouncing back from mental health challenges; fostering hope; the critical importance of seeking help; prioritising self-care; building resilience and creating supportive networks to navigate life’s challenges,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the participants also utilised world-standard instruments to assess their levels of depression and anxiety, gaining valuable insights into their mental health status.

    Responding, a participant, Mrs. Gloria Nwafor, who is an expectant mother, said she had learnt not to overuse her cell-phone for a long time as well as its negative mental and social consequences.

    “After the training today, I will definitely reduce my screen time and prioritise quality time with members of my family and fostering stronger emotional connections and improving her mental wellbeing as well,” Nwafor said.

    A nurse, Mrs Judith Izuchukwu , said that she had leant a lot about emotional intelligence and how to build  mental resilience, which have equipped her to support her patients and take care of her own wellbeing.

  • NAFDAC urges public to report adverse drug reactions

    NAFDAC urges public to report adverse drug reactions

     

     

    Minna (Flowerbud News):   The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged members of the public to report adverse reactions of drugs on their health using the Med Safety App.

    Mr Kenneth Azikwe, Director of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, made the call during an engaged with stakeholders in Minna on Monday.

    He said by reporting adverse reactions, stakeholders would be helping NAFDAC to identify and remove harmful products from the market, thereby protecting public health.

    “Don’t keep quiet when you take a drug and you get a negative reaction to your body; report such products using your phone through the app.

    “Once you complain, we have officers watching the app and an investigation will be launched immediately to withdraw the drug if it is not good,” he said.

    Azikwe said the agency had always emphasised on pharmacovigilance to ensure safety of consumers and promote responsible use of pharmaceutical products.

    He noted that the agency believed in feedbacks hence stakeholders’s engagement to enhance regulatory activities and improve services rendered to the public.

    He called on the stakeholders to embrace the NAFDAC Automated Product and Monitoring System (NAPMS), which enabled products registration online without physical presence

    (NAFDAC Operatives in action)

    According to him, NAFDAC as a regulatory authority, has grown with the signs of time, urging companies to use NAPMAS to register their products as it is easier and cheaper.

    The director also encouraged stakeholders to participate in the Micro Small Medium Enterprises Registration Scheme, which allowed the registration of low-risk food products using minimal facilities to guarantee the safety of the products.

    He appealed to stakeholders to embrace the Green Book, a database of registered products.

    He encouraged stakeholders to download the app into their phone, which could be used to search the name of a drug to know if such a drug was registered or not.

    He appealed stakeholders to come forward as a group or association, particularly in the agrochemical and chemical sectors, to obtain the necessary licences and certifications to enable the agency control what people were doing with chemicals.

    Mr James Kigbu, state Coordinator of NAFDAC in Niger, said the stakeholders’ engagement was crucial for fostering open dialogue and collaboration to ensure regulatory compliance, safety and responsible business practices.

    “Your feedback today will help us in decision-making, improve processes and help us to manage your expectations,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the engagement include the Agro Chemical Association, Industrial Pharmacy of Nigeria and Supermarket Owners Association.

    Others are the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprise, Islamic Medicine and Prophetic Medicine Association, and National Association of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria.

     

  • Oxygen plant: Prof. Ugwu says Nsukka General Hospital remains Enugu’s flagship hospital 

    Oxygen plant: Prof. Ugwu says Nsukka General Hospital remains Enugu’s flagship hospital 

    Oxygen plant: Prof. Ugwu says Nsukka General Hospital remains Enugu’s flagship hospital

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, says that Nsukka General Hospital remains one of the flagship hospitals of the state as the state government intensifies efforts to reposition the facility.

    Ugwu said this on Friday in Nsukka while inspecting the state-of-the-art oxygen plant installed by the state government and its health partners.

    He said that the plant with its oxygen cylinders would provide a veritable platform for its commercial use to serve needs of other health facilities in the Nsukka and its environs.

    The commissioner said that in recent times, the state government had continued to upgrade the Nsukka General Hospital to meet the 21 century healthcare needs of the people.

    According to him, the state government recently reconstructed the main hospital building; which contains the wards and clinics as well as reception spaces.

    Ugwu said, “A brand new ambulance is here as you can see.

    “There is a plan by the state government to renovate and refurbish the old building in the hospital to serve as a modern hostel for the school of nursing here.

    “We are making additional plans to engage specialised manpower, consultants and other healthcare workers to enhance service delivery as well.”

    He said that the present administration, ‘’led by our healthcare loving Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has vowed to leave no stone unturned in revamping all levels of healthcare from the Primary Healthcare Centres, General/Cottage hospitals and Tertiary hospitals.

    “The state government through the Ministry of Health is working to ensure Nsukka General Hospital keep providing qualitative healthcare and training of manpower for the teeming population of our people living within Nsukka and its environs,” he said.

  • NAFDAC burst illegal cosmetics factory inside military mammy market

    NAFDAC burst illegal cosmetics factory inside military mammy market

    Flowerbud News/ National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the agency has discovered an illegal cosmetics manufacturing base at a Mammy Market located inside a military barrack in Lagos.

    NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, who disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday said the agency acted on a credible tip-off in collaboration with the military.

    Iluyomade said several counterfeited cosmetics products were being processed in large volume when the team bursted the location, which name was withheld due to ongoing investigation.

    He added that equipments, mixed chemicals, raw materials and imported packaging materials used to deceive consumers were discovered at the location.

    The director said five different illegal production centres were also discovered, while over five trucks of fake products worth over N500 million were evacuated from the base.

    Iluyomade said one of the main suspect was apprehended during the raid while investigation was ongoing to identify other individuals involved in the illicit act.

    He said: “These counterfeiters operate inside the mammy market within the barrack where this raid was carried out and had been hiding under the cover of security without being noticed to perpetrate this evil act.

    “We must give credit to the military for partnering with NAFDAC during this operation that led to the discovery of five other factory where products are being counterfeited.

    “What we discovered during the raid was massive, our team are still on ground at the location to evacuate more fake items.

    “The counterfeiters have stepped up their game, they are now producing this fake products in the country with imported packaging material, making it difficult for consumers to identify the original from the fake.”

    He reaffirmed NAFDAC Director-General (D-G), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye’s commitment to safeguard the health of the nation.

    He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency to rid the country of fake and unwholesome products.

    “NAFDAC D-G is intensifying effort with support from the Presidency to go after individuals who are undermining the health and wellbeing of Nigerians through the importation and production of fake and substandard products.

    “NAFDAC’s mantra of safeguarding the health of the nation is still high priority and we will continue to make sure that this criminals have no hiding place in the country,” he said.

    NAN