NAFDAC begins enforcement of ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets.

NAFDAC begins enforcement of ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has commenced the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, stated this on Monday at a press conference in Abuja.

“As of January 31, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31, 2024.

“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy,” she said.

She added that during enforcement actions, it was discovered that some manufacturers of the banned products were still producing the products, and still had stacks of both finished products and packaging materials of the products in their possession.

“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter. 

“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution,” she declared.

In January 2022, NAFDAC stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.

This decision was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.

As a result of the decision reached at the end of the committee meeting, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce the production by five per cent with effect from January 31, 2022, while ensuring the product is completely phased out in the country by January 31, 2024.

“NAFDAC committed to ensuring that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.

“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol,” Adeyeye assured.

The don warned that the people mostly at risk of the negative effects of consumption of the banned pack sizes of alcoholic beverages are the under-aged, commercial vehicle drivers and riders.

“The World Health Organisation has established that children who drink alcohol are more likely to use drugs, get bad grades, suffer injury or death, engage in risky sexual activity, make bad decisions, and have health problems.

“The WHO also stated that harmful consumption of alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions including infectious diseases – Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; and non-communicable conditions- liver cirrhosis and different types of cancer. It is also associated with social problems, such as alcohol addiction and gender-based violence.

“To curb the menace of abuse of alcohol, WHO recommended some actions and strategies to policymakers that have shown to be effective and cost-effective, which includes regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, and regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol,” she explained.

FG to include cancer treatment in health insurance scheme.

FG to include cancer treatment in health insurance scheme.

The Federal Government on Monday said efforts were ongoing to include cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This is to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare services for citizens diagnosed with cancer.

The National Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Uche Nwokwu, disclosed this at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Cancer Awareness Summit, in commemoration of the Year 2024 World Cancer Day.

Nwokwu noted that the government has in place the Cancer Health Funds which provides comprehensive cancer care for patients.

According to him, over 2,445 patients had been registered for the scheme while over 750 patients are currently being funded.

He said, “We understand that one of the major things cancer affects is the pockets of the affected affected families and communities. Cancer is capable of impoverishing anybody. Nobody has the capacity on their own to afford cancer care anywhere in the world not just in Nigeria.

“The government is taking steps to ensure that it is included in the health insurance which is one of the major areas that people can afford to to assess the care and pay for it.

“We also understand that since not everybody is yet on health insurance, the one has provided what they call cancer health funds, the fund provides comprehensive cancer care. As we speak over 2,445 patients are registered and over 750 have been funded. The fund provides treatment for surgery, chemotherapy, and therapy and its centre is at the National Hospital. We also have a mandate of the minister to go across the country.”

Nwoku added that the government had also entered into partnerships with Non-governmental Organisations to subsidise the cost of chemotherapies.

“The government also partnered with some NGOs and other sector players to reduce the costs of chemotherapies which are also very expensive,” he added.

The Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mariya Lagbaja, noted that lack of awareness and access to quality health care among others have widened the care gap for cancer patients.

Lagbaja said, “As we are all aware, some of these gaps include limited access to quality healthcare facilities, financial restrictions faced by patients, and limited awareness regarding the Disease.

“Without any doubt, the lack of awareness most especially, has serious consequences, as it prevents many people from seeking early diagnosis and prompt treatment.”

She, however, urged Nigerians to undergo regular screenings and actively participate in raising awareness about the disease.

Lagbaja said, “As we commemorate this event, let us remember that our collective efforts have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, advocating for regular screenings, and supporting those affected by Cancer, we can contribute to a future where this disease no longer claims lives.”

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

The National Cancer Control Plan (2018–2022) stated that cancer causes 72,000 annual deaths in Nigeria, with approximately 102,000 new cases each year.

Oyo orders LG chairmen, monarchs to flush out illegal miners.

Oyo orders LG chairmen, monarchs to flush out illegal miners.

Oyo State Government, on Monday, ordered all the 33 local government chairmen in the state as well as traditional rulers and chiefs to flush out illegal miners, bandits and land grabbers in their respective council areas.

An explosion rocked Adeyi Avenue at Old Bodija in Ibadan, on Tuesday, January 16, killing five people, and injuring 77 others while 55 houses were damaged.

The state governor, Seyi Makinde, later attributed the explosion to the activities of an alleged illegal miner who he said stored explosives at home.

The order for the flushing out of illegal miners was given by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the council bosses at the conference room of the ministry in Ibadan, the state capital.

He also warned that the government has zero tolerance for crime and criminality and will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of the lives and property of its citizens.

Olayiwola vowed that the government would not fold its arms and watch criminals take over the state adjudged as one of the safest in the country.

He said, ”One of the major points that was extensively discussed today (Monday) is the issue of security of lives and property in the state. You will recall that about three weeks ago, there was an explosion at Bodija, Ibadan which eventually turned out to be a result of illegal activities of illegal miners who are not supposed to keep such terrible equipment in the residential areas.

“As a result of this, chairmen and women in the 33 local government areas of the state were invited to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters today (Monday) and we decided to address the press about the outcome of the meeting.

“The security situation in the state is very fluid, and as a result of this, the chairmen and chairwomen in the local governments have decided that the three critical areas that the people and government of the state need to look into are the areas of illegal mining, land grabbing and banditry.

”We have been coping with the issue of banditry for a while now, but unfortunately, the issue of land grabbing has taken centre stage of the insecurity of lives and property of the citizens of the state. The meeting discussed this extensively today (Monday) and decided that forthwith, the chairmen and chairwomen of the local government are being saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the security situations of their local governments as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given them the power to do as the Chief Security Officers of their local governments.

”As a result of this, we decided that the illegal miners, wherever they may be, the chairmen of various local governments should go after them, they should hunt and fish them out wherever they are. This can easily be done with the collaboration, assistance and support of royal fathers and traditional chiefs all over the councils. When they see something, they should say something, to be able to apprehend these people.

”As a matter of urgency, they should hold an emergency meeting with security committees of their various local governments and conclude that the committee will serve as a task force that will embark on the manhunting of illegal miners, land grabbers and bandits.

“The meeting had mandated the council bosses to compulsorily hold a joint security meeting every last Thursday of the month in their respective councils beginning from February 2024.”

He said the outcome of such a meeting must be made available to the local government and chieftaincy matters’ ministry before the end of each month so that the ministry can take the decisions or findings of each of the councils to the state governor, Seyi Makinde.

While citing the recent suspension of the Onido of Ido, Oba Gbolagade Babalola by the state government over alleged links with illegal miners, the commissioner urged royal fathers to expose anyone known to be having ties with illegal miners to inform the relevant authority for prompt action.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Sikiru Sanda, assured the government of adequate security surveillance in all the local governments to make the state not only safe for the citizens but also for local and foreign investors.

In his remarks, the Director-General, of Solid Minerals Development Agency, Abiodun Oni, urged every citizen to take security issues as their responsibility and not the government alone.

Kebbi Gov dissolves local government chairmen, secretaries.

Kebbi Gov dissolves local government chairmen, secretaries.

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has dissolved all the elected Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state and their Secretaries.

The dissolution of the chairmen followed the expiration of their tenure, which ended on Monday, February 5.

The governor directed the chairmen to hand over the mantle of leadership to the Directors of Personnel Management of their local government councils.

A statement by the media aide to the governor, Ahmed Idris, said the governor, while addressing the outgoing chairmen at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Monday, thanked them for the services rendered to their constituencies while applauding their efforts that they had done well.

“He insisted that there were laws governing the local government administration and it had become imperative for government to respect those laws and act as leaders.

“We need to do the needful so that later anything can follow. We did not intend to send anybody away, however, we will make sure that nobody is left behind.

He pleaded, “This is your government, therefore you need to support it to succeed, of course, there is the need for you to work assiduously to see that this government succeed,”

“Governor Idris promised to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to all parts of the state “in fulfilment of our campaign promises,” the statement read.

Responding on behalf of other local government chairmen, the Chairman, of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, in the state, Alhaji Aminu Sarkin-Fada appreciated the governor for his support which according to him helped them record successes.

“I believe without the support of His Excellency, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have achieved,” he insisted.

He listed the distribution of fertilisers free-of-charge to farmers as well as cash disbursement to empower people, saying that the gesture had made many people to now stand on their feet, “they became self-reliant due to the support and magnanimity of His Excellency.”

RCCG commiserates with Oyebanji, Ekiti over killing of two traditional rulers.

RCCG commiserates with Oyebanji, Ekiti over killing of two traditional rulers.

The leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has commiserated with the Government and people of Ekiti State over recent attacks that led to the killing of two monarchs and abduction of some school pupils in the state. 

A delegation from the church, led by the Pastor in charge of RCCG Region 25, Pastor Tunde Abdullahi, delivered the condolence message during a visit to the Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti on Monday. 

Other members of the delegation include the Pastors in charge of region 22 and region 39, Pastors Jimi Ajibade and Pastor Joseph Olagbadegun as well as Pastor Tunde Adelusi. 

In the condolence letter signed by the Continental Overseer, RCCG Continent 3, Pastor Funso Odesola, the Church condemned the gruesome killing of the two traditional rulers and the abduction of some school pupils (now freed) and restated their commitment to supporting the state with prayers. 

“We stand united in condemning such acts of violence and advocating for justice to prevail. The tragic loss of these monarchs underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and concerted efforts to foster peace and stability within our communities. 

“Be rest assured of our continued prayers for your state and the country at large” the letter stated. 

Responding, Governor Oyebanji who hailed the church for the visit, expressed his profound gratitude to the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for his demonstrated love and concern for the people of the state, following the sad incidents. 

The Governor said he was further encouraged by Pastor Adeboye’s prayers for the state and the visit of the Church delegation. 

Stressing the need to arrest the ugly trend of insecurity in the country, Governor Oyebanji urged religious leaders to unite in prayer for Nigeria to overcome her security challenges and work towards a safer and more harmonious future.

The Governor called on people of faith to discourage any form of criminality and continue to pray for the peace, unity and safety of the state and the country at large.

He assured them that government would continue to do its best to protect the lives and property of the citizens.  

While highlighting government efforts in enhancing security of the state, Oyebanji charged the people to remain vigilant and report every suspicious activities in their community promptly. He urged church leaders to encourage their congregations to notify relevant authorities he never they notice a suspicious movement or activities. 

“Let me express the gratitude and appreciation of Ekiti State government and citizens to Pastor Adeboye and leadership of RCCG for standing with us at this very tough moment, I am extremely grateful to him.

“And I 'm appealing to our fathers of faith to please tell our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their neighborhood. They should just expose it because most of these criminals live around us”. The Governor said. 

Earlier in his remarks, the pastor in-charge of Ekiti State, Pastor Tunde Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye said the purpose of their visit was to sympathize with the government over the killing of two traditional rulers and the abduction of the school children and their teachers.

Pastor Abdulahi said the incident did not mean that God had forsaken the people but that God had a purpose for everything.

While commending the Governor for his good governance, the Pastor charged the Governor to remain steadfast and resolute in the face of the challenging situation.

Also at the meeting were the Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, Special Adviser, OTSD, Dr Ekundayo John, Special Adviser Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode and Director General Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso.

Senegal cuts internet access as citizens protest presidential poll delay.

Senegal cuts internet access as citizens protest presidential poll delay.

Mobile internet in Senegal has been temporarily cut by the government following protests against President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election.

As reported by the BBC, Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam stressed the necessity of taking action to prevent the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks in a context of threats of disturbances to public order.”

Sall had on Saturday announced the indefinite postponement of the presidential election, which was originally set to take place on February 25, just hours before official campaigning was due to start.

AFP reports that it is the first time a Senegalese presidential election has been postponed.

The decision comes after a disagreement between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court regarding the rejection of candidates

The Economic Community of West African States expressed concern regarding the delay in the presidential election.

Today, lawmakers will discuss a bill that suggests scheduling the presidential election for August 25 and allowing President Sall to remain in office until his successor is officially sworn in.

Several dozen protesters could be heard chanting “Macky Sall dictator” outside the parliament on Monday, referring to the incumbent president, after being scattered by security forces, as reported by the AFP.

The protesters are reportedly being rallied by opposition figures.

BBC reports that former Prime Minister and opposition candidate, Aminata Touré, announced on social media that she had been released after being arrested during Sunday’s protest.

“Let us all mobilise to defend our democracy. No to the postponement of the presidential election,” she said in an online post.

Another opposition candidate, Daouda Ndiaye, also claimed he was attacked by police.

He shared on social media that he had been hospitalised but stressed the importance of holding an election on February 25.

The hashtag #FreeSenegal is currently trending on X.

Oyebanji Receives RCCG Pastors Delegation, Conveys Condolence Message from Pastor Adeboye.

Oyebanji Receives RCCG Pastors Delegation, Conveys Condolence Message from Pastor Adeboye.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, February 5th, played host to a delegation of senior Pastors from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), with Pastor Tunde Abdullahi leading the group. The purpose of their visit was to deliver a condolence message from the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, to the Governor.

In the letter of condolence presented to His Excellency, Pastor Adeboye commiserated with the Government and people of Ekiti State regarding the recent security situation that tragically resulted in the killing of two traditional rulers and the abduction of school children. He offered prayers for the Governor, invoking the Lord's strength to uphold him and thwart every plan of the enemy against the state.

The meeting concluded with a collective prayer for the well-being and security of Ekiti State, emphasizing the unity of voices in seeking divine intervention.