The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians about the illegal production and sale of unregistered B-GAG mist pot CIT syrup.

The alert is contained in a public notice No. 023/2024, issued by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in Abuja on Sunday.

The unregistered product is alleged to have been sold by a company named Babban Gida Agalawa General Enterprises.

According to the statement, the product, being presented in a pet bottle, was discovered during a surveillance operation carried out by the NAFDAC Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate Officers in Maiduguri, Borno, and Keffi, Nasarawa States.

It said that the product was found to be without a NAFDAC registration number and a misleading label.

NAFDAC in the statement said that illegal marketing of medicines or counterfeit medicines posed a risk to public health.

Adeyeye noted that without compliance with regulatory provisions the safety, quality, and efficacy of such products were not guaranteed.

The agency gave the batch number of the fake product as: 0070, manufacturing date as: 01/02/2024, as well as the expiring date as: 01/02/2027.

Adeyeye also gave the address of the manufacturer as No. 883/884 Western Bypass Ring Road, Kumbosto Local Government, Kano State.

Adeyeye further said that NAFDAC Zonal Directors and State Coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance with a view to mopping up the illegal products within the zones and states.

She advised consumers and caregivers to avoid the use of the product, adding that all medical products must be obtained from authorised and licensed suppliers.

Adeyeye said that products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked before buying.

She also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of either the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Adeyeye called on the public to report any adverse reaction to NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

She encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products through NAFDAC E-reporting platforms.

The e-reporting platforms, according to her are: www.nafdac.gov.ng, the Med- safety application available for download on Android, and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

She said the notice about the product would be uploaded to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).

(NAN)

Emefiele Allegedly Awarded Contracts to Family Members’ Companies

Mr Michael Agboro, a prosecution witness, has alleged that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife and brother-in-law.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The charges include criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as CBN Governor.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele forged a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with reference number SGF.43/L.01/201, purporting it to be from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Additionally, Emefiele is accused of using his position to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

Agboro, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), testified and was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN.

When asked if Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantages on himself, Agboro responded, “He conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a public officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.”

Regarding whether Emefiele alone could award and approve contracts, Agboro confirmed that the contracts were approved by the defendant. He also stated, “The difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN,” when asked about the distinction between CBN and Emefiele.

Agboro admitted that their investigation was limited to Emefiele, his wife, relatives, and associates. Their findings revealed that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or account signatory in either April 1616 Nigeria Ltd or Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Additionally, there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies during his tenure at the CBN.

When questioned about whether they interviewed CBN personnel to verify if the two firms executed their contracted jobs, Agboro confirmed that they did. However, he could not recall if this was included in their final report.

Agboro, led in evidence by EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on March 11, tendered several documents, including company registration documents and contract award and payment records related to the two firms. The documents showed that a director of April 1616, Saadatu Yaro, is a public officer with the CBN, while Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until Tuesday for the re-examination of the witness.

Nigeria and China have signed a joint agreement towards strengthening exchanges and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his counterpart, Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, disclosed this in their joint statement in China.

Yi is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The two ministers, who co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee, signed the statement centred on joint efforts by both countries to promote regional and world peace

According to both ministers, their agreement will advance their respective departments of security operations, trade, police enforcement, enhance their capacity, safeguard national sovereignty and security interests.

“The two countries restated their commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between their two peoples through mutual trust, interest-sharing and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual learning and mutual understanding.

“The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands, such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair.

“The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel; promote human resources training in the fields of culture and tourism, and support cooperation in creative culture between them.

“The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields, such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums and tourism promotion.

“The two sides confirmed their readiness to maintain regular contacts and close communication at all levels on convening the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and Sessions of its Sub-committees.”

The two officials reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past 50 years.

They also jointly planned the future development of the bilateral relations, exchanged views on China-Africa relations, major international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached wide range consensus.

Both countries pledged to support each other in their aspirations in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20 and BRICS.

“The government of Nigeria acknowledges there is but one China in the world and that the government of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

“Also that Taiwan is inalienable part of China’s territory; Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form.

“In any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, Nigeria will support efforts by Chinese government to realise national reunification.

“The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognise Nigeria’s leading role in fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes.

“Both agreed that necessary efforts towards ensuring economic viability of the region would be pursued through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.”

Wang said that China commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and efforts to bring about stability in the sub-region.

Similarly, Tuggar said Nigeria commended and support the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

The ministers expressed both governments commitment to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each other’s citizens living in its country and create business-friendly environment for their business.

“The two sides agreed to support each other’s efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavour to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.

“The two sides stressed the importance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Africa relations, international peace and development, Nigeria supports China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit.

“The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

“The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all and jointly promotes building a community with a shared future for humanity.

“Both countries are dedicated to advancing high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), facilitating synergies between BRI and FOCAC conference outcomes with Renewed Hope Agenda, Eight Priority Areas proposed by Tinubu and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.”

The two countries further promised to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining and free trade zones.

Also, to jointly explore cooperation opportunities in fields such as digital economy, green economy and blue economy and foster new growth drivers in cooperation.

“The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products; the Nigerian side called for increased partnership in Mining and Solid Mineral development and expressed willingness to partner Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.

“The two sides stand ready to create transparent, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.

“The two sides support more Chinese and Nigerian provinces and municipalities/States and Local Governments in establishing more friendly relations and encouraging sister cities.

“China expresses its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard; also at the regional and international levels and to safeguard peace and stability of the country,” the ministers said.

(NAN)