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 towards 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, and 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 academia, 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 makes 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 Onitshaa and they were attacked, this is the type of hazards we face every day 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.

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the planned retirement of 1,000 staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Kama Nkemkama (LP-Ebonyi) during plenary on Tuesday.

The motion is entitled, “Need to Investigate the Retirement of over 1,000 Staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Associated N50 Billion Payoff Scheme.”

It would be recalled that, a national media outlet announced on Dec. 2 that the CBN planned to retire over 1,000 members of staff across various levels.

The media report claimed that the retirement was part of restructuring process under the CBN Governor’s leadership with a N50 billion payoff scheme to compensate the affected staff.

Presenting the motion, Nkemkama stated that the sudden mass retirement of over 1,000 staff, including directors and senior management, raises critical questions.

These, according to him, include the criteria for selection, transparency, and adherence to due process in line with public service guidelines and labour laws.

He said that such a significant decision has socio-economic implications for the affected individuals, their dependants, and the broader economy.

This, he said, would potentially lead to increased unemployment and public dissatisfaction.

He expressed worry that the reported payoff scheme amounting to N50 billion might lack sufficient accountability and oversight mechanisms.

The lawmaker said that this would pose risks of mismanagement and abuse of public funds in a sector vital to Nigeria’s financial stability.

Adopting the motion, the House therefore, constituted a high-level ad hoc committee to investigate the planned mass retirement of over 1,000 staff of the CBN

The House stated that this was to ascertain the criteria, process, and legality of the exercise.

The House said that it would also examine the N50 billion payoff scheme to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper utilisation of funds.

The House also resolved to engage the leadership of the CBN to evaluate the potential economic and institutional impact of mass retirement on Nigeria’s financial sector.

The House urged the CBN to suspend further implementation of the retirement exercise and associated payoff scheme pending the outcome of its committee’s investigation.

The House further called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure that the rights of the affected staff were protected in accordance with Nigerian labour laws.

The House requested the committee to report back to the house within four weeks for further legislative actions.

The President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Eliana Martins, on Tuesday called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders, to end every form of violence against women and children.

Martins made the call in a welcome address, at the 2024 Joint Law Week of FIDA Nigeria, featuring its four Lagos branches, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, and Epe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Law Week holding at the Muson Centre, Onikan, is tagged: “Analysing the Challenges Facing Women and Children in Nigeria; The Way Forward-Galvanising Voices”.

She noted that the law week was an age-long tradition, which brought stakeholders together, to brainstorm on critical issues and gain realisation of the mandate of FIDA, with specific interest in the rights of indigent women and children.

She said the chosen theme for the week was apt, adding that “Undoubtedly, this theme resonates with, and reinforces our commitment towards women and children”.

She explained that the theme would also serve as catalyst for the organisation’s role as a voice for the voiceless women and children in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian woman and child are faced daily with several challenges ranging from oppression, neglect, abuse, hunger and in some other cases, rape, victimisation, disinheritance, abject poverty, and many more.

“A lot of times these challenges are wide, diverse, and overwhelming, and at such times, they need voices to speak up for them,” she said.

According to her, there can be no better time to bring together voices that can help speak up for the Nigerian women and children, than now.

She noted that this would require collaborative efforts from major stakeholders in Nigeria, adding that hopefully, the 2024 FIDA Joint Week will espouse the necessity for Nigerians to lend a voice towards overcoming these challenges.

NAN reports that the event had in attendance, some past and present leaders of the bar, female lawyers across different NBA branches in Lagos, gender advocates, among others.