The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday in Ibadan began the destruction of fake products worth N43 billion.

The exercise tagged “Investigation and Enforcement, Lagos destruction of fake, expired, substandard and falsified drugs, medical devices and unwholesome regulated products”,  was carried out at Moniya dump site, Ibadan.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, was represented by the NAFDAC Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Shaba Mohammed.

She said the products being destroyed comprised food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC Regulated Products.

These were seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Adeyeye added that the destroyed products also included damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, NGOs and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

“The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is N43 billion; NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safeguarded.

“As such, it is committed to eliminating medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals, medical devices, and other products.

“There were several hawkers’ raids carried out across various locations in Lagos. Several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products were seized.

“The products seized comprise various aphrodisiacs and sex enhancement drugs. Some Over-The-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Only Medicines (POM) drugs were also found and seized from the hawkers.

“Over 30 wares were seized in total.

“Products peddled by these drug hawkers including banned Codeine substances and narcotic drugs (e.g. Tramadol capsules), Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, Antibiotics worth over N48 million were confiscated,” she said.

She said the agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale and distribution of Schedule 1 Narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations in the country.

Adeyeye added that the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the agency raided some pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the country to confiscate products worth over N700 million following discrete surveillance.

“Some other products for destruction today are some products that were mopped up from circulation during Investigation and Enforcement Directorate’s raids.

“These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products, such as codeine syrup, expired tramadol, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, and many other unregistered drugs.

“Other products are contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays,” she said.

Adeyeye urged the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs, unwholesome processed food and other NAFDAC-regulated products.

This, she added, should be done by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC Office for prompt investigation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged regulatory agencies to eliminate overlaps and align their activities with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for economic growth and enhance ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Shettima said this on Thursday during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Regulators’ Forum to build an effective Regulatory Impact Framework (RIA) for Nigeria held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that President Tinubu’s administration was committed to streamlining the regulatory environment in the country.

According to Shettima, the move is crucial in driving the coordination, transparency and global competitiveness required for the nation’s economic transformation, stressing that the administration’s journey towards a regulatory system built on trust, consistency and collaboration was ongoing.

He said that it was a journey that required all and sundry to remain committed.

“Our duty to the private sector is clear: to listen, process their concerns, and develop solutions that drive growth.

“In recent months, there have been pockets of complaints regarding certain directives from our regulatory agencies.

“I have personally intervened on several occasions to ensure we are not hampered by conflict, but instead move forward with unity and purpose.

“The success of this forum today does not solely depend on our ability to collaborate, share knowledge, and align our regulatory actions with the broader national agenda,” Shettima said.

He said President Tinubu has reassured the business community of his commitment to easing any bottlenecks they may encounter.

“And each regulator here must adopt the same mindset in their dealings with private enterprises.

“The work of PEBEC, particularly through initiatives like the Regulatory Reform Accelerator, has been pivotal in reducing the obstacles faced by businesses.

“Today’s forum offers an unparalleled opportunity to address these issues head-on and chart a new course towards regulatory cohesion.

“This is not merely an event – it is a defining moment for us to reflect on the duties we owe our nation,” he said.

Customs destroy 1,015 sacks of dried Donkey meat, skin in Edo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has destroyed 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat and skin in Edo.

A statement by Mr Jerry Attah, the Public Relations Officer, NCS, FOU, Zone C, on Wednesday, said that the items were part of contraband seized between July 15 and Sept. 15 in the zone.

Attah quoted Comptroller Michael Ugbagu, who oversees NCS, FOU, Zone C, as saying the destruction was carried out in the presence of representatives of other regulatory agencies.

He underscored the need for collaborative efforts to protect wildlife.

Ugbagu said the initiative also aligned with efforts to combat the illegal trade of endangered species.

He said that Nigeria as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits the trade in donkeys.

“The National Council on Agricultural and Rural Development in 2017 has also banned the large-scale slaughter of donkeys in the country to prevent their extinction.

“But as you may be aware, donkey parts are highly valued in Asia, particularly in China, where they are used for consumption and medical purposes,” he said.

The comptroller further said that smugglers had become creative, now using luxurious buses to transport donkey meat at night to evade arrest.

“We cannot afford to lose our donkeys on the altar of illicit exports, especially considering their economic importance for agricultural purposes,” he said.

Ugbagu reiterated the unit’s resolve to protect the country’s wildlife and economy.

He thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for their support in the fight against smuggling.

Ugbagu also called on the media and Nigerians to assist Customs with intelligence to curb smuggling activities.

He issued a stern warning to smugglers planning illegal activities during the ember months, stating that customs officers would remain vigilant and committed to enforcing the law.