Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue says his administration has spent $2.82 million (N4.53 billion) to service external loans between June 2023 and June 2024.

Alia made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi.

The governor said that Benue has not borrowed funds since the inception of his administration but paid the said sum to reduce the state’s debt burden.

He further stated that the Debt Management Office (DMO) recent report confirmed that the external debt profile of Benue has experienced a sharp decrease within the period under review.

“Recall that having inherited over 350 billion in debts from the previous administration, the administration has been cautious about taking loans, despite initiating numerous projects across the state, with many already completed.

“We are changing the narrative for good governance and massively delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

“We are consistent in insisting that the future of the state comes first and has demonstrated the highest level of decision-making and resource management,” he said.

He further stated that the current Budgets release of the third quarter of 2024, States Fiscal Transparency League Table, indicated that Benue has moved to 9th position from the 35th and 36th positions it had consistently shuffled since 2015.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned open-drug marketers against selling substandard drugs.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, issued the warning during an interview at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja.

Adeyeye noted that open-drug markets, located in Kano, Aba, Onitsha, and Lagos, sometimes aided the sale of substandard drugs.

She recalled that in the past, the control of patent medicine dealers was relieved from the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), leading to an influx of fake drugs into the country.

The NAFDAC boss disclosed that patent medicine dealers and open-drug marketers took PCN to court for nearly 10 years to continue their illegal activities and removed regulations.

She said, however, the matter took a turn with the intervention of a judge who ruled in favour of PCN on February 16.

Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC and PCN have upscaled their activities to protect Nigerians from bad medicine.

She noted that open-drug marketers have been relocated to the Kanawa coordinated centre in Kano, but cautioned them against selling substandard products.

“NAFDAC has implemented a multi-strategic mechanism to control substandard and falsified medicines, including 12 means of control.

“The agency also conducts “Clean Report Inspection Analysis” before approving drugs from countries like India and China.

“Additionally, the Port Inspectorate checks drugs at the port of entry and some are taken to the lab for testing.”

Adeyeye revealed that 180 approved products were stopped at the port from entering the country due to their substandard quality.

The NAFDAC boss warned importers of dangerous chemicals to desist, stating that the agency was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to prevent such activities.

Borno Government has donated five operational vehicles and 15 motorcycles to the Nigerian Army to enhance security operations in Dikwa Local Government.

The donation was made by Gov. Babagana Zulum on Monday during a visit to the 24 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Dikwa.

Zulum, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur emphasized the importance of equipping security forces to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Zulum said that two of the five vehicles were for the Civilian Joint Task Force while the rest were for the army.

The governor commended the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ezekiel Bawa Barkins, for the military’s support in ensuring the successful resettlement of displaced persons in Dikwa and surrounding areas.

He urged the security agencies to remain vigilant and continue their commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.

He said the donation was Borno Government’s broader efforts to strengthen security infrastructure and support the military and local volunteers in combating insurgency and restoring normalcy across the state.