By Aderogba George

The Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, has lauded National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for efforts toward reducing counterfeit goods in Nigeria.

He gave the commendation when Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the food and drug regulating agency, paid him a visit in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ali also commended Adeyeye’s giant strides toward tackling substandard products in the country, saying that the impact is being felt all over the country.

“We know what you are doing, especially in trying to rid our warehouses, stores and others of substandard goods.

“We know there are millions of dollars involved in this kind of business; that you are making efforts to fight counterfeit goods is good.

“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 academician, 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 could not 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 make 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 Onisha and they were attacked, this is the type of hazards we face everyday 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.(NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu