The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has made alarming discoveries in its ongoing enforcement operation at the Idumota open drug market in Lagos.

The agency uncovered unregistered narcotics, counterfeit GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) medicines, and vaccines improperly stored, with some shockingly found in toilets.  

This was revealed in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. The statement reads, “In the ongoing enforcement operation at the Idumota open drug market, NAFDAC has uncovered more alarming products, including unregistered narcotics, counterfeit GSK medicines, and vaccines stored in toilets.  

“During an operation on Tuesday, officials also seized expired USAID-donated condoms, which had been repackaged and sold under the name “Kiss Condom.”

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The statement added, “More from the Idumota enforcement exercise, NAFDAC officials have seized, “Banned drugs such as Analgin, Vaccines meant for cold chain storage, Oxytocin for maternal health, improperly stored outside the cold chain and donated medical products.” 

NAFDAC has vowed to continue its crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines, emphasizing the grave health risks posed by these illicit products. The enforcement operation remains ongoing as officials work to dismantle illegal drug networks and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law the establishment of the state’s Disease Control Agency and the State Security Agency.

The governor signed the bills on Tuesday during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Kano Government House.

Additionally, the governor approved amendments to the law governing the Kano State Transport Agency.

The signing followed the Kano State House of Assembly’s approval of the bills.

During the same Executive Council meeting, Governor Abba honored students from science and technology secondary schools who excelled in various scientific and technological fields.

Among the awardees were Jafar Sani Muhd, who secured first place from Gwale Local Government Area, and Aminu Ado Abubakar, who came second, also from Gwale. Mustapha Nasir Mukhtar, from Bichi Local Government Area, secured third place.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf presented the students with various gifts, including computers.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, also presented to Governor Yusuf the 2024 Kano State Government’s work plan.

Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received honorary awards from various organizations and institutions, including one from the Bishop Idahosa Foundation.

Thirty-six per cent of pregnant women in Adamawa State, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, suffer from anaemia, a condition that poses serious risks to both the mothers and their babies.

Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi, made the disclosure in Yola, explaining, “Adamawa State’s malnutrition crisis is further worsened by alarming child nutrition statistics: 48.6% of children are stunted, 7% are wasted, and over 80% experience child food poverty.”

She said to combat this crisis, UNICEF has provided 4,290 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) to the Adamawa State government, assuring that the supplements will benefit approximately 85,000 children, helping to prevent malnutrition and improve child survival, growth, and development.

Addressing issues such as stunting, wasting, and anaemia, procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) mechanism, SQ-LNS contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as protein and energy.

According to her, Adamawa was among the first states in Nigeria to adopt the CNF, contributing N100 million in 2023, which was matched by UNICEF.

Felix Tangwami, Adamawa State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, attributed the high malnutrition rates to insecurity, which has limited farmers’ access to their lands and reduced food availability.

He lauded Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for prioritizing the social services sector, particularly healthcare, and highlighted the state’s investment of N100 million in 2023 for food supplements, which has been increased to N300 million this year.

Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, expressed optimism that the N300 million matching fund would significantly improve child health in the state.

With UNICEF’s contribution, this will translate into N600 million worth of supplements, ensuring better nutrition and well-being for thousands of children.