The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified its stance regarding the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol.

The Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, Kenneth Azikiwe, in Abuja on Monday, said the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until Dec. 31, 2025.

He emphasised that the recent ministerial lifting of the ban was not permanent and urged the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that the government had permanently lifted the restriction.

“There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025.

“After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.“

The minister granted this temporary relief to allow manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate and ensure a more structured and effective implementation of the ban,” Azikiwe stated.

He highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to sensitise the public across the country, noting that awareness campaigns had reached every state.

“We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” he added.

Azikiwe also commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria for supporting the awareness drive.

He reassured the public that NAFDAC remained fully committed to regulating alcohol consumption and reiterated that sachet alcohol products containing less than 200 millilitres would be phased out after December 2025.

NAN

• Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Leader of the Patriots

The Patriots has shifted its national political summit from May 27–28 to June 11 and 12 in Abuja

A statement from its Secretariat said that the new date was due to the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to civil rule on May 29. 

It was learned that among issues proposed for discussions are: provision for judicial adjudication of corruption and betrayal of trust matters, remuneration of members of the National Assembly, remuneration and compensations in the public service, electoral system, political party structures, revenue management format, security architecture, and fiscal arrangement.

Other items on the list are management of resources and revenue, concurrent functional responsibilities, regional border changes and disputes, as well as equal rights among federating regions, basis of state government, status of the federal capital territory (FCT), federal Executive Council, powers and functions of the President, restructuring of states based ethnic homogeneity and other items are contained in the document.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, yesterday announced the redeployment of some judges.

In a statement by FHC’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, Justice Tsoho directed Justice M. G. Umar from Enugu Judicial Division to take over cases presided over earlier by Justice Inyang Ekwo of Court 5 in Abuja Division.

“The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has effected the redeployment of some judges of the court.

“The general public is hereby notified that all cases pending before Court Number 5 in the Abuja Judicial Division will be attended to by the judge who has been moved to Abuja for that purpose.

“Consequently, there is no need for litigants and/or counsel to apply to the Chief Judge for re-assignment of cases that have been pending before the court,” the statement said.

The Nation