The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at improving consumer experiences and ensuring value for money.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, described the partnership as a deliberate step towards strengthening collaboration in the interest of Nigerian consumers, particularly in areas where product safety and consumer protection intersect and require coordinated action.

In her remarks, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the MoU as a step in the right direction.

“We have had similar arrangements in the past, but this represents an improved version of the partnership,” she said.

She commended the FCCPC leadership for its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s dedication to fully implementing the provisions of the agreement.

…..Passes State Symbol Bill

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended the Auditor General for Local Government, Mr. Abraham Gberidyer, over allegations of financial misappropriation and fraud amounting to ₦4.6 billion.

The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, following a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia through the Head of Service.

According to the letter, Gberidyer is currently under investigation for corruption and cannot continue in office in line with constitutional provisions on the removal of corrupt public officers.

The House voted unanimously to suspend him to allow for a proper investigation. The Speaker said the move is necessary to uphold accountability and protect public funds at the local government level. I

n other legislative business, the Assembly passed into law a bill for the creation and adoption of the Benue State Symbol and Anthem, 2026, after considering the report of the House Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism.

The Speaker directed the Clerk to produce clean copies for the Governor’s assent. A separate bill to repeal the 2017 Sports Marketing and Lotteries Board Law and re-enact the 2024 Lotteries, Public Online Lotteries, Gaming and Sports Marketing Board Law scaled second reading.

The proposed law aims to expand digital integration, optimize revenue, strengthen consumer protection against underage gambling, and equip the board with enforcement powers to clamp down on unlicensed operators.

The House also passed a third reading bill to extend the retirement age and improve remuneration for magistrates and legal officers in the Ministry of Justice, to retain experienced manpower in the justice sector.

In addition, the Benue Pension Harmonization Bill, which seeks to increase pensions for retirees, passed its second reading. The pension bill was sponsored by Hon. Douglas Akya of Makurdi South State Constituency.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday cautioned Senator Adams Oshiomhole over repeated interruptions during plenary, warning that he could face disciplinary action, including being removed from the chamber if the conduct persisted.

The incident occurred while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting, when Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, repeatedly raised “Point of Order,” interrupting the session.

The exchange is seen by observers as part of an ongoing tension between the two lawmakers, amid reported political undercurrents within the Senate.

At the start of proceedings, Oshiomhole’s persistent interjections drew the attention of the presiding officer, prompting Akpabio to call on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to advise his colleague on adherence to Senate rules.Kalu described Oshiomhole’s conduct as inappropriate, but the interruptions continued.

Responding, Akpabio reminded the former Edo State governor of the need to observe parliamentary procedures.

“If you are a senator, you must go by the rules,” he said, before ruling him out of order and striking the gavel.Despite the ruling, Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.

The Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, also intervened, warning of possible disciplinary measures if the behaviour continued.

Akpabio reinforced the warning, stating that further disruption could lead to Oshiomhole being removed from the chamber.

Following the repeated cautions, Oshiomhole eventually backed down, allowing plenary to proceed without further interruptions.