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NAFDAC seizes drugs affected by Borno flood, promises compensation
A joint team from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Borno State Ministry of Health has raided warehouses in the Gamboru area of Maiduguri, seizing drugs worth millions of naira that were improperly stored and compromised by recent flooding.
The operation aimed to prevent the sale and distribution of these unsafe drugs, which could pose significant health risks.
NAFDAC’s North-East Director, Kenneth Azikiwe, stated that the agency was acting on orders from NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to evacuate and destroy the damaged drugs.
He warned the public to avoid purchasing drugs affected by the flood and urged residents to report any instances of people sun-drying or selling such compromised drugs.
“The Director General of NAFDAC Prof. Christianana Mojisola Adeyeye directed the evacuation of the damaged drugs and other regulated products to prevent a bigger and more dangerous public health emergency in the state from the market,” Azikiwe said.
While calling on the Public to remain on alart and report any one sun drying or selling drugs affected by the flood, the DG said NAFDAC remained committed to ensuring safe and good quality drugs nationwide.
Borno’s Health Commissioner, Baba Malam Gana, emphasised the need for proper storage of medicines and promised that the state government would work with relevant agencies to improve the situation at Gamboru market.
“The storage of medicine has to be done properly. I am very pleased to say the Executive Director of the Borno State Drugs and Medical Consumable Agency is standing right beside me and we are going to swing into action to ensure that this are will not be the same again. Drugs must be stored the way it should be stored,” Gana said.
He, however, assured affected business owners of compensation for their losses, with support from President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum.
“I want to confirm that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was here in Maiduguri and he has promised that he would do everything to make sure that people of Borno State do not suffer, and this will include people who have lost their businesses like people in this Gamboru drugs market, they will benefit from the assitance. The state government is going to do its own best to ensure that help has come to them,” he added.
The Chairman of the Gamboru Medicine Market, Bukar Modu, pledged cooperation with the authorities to ensure public safety and called for financial support to help rebuild the market.
“We are willing to cooperate will all directives from the state government. What is most important to us for now is the health of our people. We have sentitise the marketers here and made them understand that people’s live first. We however anticipate that the government will not leave us after this process, but give us necessary financial supports,” Modu said.
NAFDAC also reminded the public to inspect drugs for signs of contamination, such as wet packaging or mud stains, and to report suspicious activities.
NAFDAC’s actions are part of broader efforts to prevent a public health crisis following the recent floods in Borno State.
Credit: PUNCH
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Argentinian police on Thursday arrested a Brazilian, Joelton Gusmao de Oliveira who was declared wanted over attempted coup last year in support of former far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro.
The police statement also said Brazil had previously issued a warrant for his “arrest and detention” for extradition.
Forty-seven-year-old Oliveira was arrested in Argentina’s La Plata, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Buenos Aires, according to a police statement
A Brazilian court had in February handed Oliveira a 17-year prison sentence in absentia for the attempted coup and armed criminal association.
Thousands of pro-Bolsonaro activists invaded the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court on January 8, 2023, demanding the intervention of the armed forces to depose the newly elected left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Brazilian news site UOL said Oliveira was a refugee arrested while trying to renew his papers.
In October, the Argentine government amended the law preventing foreigners charged or convicted over “serious crimes” from being granted refugee status.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mia Le Roux, who was recently crowned Miss South Africa 2024, has announced her withdrawal from the Miss Universe competition because of health issues.
This was contained in a statement released on Friday by the Miss South Africa Organisation, Le Roux expressed gratitude for the support she has received from South Africans, describing the decision to step back as “incredibly challenging” but necessary to focus on her health.
“I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe. Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me.
“However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength,” she said.
The Miss South Africa Organisation also expressed its support, emphasising Le Roux’s resilience and prioritising her health.
“Mia has shown incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period,” the organisation stated.
“Her health and well-being are our utmost priority, and we stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health,” it added.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Russian TV chef who ran a restaurant in central London has been found dead in Serbia.
Alexei Zimin, 52, was an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. He had spent his final years exiled in the UK.
The 52-year-old ran a cookery show on the Russian NTV channel, which was axed after he posted anti-war messages on social media following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Serbian authorities told the BBC there were “no suspicious circumstances” related to his death and that an autopsy and toxicology report were ongoing.
Mr Zimin was found dead in a hotel room in Belgrade, according to reports in Russian media.
He had travelled to the Serbian capital to promote his new book about Britain Anglomania.
[/b]Katerina Ternovskaya, co-owner of the restaurant where Zimin had presented his book and prepared food, said people were “in shock” adding that “the last time we have seen him, he was smiling and in a great mood”[/b].
The diner was wonderful and Alexei was very happy,” she said.
Mr Zimin’s restaurant in London, Zima, confirmed the chef’s death on Instagram.
For us, Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot – both good, kind and sad,” the restaurant said.
Thank you to everyone for the words we [have received] today about Alexei. We are hurting together with you.
“The entire Zima team expresses condolences to Alexei’s family and mourns together with them.”
Written in Russian, Anglomania covers how “modern ideas about democracy, freedom of speech, human rights, capitalism with an inhuman face and socialism with a human face, science, literature, Christmas turkey and afternoon tea” originate from the UK, according to Mr Zimin’s website.
In May 2022, he told the BBC his restaurant had been targeted with abuse and arson threats after Russia’s invasion.
“My partners thought about changing the name,” he said.
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