Business

Ogun Govt solicits U.S. support for developmental programmes

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said that his administration would welcome supports from the United States’ Government in its efforts at improving the lives of the people of the State.

Abiodun stated this on Thursday when he received the Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele informed the envoy that his administration has invested a lot in the past five years in the area of empowering the people in line with his vision to improve their ves and living standard.

Abiodun said: “Our vision on assumption of office was to improve the lives and livelihood of our people and the policies of the present administration over the past five years have been consistent.

“We have put a lot on the empowerment of our citizens. We had the Oko’wo Dapo programme where about 100,000 women benefitted to improve their financial capacity because we know that even though we have huge investments at the top end, the engine room of the economy is still the Small and Medium Scale end of it.

“We are working hard to put things in place that will leave a legacy of sustainable development and improve the lives of the people. As a State, we look forward to the support of the United States Government in what we are doing and we are open to work with you and partner with you on any initiative that you have which will improve the lives of our people.”

The governor added that his administration has invested hugely on infrastructure while adequate policies that provide for business friendly environment has been put in place, noting that this has led to more business inflow into the State, especially, Foreign Direct Investments in the last five years.

According to him, facilities such as the Agro-cargo Airport, has been provided to complement the various sectors of the State’s economy and the industries domiciled in the State to enable them import and export their goods without much stress.

“Just a few days ago, we had the ground breaking ceremony for our dry port so I hat our investors and manufacturers would not need to go all the he way to Apapa Port.

“We are also having our integrated transport system to make sure that we make Ogun State desirable for investments and we hope that with these projects added to all the other things we are doing, Ogun State would continue to be attractive for business and we look forward to doing more business with United States based companies,” he added.

Responding, Ambassador Richard Mills described the Ogun State as dynamic in the area of business and economic opportunities with a great deal of American investments.

He said through his discussion with the government officials, he has come to realize interesting programmes from small businesses to women entrepreneur as well as huge investments opportunities that abound in the State.

The Envoy said: “Ogun State is the State I wanted to visit for a long time since I arrived in Nigeria. It is a State where we can learn a lot, share programmes based on the successes that you have here.”

Business

CBN launches new website

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched its newly redesigned website, www.cbn.gov.ng, scheduled to go live on Dec. 2.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website (www.cbn.gov.ng), which will be operational on Monday, December 2, 2024.

“The redesigned website introduces a variety of new content, which encompasses a broader spectrum of information regarding the bank’s mandate.

“Additionally, the website is responsive to mobile devices, facilitating navigation across various web browsers and devices.

“The bank is grateful for the feedback provided by the public, which served as a valuable guide for our redesign endeavours,” she said.

Sidi Ali said the CBN was committed to developing and enhancing the website to facilitate communication.

“Please follow our different social media channels linked on the website’s home page for more updates,” she said.

(NAN)

Business

No ban on sachet water – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State government has denied reports that it has placed a ban on sachet water.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this clarification on Sunday in a statement posted on his official X account.

The commissioner’s comments followed a viral video which showed enforcement officers destroying packs of sachet water in Lagos.

Reacting to this, Wahab clarified that the officers in the viral video were staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who went about their lawful responsibility to rid the society of unregistered and unsafe products in the interest of public safety and health.

“My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses.

“I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals in question are enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations and in the interest of public health and safety.

“It is important to emphasise that Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so. Our focus remains on effective plastic waste management.

“As part of our commitment, we are implementing mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polythene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 40 microns,” he stated.

Business

NAFDAC notifies Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the general public of the sale of counterfeit combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablet in Nigeria.

The notification is in a public alert marked: No. 043/2024, issued on NAFDAC website, disclosing the date of manufacturing of the drug to be Feb. 2023 and June 2023.

It equally gave the expiring date of the drug as May 2026 and June 2026, as well as Batch No: 7225119 with NAFDAC Reg No: A11-0299.

The agency equally gave the manufacturer name and address as Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.

NAFDAC, in the alert, said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid importation, distribution, sale, and usage of the counterfeit product.

It said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licenced suppliers and that products’ authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.

The alert also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

It urged Nigerians to call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or report any suspicion event via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

NAFDAC promised that the notice would be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).

NAN