NAFDAC rewards 5 students, 3 schools in Enugu for selfless service

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has rewarded five students and three schools in Enugu State for their selfless service to humanity.

The schools and students were involved the campaign against sub-standard products through the NAFDAC’s Consumers Safety Club.

Presenting the awards in Enugu on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhi,i said that the programme was designed to sustain the fight against substandard products in the country.

Represented by the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr Dauda Gimba, the director-general said that the programme started 10 years ago.

“We just did the 10 years anniversary of this group on June 29 and the idea was conceived essentially to use youths in the fight against substandard products, having identified the position of youths in the society.

“It was aimed at bringing the awareness to youths on the problems we are facing. That is why the secondary schools were targeted to help eradicate the use of substandard products in the country.

“As NAFDAC is always eager to see that consumers are at safe, we realised that youths are in a better position in conveying the massage.

“Ten years ago, we started with 10 schools from each state and now it has come to a stage where we have 25 schools cueing into the programme,’’ he said.

In his speech, the Deputy Director, Ports Inspection Directorate, Mr John Okwori, urged the students to go the extra mile to educate others and always ask questions to know more.

He also urged them to go into markets to discover some substandard products through identification means taught them.

“You are the future of tomorrow that is why we embarked on this programme through you people and we are ready to give you the maximum support to excel,’’ Okwori said.

The Chief Regulatory Officer for Drug Evaluation and Research Directorate in Enugu, Mr James Agada, said that NAFDAC Consumers Safety Club was formed to sensitise people to the harm and effects of substandard drugs.

He urged the club members to watch over drugs and other products and to report any suspected substandard product to NAFDAC.

The Southeast Zonal Public Relations Officer, represented by, Mrs Victoria Akudu, drew the attention of the club members to the commonly used anti-biotic drugs.

She explained that the agency had made it easier for people to know the standard anti-malaria drugs in the country.

“Once you buy an anti-malaria drug, scratch it and text the number to a five digit number under the panel and you will get an instant reply from NAFDAC.