The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC has flagged off massive sensitization campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and use of other sub-standard medicines and products in Sokoto State.
The Director-General of the Agency, Professor Mojisola Adedeye, at the flagging off ceremony, said the sensitization campaign would hold in eight states of the federation.
She said that the first phase of the sensitization campaigns will hold in selected states across the country from August to September, 2021.
According to her, the public awareness campaign is one of the veritable regulatory mechanisms put in place by NAFDAC to promote and protect the health of people.
“A well-informed, sensitized and educated citizenry is the bedrock of effective regulation.
“This is why today’s event is another major milestone in our bid to protect Nigerians against the deleterious effects of unwholesome food, falsified medical products, harmful cosmetics, poor water and other substandard regulated products,” Professor Adedeye said.
The NAFDAC Director General who was represented by the agency’s Director In charge of North West, Pharmacist Dauda Gimba, explained that the sensitization campaigns was to intensify and expand the scope of informal and formal behaviour change, communication strategies in order to reach the vulnerable communities especially at the grassroots.
“Dissemination of Food and Drug safety information is an important aspect of our regulatory work.
“It is common knowledge that Nigeria has a preponderant share of the global problem of falsified medical products and unwholesome food,” She added.
Professor Adedeye said the campaign themes are multifaceted with clear, concise, informative and educative messages aimed at arousing the awareness and consciousness of the general public about the various infractions that impact negatively on healthcare delivery system.
She that the Mass Media, Vibrant Youth Organisations and Civil Societies in the pilot states will be in the forefront of the sensitization campaigns.
The DG also said the target audiences were Market women and men, road transport workers and employers, community Youth Organisations and Students.
She said “It is our expectation that at the end of the campaigns, the participants and target audiences would become dependable partners and allies of NAFDAC and be in the forefront of sustaining the public awareness campaigns by disseminating the information and messages to the grassroots. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the various communities take ownership of the care and management of their own health.”
The Director General reassured that NAFDAC under her watch will not leave any stone unturned in concerted efforts to rid the country out of the menace of falsified medical products, unwholesome food, harmful cosmetics poorly packaged water and other substandard regulated products.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the III, commended NAFDAC for organizing the campaign.
The Sultan who was represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, described the campaigns as timely especially this period that the country is faced with high inflow of Sub-standard Products.
He said traditional institutions will continue to assist in reviewing and disseminating meaningful information on the policies and programme in relation to drug and substance abuse.
The Sultan assured Traditional and religious leaders continued support towards passing the information to target communities especially at the grassroots.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of all the security agencies in the state and other partners, pledges to do more collaboration with NAFDAC in ensuring full realization of the set objectives of the programme.
They also assured to facilitate and assist cooperative efforts in respect of policy and programme initiatives in the drug and substance abuse.
Dominica Nwabufo
