The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) chief, Moji Adeyeye, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, her voice echoing with concern as she spoke of the alarming rise in unscrupulous practices endangering the health of Nigerians.
Her words come in the wake of a recent NAFDAC raid in Abia State, which unearthed a network of clandestine fake wine factories.
“It is sad that some people are bent on making quick money at the detriment of our citizens,” Mrs Adeyeye said on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily when quizzed on the efforts the regulatory body was taking to combat the menace of fake products in the country.
“NAFDAC works that is why we are digging up all the dirt and trying to get rid of them.”
“We do market surveillance routinely, meaning we go to the market and make sure the products that are registered are the products on the shelf.”
The Abia raid, swift and decisive, dismantled not only the illegal production lines but also the entire market infrastructure supporting the nefarious trade. Yet, for Adeyeye, this is just one skirmish in a larger war against greed and ignorance.
“This is not an isolated incident,” she emphasized, her tone steely. “Across the country, we see a disturbing trend of individuals prioritizing personal gain over public safety. Counterfeit drugs, adulterated food, and unauthorized cosmetics flood the market, each posing a silent threat to the health of unsuspecting Nigerians.”
Adeyeye’s lament resonated with a palpable urgency. The raid in Abia, while a critical victory, serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking within seemingly innocuous marketplaces.