Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered the availability of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly smuggled brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean and Arapora Bionergia.

The agency said this in a statement on Wednesday issued by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs,FCCPC.

It disclosed that the products,which failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, pose serious health risks to consumers, undermine the integrity of the local sugar industry, and contribute to price manipulation that harms the market.

Acting on a tip-off, Ijagwu said FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East.

“The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labeling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.

“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being.

“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

“The FCCPC is also deeply concerned about the economic impact of these products. The influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards.

“Importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers, while pretending that the products are genuine.

“This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market.”

The statement explained that smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroun and Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.

“FCCPC wishes to reassure the general public that, consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, it is taking decisive steps to address this issue.

“The Commission is committed to educating consumers about the dangers of non-fortified and substandard sugar products through nationwide awareness campaigns.

“Nigerian consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labeling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.

“The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies.

“These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products.

“The FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market.

“Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard or unregistered sugar products to the FCCPC. Reports can be made through the Commission’s email, contact@fccpc.gov.ng, or its official social media channels,” Ijagwu said.

         Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued urgent advisory as the country faces concurrent risks from Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), two deadly diseases that have surged with the approach of the dry season.

At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday,Dr. Jide Idris,Director General of the NCDC,implored  Nigerians to take proactive measures, emphasizing that both diseases pose significant threats to public health.

He said:”Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis are not just health challenges; they disrupt families, livelihoods, and strain our healthcare systems.

“In 2024 alone,we have seen a worrying increase in cases and deaths from Lassa fever across 28 states, with over 1,000 confirmed cases and 174 deaths reported. Meanwhile, CSM remains a recurrent issue, especially in the high-burden northern states.

“NCDC data indicates that Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness primarily transmitted through contact with the multimammate rat, has continued to spread. “Deforestation, bush burning, and climate-driven displacement of rodents into human habitats increase exposure”

According to him,symptoms of Lassa fever,which often start with fever, headache,and weakness,can rapidly progress to severe cases involving bleeding from bodily openings.

He urged Nigerians to maintain clean homes,block entry points to prevent rodents and securely store food in rodent-proof containers, dispose of refuse properly,and keep garbage far from homes reduces rodent attraction.

On hygiene,he said regular hand washing and use of hand sanitizers can prevent the spread. While urging citizens to seek medical attention early symptoms similar to malaria should prompt a hospital visit, as early treatment increases survival chances.

For healthcare workers, Dr. Idris emphasized the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce risks,adding that:“Healthcare workers must stay vigilant and report all suspected cases to enable a swift response”.

Alongside Lassa fever,cerebrospinal meningitis poses a heightened risk as the dry season’s dusty winds and crowded living conditions in northern Nigeria exacerbate its spread.

CSM, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord covering, primarily spreads through person-to-person contact. Over the past year, Nigeria recorded 4,915 suspected and 380 confirmed CSM cases, with 361 fatalities.

Dr. Idris also reminded healthcare workers to use PPE rigorously, especially when treating febrile patients, and to report any suspected cases of CSM immediately.

He said:”Both Lassa fever and CSM require a coordinated, nationwide approach,” Dr. Idris emphasized, calling for “an all-of-society response” to protect Nigerians and prevent further outbreaks. The NCDC, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, is ramping up surveillance, public education, and healthcare training initiatives”.

This effort, Dr. Idris noted, “will help reduce strain on healthcare resources and save lives as we confront these critical health threats.”

    Mohammed Shosanya

GoMed,Nigeria’sonline pharmacy platform,has announced its expansion to three new cities: Benin City, Port Harcourt, and Gombe.

This expansion aligns with GoMed’s commitment to solving the critical issue of medication scarcity by ensuring that Nigerians, regardless of location, can easily access their needed medications,a statement said.

With a mission to make trusted healthcare solutions accessible across Nigeria, GoMed collaborates exclusively with reliable local pharmacies licensed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

Through these partnerships, GoMed provides customers with safe, affordable health products, placing a priority on quality and reliability in every transaction.

Besides,GoMed’s in-house pharmacists are on standby, offering professional counsel and personalized guidance to customers on their medication needs, ensuring they have access to expert advice anytime.

“At GoMed, we’re committed to extending safe and reliable healthcare solutions to more Nigerians,” said Mr. Anthony Edeki, Co-Founder of GoMed. “Our expansion is driven by our dedication to meeting the health needs of our communities, empowering individuals with easy, secure access to affordable, quality health products, wherever they may be.”

Through its user-friendly platform, GoMed empowers Nigerians to order a wide range of health essentials – from prescriptions and supplements to personal care items – all from the comfort of their homes. By solving the challenge of medication scarcity and guaranteeing delivery directly to customers’ doors, GoMed enhances the healthcare experience and offers an innovative solution that positively impacts the well-being of Nigerians nationwide.

GoMed’s dedication to continuous innovation underscores its mission to provide the highest quality healthcare experience for its customers. Whether looking for prescription support, over-the-counter products, or professional health guidance, customers can rely on GoMed’s secure, trustworthy, and convenient online healthcare services.

As GoMed expands, the company  invites residents of Benin City, Port Harcourt, and Gombe to experience a new, more accessible way to manage their healthcare needs.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), along with its partners – TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, SAPETRO, CNOOC, and PRIME 130 – has inaugurated a cutting-edge mammography centre at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State in furtherance of its war against cancer.

The centre is part of a strategic push by NNPC Ltd to improve access to early cancer detection and treatment to tackle the high mortality rate in Nigeria,Olufemi Soneye,the image-make of NNPC Ltd, said in a statement on Friday.

The centre,which is the second – one Mammography Centre had earlier been commissioned at Garkida General Hospital, Gombi Local Government Area, Adamawa – along with the series of free cancer screening programmes by the NNPC Foundation.

At the commissioning of the facility, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, who was represented by the Head Business Services, Mr. Sani Kabo, said the mammography centre was a symbol of NNPC Ltd.’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

Wunti,the statement said,emphasized that the facility was in total alignment with the NNPC Ltd.’s GCEO, Mr Mele Kyari’s vision of improved medical system in Nigeria, adding: “It is our hope that under the stewardship of the state government, this facility will become a beacon of comfort and a critical resource for timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive and Country Chair of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), Mr. Matthieu Bouyer, who was represented by the Acting General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs. Tonye Osifo, said TotalEnergies was committed to addressing healthcare challenges through strategic partnerships.

“This mammography centre is among 84 infrastructural projects TotalEnergies has delivered since 2016. It signifies our active role in the global fight against cancer and reflects our alignment with the #WorkingWithCancer initiative, which supports recovery and retention for individuals affected by cancer,” Bouyer stated.

The mammography centre is equipped with advanced features like Senographe Pristina 3D mammography system, digital breast tomosynthesis, stereotactic biopsy capabilities, and can undertake over 120 examinations daily, significantly boosting the diagnostic capacity in Nasarawa State and the North Central region.

The facility also has treatment rooms, a dedicated office for radiologists, and a 20- person capacity waiting area that provides a comfortable and efficient environment for both patients and staff.

The statement quoted that the NNPC Limited and its partners will continue to deliver community-focused projects that enhance the quality of life across Nigeria.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) through NNPC Foundation, its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, is set to launch a free cancer screening campaign to address Nigeria’s rising cancer cases.

The campaign tagged, “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening” will provide, not just free cancer screening to indigent Nigerians, but also health education, workshops, and consultations with healthcare professionals aimed at empowering individuals to recognize early symptoms, adopt preventive health measures, and better understand the importance of regular screenings.

Olufemi Soneye,the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer,conveyed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The campaign which will be organised in collaboration with local health authorities and expert healthcare providers is targeted at reaching about 3,000 individuals across the six geo-political zones with screening centres in Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, and Gombe,the statement said.

The initiative will focus on breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, offering critical early detection support for at-risk populations.

Explaining the objectives of the campaign,the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said: “The fight against cancer requires a collective effort and a commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare. This campaign is about more than just screening; it’s about saving lives, building awareness, and creating pathways to preventive care for Nigerians who need it most.

“In a country of over 200 million people, too many still lack access to the early detection tools that could make a life-saving difference. NNPC Foundation is dedicated to addressing this critical gap by bringing cancer screenings directly to communities. Early detection is crucial to improving survival rates, and this campaign is a vital step towards that goal.”

Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges in Nigeria, with over 79,000 cancer-related deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The most common cancers affecting Nigerian men include prostate and liver cancer, while women are predominantly impacted by breast and cervical cancers.

The campaign seeks to counter the trend of late-stage diagnoses, which occur frequently due to limited access to screening facilities, cultural stigmas, and insufficient awareness.

This initiative follows the success of a screening drive in February 2024, where over 200 Abuja residents received free breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings.

These free cancer screening campaigns reflect NNPC Ltd.’s broader mission to promote health equity and enhance the well-being of Nigerians across the country through its Foundation.

  Mohammed Shosanya

The panellists shared insights on healthcare gaps, the need for increased blood supply, and the impact of public-private partnerships in supporting sickle cell patients. 

Access Holdings’ involvement in this campaign underscores its dedication to advancing healthcare initiatives that benefit vulnerable communities. 

Mohammed Shosanya

The use of mono therapy for malaria treatment remains prohibited in the country,the National Malaria Elimination Program ( NMEP) of the federal ministry of health has said.

Program officer of NMEP, Wudi Natasha Tanko,who stated this during a media chart organized by the organization in Abuja,said monotherapy refers to the use of only one antimalarial medicine to treat malaria such as artesunate and artemeter injection, chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP).

She said, ” monotherapies are not recommended for treatment of uncomplicated malaria and cannot cure. Chloroquine and SP are failed drugs with 39% and 56% efficacy respectively. Artesunate and artemeter injection have very short half live. They attack malaria parasite fast but do not sustain in the body to mop up residual parasites.

“Use of mono therapies for uncomplicated malaria is abuse.”

According to her,dangers of the use of mono therapies is incomplete cure, increased disease severity and development of drug resistance.

She stated that Artemisinin-based combination therapies ( ACTs) are the recommended treatments for uncomplicated malaria. She added that ACTs are medicines consisting of an artemisinin derivative and another schizonticidal antimalarial medicine.

She also said malaria cannot be diagnosed based on clinical (signs and symptoms) assessment alone , adding that diagnosis requires testing confirmation of a clinical suspicion.

She said: ”Case management intervention through prompt diagnosis and treatment with recommended antimalarial is pivotal for reduction of malaria burden.”