Three years ago, Indian-American prodigy Tanishq Abraham graduated from a California college when he was just 11, and made headlines globally.
Recently, he crossed another milestone: at 15, he has earned a biomedical engineering degree from the University of California, Davis, graduating summa cum laude.
His immediate goal is an MD, but eventually, he hopes to become the president of the US!
By Dorcas Jonah Team Nigeria to the third edition of the African Youth Games (AYG) which ended in Algiers, Algeria on Saturday finished with a total number of 105 medals won from 19 sports.
The team won 29 gold, 33 silver and 43 bronze medals, with weightlifting giving it the richest haul of a total of 18, comprising 12 gold, five silver and one bronze medals.
Wrestling gave Nigeria more in terms of quantity, even though it was in fourth place in terms of quality, winning 19 medals made up of three gold, 10 silver and six bronze.
Athletics was second behind weightlifting, and ahead of canoe/kayak in third place, having given Team Nigeria five gold, three silver and five bronze.
Nigeria won four gold, three silver and one bronze from canoe/kayak, while badminton gave it two gold, two silver and seven bronze, and boxing two gold, two silver and two bronze.
The team however failed to win any medal from hockey, beach volleyball, tennis and swimming at the Games which was held from July 18 to July 28.
Attached is the full table of medals won from each sport by Team Nigeria, as well as the athletes who won each medal:
SN Sports No of Gold No of Silver No of Bronze Total No of Medals
The Kwara chapter of the All Progressives Congress is already resetting itself for life after the impending exit of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Stakeholders of the APC, who met on Sunday in Oro have called for the immediate dissolution of the state’s Party Executive Committee led by Alhaji Balogun Fulani and the conduct of fresh congresses.
The meeting was at the country home of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Mohammed, who read out the resolutions said the stakeholders, agreed that the fresh congresses to be conducted at all levels would include all Kwara APC members and those who are just coming into the party
The minister said that the stakeholders also resolved “that all those who got appointments by deceit, hiding under the facade of being party men and women, should immediately resign such appointments or be fired”.
He said the resignations would enable the genuine members of APC to reap where they had sown.
“We also resolved that the recent gale of defections has now put the APC in a position of true majority in the National Assembly, as those who remain are the ones who are truly committed to the ideals of our great Party
“That all members and supporters of our great party restate their unflinching support for President Muhammadu Buhari and assure him of a harvest of votes from Kwara State in the 2019 General Elections.
“That all members should remain calm because there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
Mohammed said he was in the state with the permission of the party’s national executive to hold the consultative meetings with the major stakeholders of APC in Kwara.
He expressed appreciation “to hundreds of supporters who since the announcement of defections have encouraged us via text messages, telephone calls personal visits, that there is no cause for alarm in Kwara”.
The minister stressed that the defection notwithstanding, Kwara is solidly for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the briefing were factional Chairman of APC, Moshood Bolarinwa, the Secretary, Ganiyu Saka and other key members of the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before the consultative meetings, the minister addressed members and supporters of the party who came to receive him at the playground of Muslim Community Primary School, Oro.
The minister told the supporters, in their thousands, that the defection of the lawmakers in the National Assembly had exposed the faces of traitors in the party fold.
“Today is a special day. God has answered our prayers by exposing our political traitors.
“God has removed stones from our rice and sands in our cassava flakes,” Mohammed who addressed the rally in Yoruba language said.
He assured that the defection would have no significant negative effect on the party, instead it would offer an opportunity for its repositioning.
“We are here today to assure that it is a new dispensation in Kwara APC politics. We are at home today to assure you that the party will be reorganised and repositioned.
“By exposing the enemies and traitors in our fold, God has given us the opportunities that we have been looking for to reposition our party .
“These are people who had never given us peace and progress.
“Today, by the Grace of God and with your support, APC will wax stronger in Kwara. What is in the offing is a mega party,” he said.
Mohammed said they were prepared to take the party structure back and give it back to the people.
“The party belongs to you all. We therefore reassure you that God is with us and the people of Kwara are with us.
“Since the day they decamped, you can see those who have come to our camp are more than those who left,” he said.
The minister appealed to the members and party supporters to give new entrants a chance.
He assured that the new dispensation would allow level playing ground devoid of candidates imposition and godfather syndrome
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with some of the 2018 participants of the National Defence College
This week’s activities in the Presidential Villa started on Monday, July 23, in office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he received the 2018 Strategic Report from participants of the National Defence College.
The event which took place at the Presidential Villa Abuja saw Osinbajo assuring participants that the Federal Government would incorporate some of the recommendations in the implementation of policies and programmes.
On Tuesday, July 24, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart, Mahmadou Issoufou witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of crude oil export to Niger and the construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State.
The signing marked the beginning of activities of the week for President Buhari.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu (right); President Muhammadu Buhari; his Nigerien counterpart, Mahamadou Issoufou; and the country’s Minister of Energy, Foumakoye Dado; during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for hydrocarbon pipeline and refinery projects between Nigeria and Niger
The President also inaugurated the Steering and Technical committees for the Niger-Nigeria hydrocarbon pipeline and refinery projects.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Buhari said “Nigeria sees this cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger and construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State as a “win-win” for both nations.”
Following the gale of defections that hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the National Assembly on Tuesday, President Buhari issued a statement pledging his total commitment to the values of democracy, freedom of choice as well as total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.
The President wished the defectors well in their future undertakings, noting that none of the defecting federal lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had any specific grievances against him or the government he leads; neither did he harbour anything against any of them.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, weighed in on the invitation of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, by the Police over the Offa robbery incident where over 30 people were killed.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu :defends the change agenda of the Buhari administration
Shehu criticised the “orchestrated campaigns against President Muhammadu Buhari” whenever a Very Important Person is invited by the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their legitimate duties.
Shehu said: “It is odd, strange and bizarre that while ordinary citizens can be called up to answer questions or be interrogated, the VIP cannot be questioned without the annoying insinuations of partisanship, persecution or outright politicisation.
This country cannot achieve development in peace when important cases are viewed through political prisms and the law is considered as being applicable to some, and not applicable to others.”
Also on Tuesday, the Vice President met behind closed doors with the IG of Police and other officials of government to discuss security issues around the country.
On Wednesday, July 25, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated a former Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith, as the new chairman of the Police Service Commission.
President Muhammadu Buhari welcoming the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission and a former IG of Police, Musiliu Smith
The inauguration took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja shortly before the commencement of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
The President also inaugurated other members of the commission, including Justice Clara Ogunbiyi; retired AIG Lawal Bawa; Mohammed Najatu, Braimoh Austin, Rommy Mom and Dr Nkemka Jombo-Ofo.
President Buhari also inaugurated Festus Okoye, as a National Electoral Commissioner in the Independent Electoral Commission, representing South East.
Later after FEC, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu told State House Correspondents that FEC approved the sum of N977million for the argumentation of the revised estimated total cost for the completion of Mangu water supply project in Plateau State.
President Buhari and Osinbajo during one of the FEC meetings
He explained that the project was started in 2012, recalling that between 2014 and 2016, there was no budgetary allocation.
Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said his ministry presented two memos, one of which was for the purchase of medical and laboratory equipment for NPA at a total sum of N103.717, 845 million.”
Also on Wednesday, President Buhari received President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin during which the two leaders agreed to constitute a joint committee to combat smuggling.
A statement by the president’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Niger Republic would also be consulted in the workings of the committee, which he said would be a transit point in the concentric circle of smuggling of commodities, particularly rice, into Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina speaks on Nigerian economy
Adesina quoted the president as saying “we have succeeded in cutting the importation of rice into the country by about 90 per cent,” noting however, that smuggled parboiled rice still finds its way into the country and consequently vitiating the efforts of the government and discouraging farmers.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo joined President Buhari and other cabinet members for the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, July 25.
Later on Wednesday, the Vice President met with the United Nations high-level delegation on counter-terrorism led by Ms. Michele Coninsx, UN Assistant Secretary General Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED).
She was accompanied on the visit by Vladimir Voronkov, the UN Under-Secretary General, Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and Nigeria’s Minister of Justice & Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami SAN.
On Thursday, July 26, President Buhari delivered the keynote address at the graduation of Senior Course 40 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
President Buhari making his address at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 40 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State
In his remarks, the President urged Nigerians to resist the tendency of blaming leaders only for the country’s state of affairs. Buhari said, “The change we desire in Nigeria actually starts with us as individuals.
“In Nigeria, there is the tendency to lay the blame for the state of affairs in the country on the doorsteps of the leaders alone. Yes, leaders have a major role to play in providing direction and the enabling environment. However, the citizens’ role also is vital in attaining meaningful transformation of any society,” he said.
The President also assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to return the country to the path of peace and prosperity.
Still on Thursday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared open a conference on co-creation with the theme “catalyst for innovation” and organised by Venia Business Hub, Lagos.
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, giving his remarks at the co-creation conference, themed: Catalyst For Innovation, Organised by Venia Business Hub
In his remark at the event, the Vice President said the future of work is by co-creation, creativity and collaboration.
According to him, “We are no longer looking at the age of the lone wolf for the isolated inventor, but collaborative innovation where ideas are shared, developed and refined collaboratively.
“In this age of knowledge economy, it is co-working and co-creation that will define the way we work, progress and output.”
Also on Thursday, in Lagos, the Vice President attended the opening of the Google for Nigeria event.
In his keynote address, the Vice President said that in the course of time, Africa’s fortunes would shape the world, noting that the current century is Africa’s century.
Vice President Osinbajo attends the opening of the Google for Nigeria event
According to him, “Because Africa will, for good or ill, play the defining role in global development. Africa’s fortunes will matter across all the trends shaping the world.
“I say for good or for ill because either scenario is possible. If Africa fails on these important development issues, because of our sheer size, the global impact will be catastrophic and if it succeeds the global impact will be incredible.
“Technology has put great power into our hands, as individuals, but more importantly as co-creators and collaborators, to positively and dramatically change the course of human existence.
“With it, we can solve many of the problems that confront us,” the Vice President said.
Still in Lagos, the Vice President undertook another inspection tour of the clearance operation around the Apapa port and environs to ascertain the traffic situation.
On Friday, July 27, President Buhari received in farewell audience outgoing Ambassador of Republic of Finland Ambassador Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury and outgoing Ambassador of France, Denys Gauer.
President Buhari receives in farewell audience outgoing Ambassador of Republic of Finland Ambassador Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury
In his remarks to the French ambassador, the President lauded the French government for its commitment to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism.
Appreciating the roles and contributions of the French government to peace, security and stability in countries in the West and Central African region, the President noted that Nigeria has placed the issue of combating terrorism in the region on international agenda.
He added that Nigeria has received support and solidarity from France in the area of training, information, intelligence sharing, technical and equipment support.
The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended the THISDAY Policy Dialogue Series tagged: “Improving Nigeria’s health outcomes in numbers”, on Friday, July 27.
L-R: Health Specialist, World Bank, Dr Olumide Okunola; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY Newspapers/Arise News, Nduka Obaigbena, at the 3rd Thisday Health Summit at Yar‘Adua Centre , Abuja
In his remark at the event, the Vice President said the Federal Government would go beyond budget to fund healthcare in Nigeria, noting that government intends to pursue national insurance scheme to improve healthcare funding.
According to Prof. Osinbajo, “It is important that we must bear in mind that budgeting no matter how much it is, will not be enough, because we simply do not have the resources.
“This is why it is important that we take seriously, the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“For us as a government, it is an important policy initiative and we intend to implement it. I am pleased to see that several States are already implementing State Health Insurance Schemes.”
He said: “But the National Health Insurance Scheme is a very important one in order to be able to provide the funding that our healthcare services desperately need.”
On Saturday, July 28, the Presidency announced that President Buhari will travel to Lome, the capital of Togo, on Sunday to attend the Joint ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit on Security.
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President will in the course of his visit to Togo meet with the Nigerian community in the country.
In Lome, the President will also join other West African leaders for the 53rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Lewis Hamilton was able to contain a chase by rival Sebastian Vettel, to clinch the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, his sixth victory of the season.
Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari came in second displacing Hamilton’s Mercedes mate, Valteri Bottas, who was second to Hamilton on Saturday.
Bottas came in fifth, behind Raikkonen of Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull.
“What a beautiful day… A big thank you to everyone back at the factory”, Hamilton said at the end of the race.
Even as Hamilton was recording his 77th pole position on Saturday afternoon, there were few who thought that the British driver would maintain that position 24 hours later.
But a nervy display from Ferrari on Sunday allowed Hamilton to fairly cruise to his 67th win, sharing the podium with chief rival Sebastian Vettel and team mate Kimi Raikkonen.
The Mercedes had looked to be a hard car to drive during all of Friday and Saturday’s practice running, with both Hamilton and Bottas spinning at the Turn 6 chicane in FP3.
But come Sunday, the four-time champion appeared to have the W09 exactly where he wanted it, as he controlled the race to extend his lead over Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ standings to 25 points.
It had looked set to be a Mercedes one-two with six laps left to go. But Vettel used DRS to sweep past Valtteri Bottas, into Turn 1. When the Finn tried to fight back into Turn 2, he locked up and clipped Vettel. The German continued, pulling team mate Kimi Raikkonen through with him, as Bottas dropped to fourth with a damaged front wing.
Three laps later, Bottas hit Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull as the Australian tried to make a move into Turn 1 to mark a messy end of the race for the Finn, who provisionally ended up in fifth – albeit with the stewards set to examine the Ricciardo incident after the race. Ricciardo, on the other hand, will have been delighted to finish fourth, having started the race down in P12.
Pierre Gasly drove a great race to finish in sixth for Toro Rosso, comfortably leading home Kevin Magnussen in the Haas, while Fernando Alonso gave McLaren something to smile about, coming home P8. The Renault of Carlos Sainz and the Haas of Romain Grosjean rounded out the top 10.
How the race ended: Lewis HAMILTON MERCEDES 1:37:16.427
The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said 181,000 primary six pupils from private and the public schools across the state sat for the 2018 Placement Test into Junior Secondary School 1.
Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, disclosed this to journalists after monitoring the exercise at Mende Junior High School, Maryland, Lagos.The test took place in 361 designated centres across the state.
Sopeyin described the conduct of the test as satisfactory in the centres he monitored, which also included Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Junior and Senior High School, Maryland, Lagos.
“This is an annual event. What we are witnessing today is the placement for primary six pupils to gain admission into junior secondary schools in Lagos.
“As you can see, the whole place is peaceful; we have been to the classrooms and it is conducive for the purpose.
“On the whole, in all the centres, we are expecting 181,000 pupils to write this test as against 160, 000 in 2017.
“ This is a pointer that parents are now getting interested in enrolling their children in Lagos schools.
Number of Pupils who sat-for JSS1 entrance Exam-in Lagos State
“We have to congratulate and thank Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for his passion for education in the state,’’ he said.
Sopeyin said that parents enrol their wards in Lagos primary and secondary schools due to the upgrade of infrastructure to meet international standards.
“About three days ago, his Excellency magnanimously announced that very soon, Lagos State will be employing more teachers for its schools.
“With all these, we can only enjoin parents to take their own part seriously, ensure that their children come to school and provide necessary materials for them, to enable them have very sound education as prepared for them by the government,” he said.
Sopeyin also said that the conduct of the 2018 test was an improvement on what obtained in 2017.
According to him, saying there is a lot of improvement with the use of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet.
“If you look at the OMR sheet, the paper was customised; the children’s details were printed on the sheet for easy identification.
“That is why you can see there is no rancor or problem, unlike in the past when the pupils will be running around because they could not find their names.Thank God we have taken care of that.
“Some parents were even agitating that they forgot their slips at home and we told them not to worry, that there are other means to identify the pupils,” he said.
Sopeyin commended the parents for conducting themselves in orderly manner and trusting in government.
He said security men were deployed to various centres to ensure safety of the pupils.
The chairman said the results of the test would be ready in one week, urging proprietors, headteachers and other school owners to check for them at the SUBEB office complex.
A parent, Mr James Okon, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the state government for the smooth conduct of the test.
Okon said his daughter was admitted into the examination hall without officials requesting for anything.
“I am happy about the conduct of the test, everything was well organised, we did not stress ourselves to locate the centre,” he said.
NAN reports that 168,843 pupils sat for the test in 2017 in 255 centres, while 140,000 pupils sat for it in 160 designated centres in 2016.
Mugabe: urges Zimbabwe voters to reject President Mnangagwa
For former Zimbabwe leader, Robert Mugabe, it was payback time to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other coup plotters in ZANU-PF who removed him from office last November, as he urged voters to reject them in Monday’s election.
On the eve of Zimbabwe’s first election since his ouster in a de facto coup, the 94-year-old said he hoped his former allies in the “military government” would be voted out of power.
Mugabe, whose 37-year rule came to an end when he was forced to resign in November, told reporters at his mansion in Harare on Sunday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was unconstitutional and ruled by the gun.
“I hope the choice of voting tomorrow will throw, thrust away the military government and bring us back to constitutionality,” said a frail looking Mugabe, in a rambling off the cuff speech that lasted almost an hour.
“Let tomorrow be the voice of the people to say never again shall we experience a period where the army is used to thrust one person into power.”
Monday’s election will see 75-year-old Mnangagwa, a long-time Mugabe ally, face 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor who is vying to become Zimbabwe’s youngest head of state.
Polls, which are unreliable, give former intelligence chief Mnangagwa a slim lead over Chamisa.
Both candidates are due to address the media later on Sunday.
Mugabe, one of the last “Big Men” of African politics, still looms large over Zimbabwean politics and he may yet influence the first vote without his name on the ballot paper since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Though he became increasingly unpopular with most Zimbabweans as mismanagement and corruption sent the economy into decline, he retains support in his rural heartland where supporters remain bitter about the manner of his removal.
Yeside Laguda: unveils Adire designs named after Nigeria’s heroinesBolaji Buhari/Lagos
A fashion designer,Mrs Yeside Laguda has unveiled an exquisite collection of Adire designs named after Nigeria’s past heroines.
At the unveiling on Saturday night in Lagos, she called on Nigerians to patronise local fabrics not only for their aesthetic value but also for the need to grow the economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that the exhibition which attracted top government functionaries , prominent personalities and fashion aficionados was titled”ROOTS-A journey in history with Adire”.
Some of those who graced the exhibition included the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar ,Deputy Governor of Lagos State ,Dr Idiat Adebule and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State ,Mrs Yetunde Onanuga .
A model wears Adire design named after Efunroye Tinubu
The Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Mohammed,who is the designer’s father was present with his wife ,Kudirat and top socialite ,Mrs Bola Shagaya, as well as the founder of Ebony Life TV, Mo’ Abudu.
The publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sir Sam Amuka was among other notable personalities at the exhibition.
Laguda named her designs after Nigerian heroines such as Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Funmilayo -Ransome -Kuti, Prof.Dora Akinyuli,bQueen Idia, Stella Adadevoh, Flora Nwakpa, Kudirat Abiola, HID Awolowo, Moremi Ajasoro. She did so to celebrate their achievements.
This design is for Queen Amina
And this for Queen Idia
The designer said at a time when the country was focusing on diversification to save foreign exchange and improve the economy ,there was the compelling need for people to buy local fabrics.
She said her foray into making Adire designs was inspired by the need to express her creativity, promote the Adire fabric and contribute her quota to economic development.
Laguda said she was also motivated by the need to take control of her business and respond swiftly to clients’ needs especially with difficulty of sourcing foreign fabrics .
“I decided to go into Adire designs mainly to express myself, to influence my environment and to give people what will look good on them.
“It is not enough for us to say “Buy Nigeria.,Buy Nigeria.”,we really have to do something about it by making our own products and buying them, especially our fabrics.
“That is the way we can keep our money here, prevent our money from going out and together ,we can grow the economy”,she said.
She urged those in the industry and beyond to create things to help the growth of the economy and the Nigerian people.
She said her decision to name her designs after Nigerian heroines was to celebrate them in view of their great contributions to democracy and development.
On her choice of “Roots”as the title of the exhibition, she explained it was a deliberate attempt to take people on a journey to the past with beautifully -curated Adire designs employing modern techniques.
She thanked her father and husband for standing with her while executing the project, saying their support gave her the needed courage
Minister of state for Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar said the Federal Government was committed to the diversification of the economy to improve revenue and save foreign exchange.
The Minister commended Laguda for the initiative, saying her creative spirit aligned with government’s calls to promote Nigerian products.
While congratulating the designer on the success, Abubakar said she was personally motivated by her designs.
“I think it is the diversification thing that really gets me and I am so excited.
“And the fact that her designs are for all and the link with women who did a lot for the country”she said.
Lagos deputy governor Adebule also commended Laguda for her designs ,saying they would go a long way to promote local fabrics and culture.
She said she could not resist the beauty of the designs, hence her decision to pick some. She recommended them to Nigerians.
Ogun deputy governor, Yetunde Onanuga said she was particularly moved that Laguda was showcasing Adire which her state is known for.
She said she was proud of Laguda’ brand and that the state would support her to promote the Adire fabric.
Yeside Laguda’s father, Lai Mohammed thanked the dignitaries and other guests for attending his daughter’s exhibition.
He commended Laguda’ creative spirit and noted that the designs celebrated heroines, to link the present with the past.
Some cough syrup with codeine: Nigeria recalls 2.4m bottles
By Mustapha Yauri
The Federal Ministry of Health has recalled 2.4 million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine after a recent audit of the substance carried out by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Sunday in Abuja, the recall demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to stem the abuse of codeine and other substances in Nigeria.
Akinola said the minister had recently received the final report of the 22-man Stakeholders Committee set up by the Ministry to address the worrisome menace of codeine abuse in Nigeria.
She quoted the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole as saying that the audit trail and subsequent recall of the substance was part of recommendations of Stakeholders Committee set by the ministry to address codeine abuse in Nigeria.
The minister said the committee members were drafted from a broad spectrum of the health sector in collaboration with relevant agencies as part of Pharmacovigilance and renewed effort to monitor drug distribution channels and sanitise the system.
The Minister recalled that the committee was an offshoot of the Press release issued by the Ministry on the temporary ban of Codeine production and distribution.
He said the committee has Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye as the chairman. Other members include Muhammad Abdullahi, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Elijah Mohamed, the Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria; Mr Moshood Lawal, Director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) among others.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 1, Federal Government banned the production and importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparations to check substance abuse among Nigerians.
The minister directed NAFDAC to ban the issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.
He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups nationwide.
The federal government had also banned the sale of cough syrup containing codeine without prescription. In this regard, the minister said PCN had been directed to continue enforcement activities on pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors’ shops and outlets throughout the country.
He also directed NAFDAC to carry out its functions in compliance with the new directives.
The minister said cough syrups containing codeine should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used to treat coughing. It is also a drug of the morphinan class with sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties.
