The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
News
NDE trains 65 youths on basic business skills in Nasarawa
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a five-day Basic Business Training (BBT) for 65 school leavers and artisans in Nasarawa State.
The NDE Director General, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, made this known at the opening ceremony of the BBT in Lafia on Monday.
Nuhu-Fikpo, who was represented by Mr. Chris Bamsida, the Nasarawa State NDE Coordinator, said the training, designed for artisans and school leavers, was on the rudimentary aspects of business management skills.
He said that with the skills, the chances of their success in the market place were higher.
“The training is part of the agency’s efforts in addressing the menace of business failure arising from lack of managerial skills by new entrants into the informal sector.
“The informal sector is a significant contributor to the economy of every nation.
“The significance is further buttressed by their role in stimulating the market economy, productive activities, promoting flexible labour markets and absorbing retrenched labour from the formal sector.
“The training is taking place today in Lafia, Nasarawa State and is holding simultaneously in18 states and the FCT,” Nuhu-Fikpo said.
The director general said that the role of local barbers, cobblers, hair dressers, and similar players in the economy could not be disregarded.
He said that the directorate was established by an Act of Government in 1987 to implement programmes meant to tackle mass unemployment through various strategies developed over the years.
“The targets of these programmes are the graduates, school leavers and artisans.
“The four core programmes of the directorate are the Rural Employment Promotion (REP), Special Public Works (SPW), Vocational Skills Development (VSD) and the Small-Scale Enterprises (SSE) which is conducting the training.
“The SSE programme is involved in the development of the entrepreneurial abilities among youths, especially graduates of tertiary institutions, amongst others.
“It was primarily designed to inculcate in the unemployed, the spirit of entrepreneurship, creativity and self-reliance with a view to assisting them set up their own businesses,” he said.
Nuhu- Fikpo said that the directorate would also provide starter packs for a percentage of those trained.
He advised the participants to give their full attention to the training in their own interest and for the overall development of the country.
The DG thanked the state government and other stakeholders for their continuous assistance as well as the members of the press for propagating the programmes of the agency.
In a welcome address, Ms. Chikodi Ike, the Head of Department, SSE, Abuja said that the agency was committed to its mandate in order to reduce unemployment and poverty within the limits of its resources.
Ike, represented by Mrs. Carol Eluwa, Ag. HOD, Women Employment Branch (WEB) NDE, Abuja commended the director general for initiating different policies and programmes in tackling unemployment in the country.
The Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr. Salihu Enah, represented by the Director of Cooperatives in the Ministry, Alhaji Sani Bello and Dr Idris Umar, General Manager, Nasarawa State Vocational and Relevant Technology Board, appreciated NDE for its efforts in tackling unemployment in the state.
They assured of the government’s readiness to collaborate with NDE in order to train people especially the youths and women in various skills in the state.
Miss Monica John, a beneficiary, appreciated NDE for the training and promised to take the training with the seriousness it deserves.
News
Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
-
Finance4 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update3 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Submission Guidelines4 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND
-
Health1 month ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
Business4 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
News5 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman