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.
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Vulnerable residents in Ijede LCDA receive Sanwo-Olu’s free health insurance
Vulnerable residents in Ijede Local Council Development Area, (LCDA), in Lagos State have received free health insurance scheme made available by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration.
The scheme, according to the State Government, is in line with the determination of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with equity and access to quality healthcare, irrespective of the residents’ socio-economic status.
The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, in her address at the flag-off of EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) Community Storm organised by the Agency, at Ijede LCDA, commended the Governor for his support, especially in providing special funds for the implementation of free health insurance coverage for the vulnerable in the State through EKOSHA.
She explained that EKOSHA is an initiative designed by the agency to provide a sustainable structure for the implementation of ILERA EKO free health plans for the vulnerable and indigent in the State.
The General Manager said that the provision of free health insurance coverage for the needy through EKOSHA is an integral part of the agency’s strategies to attain Universal Health Coverage in the State.
According to her, the provision aligns with the new National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) which makes health insurance mandatory in Nigeria.
She pledged that EKOSHA will be at the forefront of championing the inclusiveness of the vulnerable and preventing the disenfranchising of residents at the grassroots in accessing quality and affordable healthcare.
Dr. Zamba pledged that EKOSHA will collaborate with all the grassroots structures through the Local Government Areas and LCDAs to ensure its presence in the communities.
She said that 30 EKOSHA field officers have been engaged, who will liaise with the community structures to identify vulnerable residents within the communities and facilitate their onboarding process using the Equity Fund from the Lagos State Government and the Basic Healthcare Provision Funds (BHCPF) from the Federal Government.
The General Manager said that EKOSHA is also at the forefront of partnering with the private sector for resource mobilisation and economic empowerment of the vulnerable in order to take them to a higher economic class.
She added that 1,000 Point of Sales (POS) system would be distributed to the vulnerable in Ijede LCDA courtesy of First City Monument Bank in order to make them financially independent and uplift their economic status.
Dr. Zamba applauded the support of the State’s Ministry of Health, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service for the conduct of Hepatitis B and C tests as well as blood group tests for the community members.
She also thanked Jigi Bola for also conducting eye tests and giving out glasses to residents who deserved them as well as Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) for the payment of the salaries of the 30 EKOSHA Field Officers.
The Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, represented by the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Abdulaziz Femi Kabir, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Zamba, for the laudable gesture at the flag-off of EKOSHA Community Storm at Ijede LCDA.
She said that there is no doubt that the programme will be of benefit to the vulnerable and also improve the healthy living of the people within the community.
The Chairman, therefore, urged those enrolled to utilise the opportunity and immediately visit the hospital whenever they are unwell.
Board Member, LASHMA, Dr. Tunji Akintade said that in order to reduce out-of-pocket payment of medical bills, prevent financial catastrophic health and have peace of mind, the Lagos State Government introduced ILERA EKO Health plans for all the residents of the State and even set aside one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the enrolment of the vulnerable who cannot afford to pay their health insurance premiums. Dr. Akintade appealed to well-meaning leaders and members of the community to partner with EKOSHA to ensure access to quality healthcare services for the vulnerable by either contributing funds on behalf of the groups, families and individuals in need and also empowering the vulnerable.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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