News
NAFDAC inaugurates Kano task force to tackle fake drugs, unsafe foods
Ibrahim Khalil
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated a Kano State task force committee to combat fake, counterfeit and unwholesome processed food products and drugs.
Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday in Kano, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiative as a strategic step to strengthen enforcement and safeguard public health.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Fraden Nantim-Mullah, said the task force would operate under NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate as a federal operational arm.
She warned that counterfeit drugs and unsafe food products pose serious public health risks, undermine confidence in the healthcare system, and threaten national development if not decisively addressed.
According to her, Kano’s position as a major commercial hub makes it particularly vulnerable to the production, importation and distribution of substandard and falsified products.
The NAFDAC boss said the task force would engage in intelligence gathering, surveillance, enforcement operations, seizure of illegal products, arrests, prosecution of offenders, and public sensitisation to curb the circulation of fake products.
She added that the initiative is backed by the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act, which empowers enforcement agencies to take legal action against offenders nationwide.
Also speaking, the Kano State Secretary to the Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the reconstitution of the task force was necessary to address rising cases of drug abuse and counterfeit products in the state.
He noted that drug addiction remains a major social challenge, particularly among youths who constitute a significant portion of the population, and called for urgent efforts to disrupt supply chains of illicit substances.
Farouk-Ibrahim assured the committee of government support and urged members to carry out their duties with integrity and resist any form of inducement or interference.
He announced Kamilu Mudi-Salisu as chairman of the committee, with members drawn from security, justice, health and regulatory agencies to enhance coordinated enforcement.
In his remarks, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, described Kano as a critical hub in Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit medicines, particularly anti-malaria drugs and other essential medicines.
He warned that many counterfeit drugs contain no active ingredients, posing a silent but deadly threat that contributes to avoidable deaths across communities.
Iluyomade disclosed that eight containers of cloned medicines were recently intercepted, with Kano identified as their intended destination.
He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders and cautioned against attempts by vested interests to frustrate enforcement efforts.
The task force chairman, Mudi-Salisu, pledged the committee’s commitment to tackling fake drugs and unsafe foods, urging the public to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities.
He said the task force is empowered to conduct raids, seize illegal products, seal premises and prosecute offenders in line with existing laws.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed renowned public health expert, Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi, as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse and related social vices across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with civil society organisations, public health professionals and other stakeholders in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans by the state government to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring swift justice, strengthening law enforcement and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s extensive experience in public health policy, social protection and community development would enhance the effectiveness of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Kano.
Dr. Magashi is the President of the Africa Health Budget Network and a respected civil society advocate with decades of experience in healthcare, public policy and community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the task force, Governor Yusuf also approved the inclusion of a representative of the Kano State Sharia Commission in its membership to ensure that its activities conform with Islamic guidance.
The state government said the latest measures form part of broader efforts to address drug abuse, improve public safety and protect communities from the social and economic consequences of substance abuse.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on conventional and social media practitioners to promote factual reporting, patriotism and active citizen participation as part of efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen public trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the maiden Arewa Media Summit held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Governor Yusuf as saying that the media must remain committed to truth, bridge generational divides, amplify the voices of the people and encourage responsible civic engagement.
He described the theme of the summit, Government, Citizens’ Accord, Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, accountability and public confidence through ethical journalism.
According to the governor, responsible journalism and access to credible information are critical to national development and the successful implementation of government policies and reforms.
Governor Yusuf said his administration has continued to support media development by protecting press freedom and creating an enabling environment for journalism to thrive.
He listed the establishment of Northern Nigeria’s first Online Media Chapel, sponsorship of information officers for registration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the registration of journalists with the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB) among the state’s achievements in advancing professional journalism.
The governor also commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for strengthening information management across the country, and praised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for promoting professionalism and ethical journalism through the summit.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the future of Northern Nigeria depends not only on investments in infrastructure and agriculture but also on credible journalism, responsible communication and effective storytelling.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the summit was organised to promote accuracy, fairness and professionalism in reporting government activities while strengthening the relationship between government, citizens and the media.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Governor Yusuf’s sustained investment in the training and retraining of media practitioners has enhanced journalism practice in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the summit attracted the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, ministers, lawmakers, academics, media professionals and participants from across Northern Nigeria.
News
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has introduced a free emergency medical treatment programme that provides eligible patients with lifesaving care for the first 48 hours at designated hospitals across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative, being implemented through the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) under the Ministry of Health, is designed to ensure that victims of medical emergencies receive prompt treatment without financial barriers.
According to information released by the state government, the scheme covers children under the age of five, including newborns with emergency conditions, road traffic accident victims, gunshot injuries, snakebite cases, drowning incidents, fire-related injuries, building collapse victims, communal clash casualties and other weapon-related injuries.
The programme also includes obstetric and neonatal emergency referrals from Kano State’s 18 MAMII local government areas through the SaveMAMA referral system.
Under the initiative, emergency treatment is provided free of charge for the first 48 hours at accredited Emergency Medical Treatment Centres (EMTCs) across the state.
The government advised patients or their relatives to contact the KN-SEMSAS Emergency Call Centre before or immediately upon arrival at an accredited hospital to obtain an authorisation code, while stressing that emergency treatment should not be delayed while the code is being processed.
Residents were urged to use the national toll-free emergency line 112 or the state’s dedicated emergency numbers 09019999920 and 09049999914 to request ambulance services and access the programme.
The accredited hospitals participating in the scheme include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH), Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, MDS Hospital, Zak Clinic, MGK Hospital and Khadijat Memorial Hospital.
The state government said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving medical services for residents.
It called on members of the public to take advantage of the programme and share information about the emergency treatment scheme to enable more residents to benefit from the free services.
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Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
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