The Director General of National Agency for Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has presented a preliminary result of clinical test of the samples of some substances to ascertain the cause of the strange illness in the state.
She made the presentation during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at his office in Kano, Tuesday evening.
Prof Adedeye disclosed that, there are 5 substances involved in the development.
“Out of the 5 substances, only 3 were registered and the remaining 2 were not registered.
“We still wonder how they came into the country. As our investigation reveals that, they were not imported into the country through our Ports.”
She explained that, some of those substances were found to be poisonous. “When one takes them, he or she would find it very difficult to breathe normally. That is close to death, Sir.”
Indicating how the Agency takes the matter seriously, she disclosed that, there are 6 Directorates on the issue, engaged in trying to define coherent and scientific explanation to it.
“The substances have Citric Acid. We also went to 2 companies that have the registered substances with them, though their substances are registered, but we still put them on hold, to avoid certain things. Until after our examination,” she explained.
Adeyeye assured that when the final result is out she would present it to the state government. She commended the effort being made by the Acting Managing Director of the State Consumer Protection Council, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, over his unrelenting commitment in fighting the marketing of the poisonous substances, alongside fake and counterfeit drugs flooding the state.
“Your Excellency, I am pleased and glad to inform you that, our Agency will establish Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) here in Kano. Sir it is the first one to be established in the country. We are also building state office of the Agency with Laboratory. So Kano will henceforth have its Lab, well equipped,” she revealed.
In his remarks, governor Ganduje assured them of his administration’s commitment towards partnering with NAFDAC in specified areas, “just to keep our state and the nation in general, safer and healthier.”
“We also appreciate your effort in working hand in hand with us in taming this strange illness in the state,” he said.
Ganduje hinted that, for now the source of those substances are known to authorities, “While we arrested many consignments, we are still combing our markets thoroughly.”
He said he was happy that the process of substance examination was hastened, “…that we are today receiving a preliminary result. This is commendable. We will also continue with the public enlightenment.
“We need to work very hard as the Fasting period is fast approaching us. When people use all kinds of substances as appetizer,” he assured.
Governor reminded her about the effort of the state government in building Drugs market at the newly Dangwauro Modern market, adding that, “The Drug market there is almost completed. We put in place, at the Drug market, offices of NAFDAC, NDLEA, Customs and Excise, among other relevant agencies. We will not relent in our effort to control drug market in the state.”
NAFDAC Boss presented an Award of Excellence to the governor for his commitment and unhindered political will in dealing, decisively, with drug abuse in the state.
The NADAC boss was accompanied by the Director Enforcement of the agency, State Coordinator of NAFDAC, former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, among others.
