News
Traders Defy NAFDAC, Continue Sale of Sniper Insecticide
Nearly two months after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control announced the ban on sale of Sniper and other brands of agricultural formulations of Dichlorvos in open markets, major markets in Abuja have yet to comply, The PUNCH reports.
In a bid to curb the spate of suicide by poisoning, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, had said products like Sniper should only be used for outdoor purposes and not private homes while also banning the importation and manufacture of 100ml pack size of agricultural formulations of Dichlorvos with immediate effect.
The statement had read in part, “NAFDAC is giving a two-month (up to August 31, 2019) notice to brand owners/distributors to recall and withdraw their products from open markets and supermarkets that do not have garden corner/shelves to the agro dealer outlets.
“The sale of Sniper insecticide and other Dichlorvos brands in open markets and supermarkets nationwide is prohibited with effect from September 1, 2019.”
The agency said CropLife Nigeria, in collaboration with NAFDAC, had agreed to provide antidotes against Dichlorvos poisoning in tertiary and secondary medical centres across Nigeria, as well as the reformulation of all Dichlorvos preparation to include “bitter agents and vomiting induced agents.”
It was, however, learnt that the antidotes had not been given to major tertiary and secondary hospitals within Abuja.
A visit by The PUNCH to major chain stores like Shoprite revealed that there was compliance with the directive.
However, Sniper and other similar products were still being sold in markets located in Dutse Alhaji, Kubwa and several other suburbs within the FCT.
But the Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products at NAFDAC, Dr Bukar Usman, told ThePUNCH that the agency had begun enforcement.
Usman said, “We have been doing enforcement but it is not just Sniper that is on the list because Sniper is a brand. We are mopping up all Dichlorvos products that come in 100ml. In fact, we have even stopped the registration of 100ml size.
The Punch
By Eric Elezuo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has debunked reports making the rounds that it has canceled the already taken English Language paper of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The examination, which has generated a lot of controversy, was written late in the evening as WAEC fought to nip in the bud examination malpractice.
In a statement signed by Head, Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC insisted that the examination has not been cancelled, stressing that the story in the public space is a handiwork of mischief makers, “who are bent on bringing the Council to disrepute to cause confusion and panic for candidates who sat the examination.”
The Council promised to continue to uphold the standard that has seen it operate seamlessly in the last 73 years of existence.
The statement in full:
RE:2025 ENGLISH EXAMINIATION LANGUAGE CANCELLED
The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has been drawn to a purported press release by the Council, spreading across various social media platforms.
According to the press release dated Friday, 30th May 2025, “the English Language paper written on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the ongoing WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025 has been cancelled, and a new date for the conduct of the examination will be announced soon”.
The management of the West African Examinations Council would like to state that the press release being circulated did not emanate from the Council. The said examination has not been cancelled. Although the source of that information cannot be ascertained yet, the Council is certain that the false claim is being peddled by mischief-makers who are bent on bringing the Council to disrepute to cause confusion and panic for candidates who sat the examination.
The Council would like to use this avenue to inform the general public and all stakeholders that pieces of information from the Council are disseminated via our official and verified social media handles, as well as accredited media platforms across the country. In the same vein, all press releases are issued and signed by the Public Affairs Department of the Council on behalf of the Head of National Office.
Once again, we thank all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in us for the seventy-three (73) years of conducting examinations, and we promise to always seek innovative ways to render quality services to the Nigerian child.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has strongly responded to calls for his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that no one has the authority or courage to remove him from a party he has served faithfully for years.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, the former Rivers State governor reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP and challenged anyone questioning his membership.
“I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for the party,” Wike said. “I haven’t seen anyone bold enough to say, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who would say that? What has that person contributed to the party that surpasses mine?”
Wike’s comments come amid rising tensions within the PDP over his involvement in the current administration and speculations about his political loyalties.
Despite the controversy, he made it clear that he remains loyal to the party and won’t be easily pushed out.Speaking further during the media parley, Wike stated that he takes pride in holding powerful individuals accountable, especially when it comes to enforcing laws.
He made the remark while defending his clampdown on non-compliance with ground rent payments, brushing off concerns about potential backlash from the elite.
“The elite should travel and see how things are done in other countries. But they come back here and refuse to obey even the simplest laws,” he said.
According to Wike, the era when powerful individuals could disregard the law without consequences is over.
“That time has passed. Now, if you break the law, something will happen,” he declared.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of Kano over the loss of 20 young athletes in fatal motor accident while returning from the just concluded National Sports Festival, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Minister send his condolence message via a letter he personally signed, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The Minister noted that the loss casts a shadow of grief over the nation, stressing that the lives lost, were promising.
The letter in full:
Letter of Condolence to the People and Government of Kano state on the Passing of Promising Athletes from Kano State
I, Senator (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam, Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kano State, as well as the entire Nigerian nation, on the tragic loss of our promising athletes in a road accident while returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
This heartbreaking event has cast a shadow of grief across our nation. The Ministry and the entire Police ecosystem share in this profound moment of sorrow with the families, friends, and the people of Kano State. I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and all citizens of Kano and Nigeria at large. It is crucial to recognize the invaluable contributions these young athletes made to our sporting community and the nation’s pride. Their dedication and efforts will be forever remembered.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of these energetic and committed young lives. Their legacy of perseverance and passion for excellence will continue to inspire future generations. May their souls find eternal peace, and may Allah SWT grant comfort and strength to their families during this difficult time.
In this moment of mourning, we pray for the swift recovery of those injured and for Allah’s mercy to be upon all who lost their lives.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. May Allah SWT grant Jannatul Firdaus to the departed and provide patience and solace to their loved ones.
