![Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye. [PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspaper]](https://crediblenewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/images-6-1.jpeg)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has inaugurated a Taskforce on “Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods” in Ebonyi.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, represented by the South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike inaugurated the taskforce in Abakaliki on Friday.
Adeyeye said the inauguration was part of the agency’s efforts to combat the incidence of counterfeit, fake drugs, and unwholesome processed foods not only in Ebonyi but Nigeria at large.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the taskforce comprised representatives of NAFDAC, the state Ministry of Health, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Police Force.
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Adeyeye urged the people of Ebonyi to stand with the taskforce and forge stronger team in confronting the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and unsafe packaged foods in the state.
“The mandate of the taskforce includes, enforcing standards, conducting intelligence-driven surveillance, removing illegal products from circulation, and strengthening public awareness.
“The taskforce will also support legitimate manufacturers and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators,” he added.
The director-general expressed hope that with the implementation of the taskforce measures, NAFDAC would go a long way in protecting public health, support honest businesses, reduce the economic toll of counterfeit medicines-driven illnesses and inefficiency.
In his remark, Dr Martins Iluyomade, the Chairman, Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, who spoke via Zoom from Lagos, said that the taskforce was backed by an Act of the National Assembly, Cap C34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Iluyomade urged members to see it as service to mankind and ensure that the country was free from fake drugs.
Mr Emeka Orajaka, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Ebonyi, said inauguration of the taskforce became necessary as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Orajaka said that the taskforce was ready to work hard to protect consumers, as well as Nigerians.
Dr Moses Ekuma, Ebonyi State Commissioner of Health, commended NAFDAC and pledged his support to ensure that members of the team succeeded in carrying out their duties.
NAN reports that the administration of the oath of office to members of the state Taskforce was done by Barr Jumbo Washington, the Agency’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate, Asaba.
NAN
