Ogogoro being sold in various bottles

The Ondo state Government, west of Nigeria
has banned the production and consumption
of locally-made gin, commonly called
`ogogoro` in the state.
The ban was reminiscent of the colonial and
post colonial time when the gin was declared
illegal. Dr. Tai Solarin, the educationist and
founder of Mayflower School in IKenne in
Ogun state, led a campaign for the lifting of
the ban in the 70s.

This time around, the Ondo state
government is slamming a ban as a result of
the recent health hazards associated with its
consumption.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo
Adeyanju, announced the ban at a news
conference in Akure on Saturday.
The commissioner attributed the ban to the
outbreak of an unknown disease two weeks
ago in Irele Local Government Area of the
state.

“Our clinical analysis reveals the fact that
there were no known viruses, while
toxicology reports have confirmed our prime
suspicion of methanol poisoning.

“We have reviewed our strategies and
embarked on sensitisation to let people
know that locally-made gin is prohibited.
“We will also embark on searches because
this batch of methanol-containing gin must
have gone round because 4 cases: 2 alive and
2 dead have been found in Odigbo Local
Government Area,“ he said.

Adeyanju said that stakeholders such as
religious leaders, transporters, youths,
market women, and the relevant association
would be informed of the development.
He said, “We will start with the entire South
Senatorial District, then move to the Central
Senatorial District.
According to the commissioner, the unknown
disease has so far claimed 23 lives with ten
other people receiving treatment.
“Two of them have regained their sights and
are back home.

“We appeal to the general public to desist
from drinking the gin until we are able to
identify the source of contamination or find
out how the methanol got into the drinks,“
he said.

The commissioner said that the state
government was working closely with the
National Agency for Food, Drug
Administration and Control and the National
Orientation Agency to sensitise members of
the public to the dangers of consuming such
drinks.

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Cc. lalasticlala ishilove