₦airaland Forum

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Bulletin of the World Health Organization | Print version ISSN 0042-9686 | Bull World Health Organ vol.84 n.9 Genebra Sep. 2006

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862006000900005 | http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0042-96862006000900005

© 2017 World Health Organization | Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, Fax.: +41 22 791 4894, Geneva, Genebra, CH, 1211, 41 22 791 4894 | bulletin@who.int |

When our honorary graduand, Professor Dora Akunyili, took up her appointment as director general of NAFDAC, Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, what she found made her very angry. The scandal of counterfeit drugs was all pervading; a World Health Organisation survey had found that more than half the drugs on sale in Nigeria were counterfeit or sub-standard.

Nigerian hospitals were using fake and contaminated drips, surgeons were using fake adrenalin to re-start the heart, anaesthetists were giving sub-strength muscle relaxant to patients in their operating theatres; many of her countrymen and women were fighting killer diseases like malaria and tuberculosis with fake drugs cynically packaged to look like the real thing. As a pharmacist she had always been aware of the problem, indeed, her own diabetic sister died from what Dora is convinced were fake insulin and fake antibiotics.

To root out these fakes, to defeat counterfeiters, to close down the importers and end bribery, to end the large scale corruption that was ruining the health and taking the lives and the hopes of so many, this was the task that this remarkable woman took on 2001 at the personal request of the President of Nigeria, President Obasanjo.

The President summed up his expectations of her stewardship, by giving her the target of turning the Agency around, of achieving effective food and drug regulation with special emphasis on the area of eradication of fake and counterfeit drugs and other regulated products. Without fanfare and in the face of many dissenting opinions, Dora Akunyili took up this challenge.

How has she fared? Before her arrival, NAFDAC, like many other government organisations in Africa, had functioned as little better than a toll-gate. Importers simply paid a bribe to get their products into the market. After the arrival of Dora Akunyili, that changed! But she has not had it easy. She closed down the vast open-air medicines market in Kano for three months while her officers confiscated £140,000 worth of fake drugs. She built a new team of female inspectors and pharmacists (she believes most men are too easily tempted). She began to prosecute importers of fake drugs. She upgraded premises and she upgraded laboratories.

The public applauded, but the counterfeiters fought back. They burnt down NAFDAC offices, trashed the NAFDAC laboratories and threatened the lives of her family. They shot at her in her car – a bullet grazed her skull but she survived. But since her appointment there has been a drop of at least 50% in the quantity of fake drugs on the market and many now owe their lives to her fearless campaign.

Mr Vice-Chancellor – Dora Akunyili states bluntly, "Counterfeit drugs are murder." She has backed her work with plenty of talk to spread the message far and wide. She is well aware that the problem of drugs is not confined to Nigeria, but she believes that raising public awareness has produced dramatic results in Nigeria and urges other nations to be more open. Unsurprisingly, drug companies around the world are justifiably fearful that their brand will be damaged, if news of a fake gets out. Dora Akunyili, however, is not going to back off or relax for one moment!

There is no doubt that Dora Akunyili has accomplished a great deal. Her professional achievements, scholarship and commitment have been recognised over the years by many awards from organisations and governments in Africa, Europe and America, not least her nomination as one of the 'Heroes of our Time' by Time Magazine in New York, and the International Service Human Rights Award which she received at the House of Commons in London, in December last year.

There is no doubt that she has achieved much; not only has she changed NAFDAC, but she has changed the pharmaceutical industry in her country. Perhaps more importantly, she has saved countless lives, and brought sanity to an abused food and drug regulatory regime. She has honoured her profession and served her country diligently, being in the vanguard of those exceptional individuals who are helping to shape a new image for Nigeria and, indeed, for Africa. She sees much more to do ahead. We wish her well and God speed. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-degrees/hondeg06/akunyili.html

aribisala0:
That Alamiesiegha didnot really die?

aribisala0:
Sorry but it was absurd to claim that the prevalence of fake drugs changed with Akunyuli.
You would have us believe that for years before she got there soeone wasmeasuring the pevalence of fake drrugs and just ignoring the data and that she got there and worked some magic.WHere is the evidence

aribisala0:
This is not about research you cannot just come here making absurd clais and expect to get away with it. When called out then saying do research? So if you say There are green men with 3 eyes in Malumfashi I should go and start researching that?
Funny guyn

aribisala0:
You ade the claim what is the basis on which you made the claim? How do you know there was a drop in prevalence of fake drugs because of Akunyuli.

Drop fro what to what?

scholes0:
Hahah mumu, funnily Enough both building on the right of that picture are Houses owned by Yoruba people.

aribisala0:
No I do not but this one would .If youcome to make ridiculous assertions be sure they shall be questioned

aribisala0:
Rubbish ! if such data exists it would be in the public domain.
I would be interested in the methodology used to determine prevalence of fake drugs and what is the definition of "fake drug"

aribisala0:
I thought she was the first , my error

Is there any data on the prevalence of fake drugs? Where can I find it?

sexy74:
I owe you no responsibility to declare to you my relationship with her, and please note is not all that stays with you is a maid if the person is not your biological child.
To your other question she said thank you, but complained how she was offered and made to drink the water.
so please stop to assume on behalf of someone

aribisala0:
1. Old in the sense of advanced in years
2. If you comprehended what you read you will know whether I said that or not

aribisala0:
It is impossible to judge Dora Akunyuli objectively because she was the first and the public do not know what to judge really.

How do we know when NAFDAC are doing a good job?
We need a few organizations in Nigerria to be strong and depoliticized completely and this is one of them. It should not really be about personalities in an organization like this when we consider what really is at stake.

NAFDAC needs to be properly funded to work well and should perhaps be free from TSA strictures

aribisala0:
she is old

Are there no qualified peoplin their 30s and 40s

abdelrahman:
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Thursday declared that Abuja, Lagos are part of Biafra. Leader of the group, Uchenna Madu made the declaration while stressing that every territory in the country where Igbos reside and own major investments are part of “Biafraland.” Addressing a rally in Awgu, Enugu State, Madu said Igbos are against being confined to a particular place. Madu said, “Pro-Biafra groups have adopted a new ideology which stated that any part of the country where a large population of Igbos is found, and where Igbos contributed towards human and material development, is part of Biafra.”

The MASSOB leader also decried the alleged sacking of Igbo traders from a portion of land at Trade Fair and FESTAC in Lagos. Claiming that the Lagos State Government evicted the affected traders after they had invested billions of naira in developing the area, Madu maintained that Igbo would not be forced out from any part of Nigeria due to their investments.

He said, “Some years back a portion of land at Trade Fair and FESTAC were conceded to our people for development in Lagos. “After spending billions of naira in developing this part of Lagos for the economic growth of Nigerian government, today information reaching us is that the Federal Government, conniving with the Lagos State Government, yesterday retrieved the land, the platform, all the investment and everything from the people of Biafra. “This is part of the reason for Biafra agitation.

And we are warning because we now believe that everywhere an Igbo man is is part of Biafra. That is the latest ideology we have. “We don’t want to confine ourselves to a particular place; we now believe that wherever our foot touches is our land that is Biafra. “Lagos is also Biafra, Abuja is also Biafra. Anywhere our people are, that place is Biafra. “So what we are saying now is, that part of Lagos that our people developed with their money is also part of Biafra and we cannot leave.”

Festac town, originally referred to as "Festival Town" or "Festac Village", is a residential estate designed to house the participants of the Second World Festival of Black Arts and Culture of 1977 (Festac77). Consisting of 5,000 contemporary dwelling units and seven major avenues, the town was designed in an efficient grid in order to accommodate upwards of 45,000 visitors as well as any Nigerian employees and officers working at the Festival. The Nigerian government invested substantial sums of money and resources into building Festac Town, which sported state of the art electrical generators, police and fire stations, access to public transportation, supermarkets, banks, health centres, public restrooms, and postal services. The village was therefore intended to evoke the modern age and the promise of state-sponsored economic development fuelled by oil revenues.

After the Festival, the Federal Government of Nigeria allocated the housing and landed properties to eventual winners who participated in a ballot. Initial regulations forbade such winners from renting and disposing-of the properties to third parties. _{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festac_Town}

This huge Housing estate was initially built to accommodate participants of this festival. Festac town was originally named Festival Town till the name FESTAC was known. This festival was initially meant to be held in 1975 during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon but due to political instability, this festival was postponed till 1977 during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s Regime.

Before this festival, it is said that a very large expanse of land which was mostly swamp was them acquired in Lagos state under Decree 40 of 1973 to construct a massive estate which was then re-planned to suit the housing needs for this world festival. This estate as at 1977 consisted of about 5,000 accommodation units, 7 major distinct avenues. This town was prepared to accommodate about visitors as well as any Nigerian employees and officers working at the Festival.

Festival Town was intended to evoke modern age, state of the art and there was promise of state-sponsored economic development fuelled
by oil revenues. A lot of money and resources was invested into the development and building of Festac Town, which included state of the art electrical generators, police and fire stations, access to public transportation, supermarkets, banks, health centres, public restrooms, and postal services etc. At the conclusion of this festival, the federal Government of Nigeria then allocated the accommodation, housing units and landed properties out.

This was done by organising a ballot process which then chose eventual winners. This ballot was conducted under the supervision of Mr S. P. O. Fortune Ebie, first General Manager of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, and administrator of Festac from 1976 to 1983.

This is the very interesting part. The forms that were sold for the ballot was in categories of N2, N3, N5, and N10. At the end, houses were
allocated to winners, on owner-occupier basis, according to the categories as well as people’s level of income at the time. http://www.festaconline.com.ng/festac-town-history-and-background/

The 322-hectares Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC) was concessioned to Aulic in 2007 for N40 billion lease fees to be paid over 30 years. The concessionaire, BusinessDay gathered, paid just an entry fee of N200 million and another N12, 731,000 for the moveable assets till date.

Consequently, the National Council on Privatisation has directed the relevant government authorities to recover the over N6.5 billion lease indebtedness as quickly as possible.

The NCP is further concerned that Aulic also sub-leased portions of trade fair complex illegally to third parties contrary to the requirements of the development plan and without the approval of the management Board as enshrined in the concession contract.

According to presidency sources, the portion of the complex illegally leased by Aulic include the lawn tennis court, opposite trade fair motel, sub-leased to private individuals; a land opposite progressive plaza, which was sub-leased to Motor dealers and allied products association; as well as a land opposite ASPAMDA, which it sub-leased to old Mercedes Trucks Spare Parts and Scrap Metal Dealers’ Association.

Aulic also violated the contract agreement by sub-leasing another land opposite ASPAMDA to Coker Building Materials Dealers’ Association and also a land behind trade fair police station to Chinese Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

On Monday, September 4, 2017, the National Council on Privatisation chaired by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, approved the immediate revocation of the concession to Aulic Nigeria Limited which won the trade fair complex concession in 2007.

The NCP also constituted an inter-agency Interim Management Committee comprising representatives of the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and investment and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to manage LITFC.

It was gathered that at the two days meeting which held at the Presidential Villa, on the 22 and 23rd of August, the NCP Council which is the highest decision making body on policies relating to the privatisation and commercialization policies of the Federal Government mandated the BPE to promptly initiate the process of a new concession transaction to be concluded within six months. The Council was also concerned that the concessionaire had no standard management team in place and therefore, its corporate governance standard was very weak.

The Council also lamented that Aulic Nigeria ltd has made the implementation of its decisions impossible, while making money from illegal leases without any effort to pay the annual lease fees to the federal government, since it took over the complex in 2007.

BuisnessDAY further gathered that the NCP deplored the illegal antics of the concessionaire which has led Aulic Nigeria limited to sublease various parcels of land to individuals and groups and construction works taking place at the areas sub-leased without the approval of the management board of LITFC. https://www.businessdayonline.com/revoked-concession-agreement-lagos-international-trade-fair-complex-presidency/

ChangeIsCostant:
His Majesty, Eze Eri 34th, Eze Aka Ji Ovo Igbo, led his community to the sacred Omambala river at Enugu Aguleri, Anambra state - in order to offer prayers and cleansing in commemoration of the 2017 Eri festival. See photos below;

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2017/11/monarch-leads-community-sacred-river-cleansing-anambra-photos.html

SlayQueenSlayer:
Bini and Kogi people do.

bastian5050:
Does she also have a P.hd in spirituality cos that office needs both guts and fortification ...

TimeMod1:
Dominique don join dem, under that gentle mien is a tribal bigot.

korent265:
actually, that pic wasn't from Cameroon. The supposed break away region in the country also used the images for their propaganda.
On a rumour reporting site for the congo (https://www.kijijichaamani.org/rumour/btQpkE/la-commission-de-mixte-verification-a-constate-avec-beaucoup-demotion) this was put up on the 5th of October while the Cameroonian article was put up on the 25th of October. you would think a national newspaper would perform due diligence before putting up inflammatory news articles.

lionness:
https://ambaland.com/these-are-corpse-discover-in-mamfe-yesterday-yet-all-our-elites-knows-is-to-preach-back-to-school/

These are the pictures of the dead camerounians that the shameless Ibo newspaper is touting as dead iPod's. Shameless useless lying piece of trash fradulent paper just like the people reading it

lionness:
I hate a bunch of people who lie to themselves and celebrate their falsehood. A lie is a lie. If you want to post pictures of your dead folks, post the real ones.

EMMAUGOH:
if they slam truth hammer in your head now... U would start confessing that you are not a yorouba... Why don't you allow your yoroubas to face their problem while u face whatever shitty land u came from..

nightingalee:
I see truth, raw truth. Something a lot more credible than the things you're taught in Sunday school. Have you read our Ultimate Reality authored by Cooper?

1). History of Lagos, Nigeria: The Shaping of an African City by Takiu Folami. ISBN-13: 978-0682497725. 175 pages. Publisher: Exposition Press of Florida; 1st edition (October 1, 1981)

2). Modern and Traditional Elites in the Politics of Lagos by P.D. Cole, (1975). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

3). Urban Transition in Africa: Aspects of Urbanization and Change in Lagos by Kunle Lawal (1993). Pumark Nigeria Limited.

4). Lagos : the development of an African city by A.B Aderibigbe and Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi (1975). Publishers: Longman Nigeria, 1975.

5). Possessed: A history of Law and Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos 1861 – 1906 by Olasupo Shasore SAN. Quramo Publishing Limited (2014).

Automotive1:
[img]http:///a/img922/6582/uUccpB.jpg[/img]

[img]http:///a/img924/8273/VnQK4l.gif[/img]

Students in Switzerland have developed a prototype called Scewo, a wheelchair that can climb stairs by incorporating 3 components of traction.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWctJ58293k

The combination of the agility and comfort of two big wheels to drive around on flat ground and the robustness of tracks to overcome curbs and climb stairs is unique.The rubber tracks allow to smoothly go up and downstairs in a safe manner.

It is still a demonstration prototype and under active development.

Source: https://scewo.ch
google.com

Oloripelebe:
Pls leave them laudate and let them masturbate on the thread

E dey pain dem say Omoluabi s no respond since

voiceofthetruth:
Are you this dumb. Didn't you read what's written there, he was the dean and acting vice chancellor in an Eastern School. Typical hydraulic soup consumer, only juju full your brain. Olodo

hornyofife:
Notable non igbos that schooled in the east. Especially afonja...the list is long, just a few examples

Especially UNN..I think UNN probably has the most powerful and influential alumni.....

Babs Fafunwa, Emeritus Professor of Education; First Dean of the Faculty of Education and Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria (1964 – 1966)

Gabriel O. Ajayi, Professor of Communications, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; first Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Abuja

wristbangle:
God bless u my brother. I would be expecting. Actually it's in sms format ( sending a no to a short code thing) not USSD format

wristbangle:
I don't know if you have any lead on any of the MNO's because I'm working on a project that requires getting a MOU on Short Code from them so that NCC can give us license.

wristbangle:
You are well enlightened in the telecom industry. Do u work in any of MNO's?

OboOlora:
Dunno if it's still applicable till date but I was employed as a CE but an insider hinted me I was already being considered for marketing and a memo was going round for sign off the same day I resumed. Now where I come from, you hit them before they hit u!

AmuDimpka:
As the country’s telecommunication industry is evolving and getting sophisticated , the industry has demonstrated a clear departure from a voice based industry to a data centric one. Stakeholders are worried that the country’s higher institutions aren’t living up to this new paradigm. The Nigerian institution is still churning out half baked graduates, these sets of graduates become a burden to the industry. The industry stakeholders decried the cost of training these graduates and this trend has impacted negatively on their operational expenditure(CAPEX) and limiting their expansion and upgrading programs due to the high cost of training.
https://etimes.com.ng/terf-2017-industry-stakeholders-complain/

TSSautos:
Super clean ride