National News
NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu

NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will soon commission it’s brand new ultra-modern edifice in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
The building which has reached advanced stages of completion along Gujiba road axis of Damaturu would contain sophisticated laboratories for staff to work and several offices and stores.
The edifice is expected to be commissioned by the Director General of the agency Professor Mojisola Adeyeye before the end of the year.
Giving the hint while chatting with metrowatchonline in Damaturu, coordinator of the NAFDAC office in Yobe, Musa Lawan said that for the first time, the young state shall have a very conducive working atmosphere for all it’s scientists to be able to operate from by giving their best to the various demands of the job.
Reviewing activities of 2021, Lawan said that about N576.5 m worth of drugs were destroyed by the North East zone of NAFDAC of which Yobe state was a major contributor.
Musa who chatted with metrowatch in his office in Damaturu revealed that a large chunk of the destroyed drugs from the north east zone were seized in Potiskum which has remained a major supplier of fake drugs in the state.
He told metrowatch online that it was the duty of all residents to help in the exposure of drug cartels so that the prevalence of unwholesome drugs in the state will be reduced to the barest minimum.
The State coordinator stated that the most challenged areas of his agency in terms of operation is not the state capital but Potiskum because of its proximity to the metropolitan city of Kano where they get their supplies.
On fake and substandard drugs, the coordinator said that Yobe contributed a large chunk of the over N500m worth of drugs destroyed in the Gombe zone last year by NAFDAC operatives.
” I personally witnessed the destruction of the drugs which if consumed would have been harmful to our people. And most of our unwholesome drugs in Yobe sadly come from Potiskum.
” It has a high menace of sub-standard drugs. This is because 90 percent of unregistered chemist shops which sell such drugs are found in the town.”
To ameliorate this problem, NAFDAC Yobe office has two outposts apart from the head office in the Federal Secretariat and one of such posts has been perched in Potiskum.
“We were able to create 2 senatorial zones to cover the state effectively since I assumed duty. Gashua/Nguru and the Potiskum zone. That has enabled us to close down several unregistered outfits selling unwholesome drugs to the people.
Alhaji Musa said that for effective combat of the scourge, his agency had been working with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to create easy solutions to daring cases formed by cartels which needs to be nipped in the bud quickly.
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He commended the media equally which he said has been giving them serious support in their drive to take down drugs like tramadol and others which have been banned by the government.
Speaking on challenges, the coordinator said ” our major challenge is the lingering insurgency. To avoid being attacked, we have to disguise as much as possible when going out on field assignments.
“This is the only way we can avoid being attacked by them. We need more vehicles to enable us to navigate through dangerous terrains like Gulani and environs to do the job.
“Most of the areas we have insurgency problems are Gujiba and Gaidam. We do use escorts whenever we are going to such dangerous areas.
” All our personnel are alive and doing well as we did not lose any of our staff during the heat of the insurgency which affected the state last year.”
He commended the Director General of his agency Professor Adeyeye and the Yobe state government for supporting them in building their permanent site along Gujiba road near the central bank of Nigeria (CBN).
On food and non food items, the coordinator revealed that they have been on top of their challenges taking each day as it comes.
NAFDAC will soon commission it’s ultra-modern structure in Damaturu
National News
Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism

Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism
By: Zagazola Makama
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the true meaning of jihad, noting that it is not about violence but about striving for excellence in all spheres of life.
The Sultan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He cautioned against misinterpretations of Islamic concepts, saying extremists and uninformed commentators had for decades wrongly associated jihad with terrorism and violence against non-Muslims.
“Jihad simply means striving — striving to be a better Muslim, a better Christian, a better citizen, and a better human being. It is not about killing anyone. Islam abhors extremism, and no true Muslim can claim to follow the teachings of the Prophet while embracing violence,” the Sultan said.
He explained that Islam, properly understood, promotes peaceful coexistence and good governance, adding that Islamic teachings have over the years helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey by emphasising justice, accountability, and leadership responsibility.
According to him, Islamic institutions such as mosques, scholars, and traditional councils continue to play a stabilising role in the country by mediating conflicts, guiding leaders, and educating citizens on tolerance and civic duties.
“Islam is not about seizing power; it is about ensuring good governance and accountability in society. Our democracy has benefitted from these values because justice and fairness are principles rooted both in the Qur’an and in democratic practice,” he said.
The Sultan also called for stronger interfaith dialogue, stressing that Nigeria’s unity depends on mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims.
“If I know who you are, and you know who I am, we can live in peace. Understanding one another is the foundation for national security and stability,” he added.
He commended Gen. Irabor for writing the book, describing it as a timely resource that not only documents the scars of insurgency but also provides insights for policy, governance, and national healing.
The launch attracted dignitaries including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, senior military officers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism
National News
Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions

Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions
By Hamza Suleiman
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Boko Haram insurgency remains one of the most complex and enduring security challenges in Nigeria’s history, warning that military action alone cannot end the crisis.
Jonathan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd).
He said that unlike previous crises in Nigeria such as the Niger Delta militancy and ethno-religious violence, the Boko Haram insurgency carried deeper scars because of its external connections, extremist ideology, and advanced weaponry.
“Boko Haram is more complex than what many people imagine. At some point, their fighters had more ammunition than our soldiers, which clearly showed that external groups were deeply involved,” Jonathan said.
The former President noted that the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 remained one of the most painful scars of his administration, stressing that no form of cosmetic remedy could erase it from the nation’s collective memory.
He recalled his personal engagement with Niger Delta militants as Vice President, saying that his decision to personally visit their camps without armed escorts was borne out of the conviction that dialogue must complement military action.
“In the Niger Delta, I met the militants in their camps. We succeeded in restoring peace not only because of military action but because we engaged them, listened to them, and created opportunities for their communities. That approach worked,” he said.
Jonathan, however, emphasised that Boko Haram presented a different challenge. According to him, the insurgency must be tackled through a holistic strategy that combines security operations with good governance, poverty reduction, youth empowerment, and social justice.
He said: “We cannot treat Boko Haram simply as a law-and-order problem. It is rooted in poverty, exclusion, and broken dreams. Only a comprehensive approach will deliver lasting peace.”
According to him, Nigeria must adopt a similar approach to Boko Haram by tackling poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion in communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
He commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his reflections, saying the book would enrich national understanding of insurgency and guide future leaders in shaping policy responses.
“Those who were directly involved must tell their stories. This book will help the nation understand what really happened, what lessons we must learn, and how we can do better in the future,” he added.
The event attracted dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), service chiefs, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers.
Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions
National News
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
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