The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on Thursday raided two illegal agrochemicals factories involved in adulteration and sale of the commodity within and outside Gombe State.

The illegal factories are located in Kagarawal community in Gombe State.
During the exercise, three suspects in connection with a syndicate specialised in the crime were detained.

Briefing journalists during the exercise, the Gombe State Commandant, NSCDC, Muhammad Mu’azu described the perpetrators of the crime as unpatriotic in view of the damage being done to the food security effort of government.

Mu’azu said that the main suspects had gone out to supply their products and would be arrested as soon as possible.
He said that further investigation would be carried out and upon conclusion, the suspects would be taken to court for prosecution.

He assured that all those in connection with the crime would not be spared as their activities were costing unsuspecting farmers who patronise them their hard-earned money.

Explaining further, Mr Mohammed Alhaji-Bukar, the Director, SON, Gombe State office said that the raid was as a result of intelligence report after carrying out rural markets surveillance.

Alhaji-Bukar said that his agency in collaboration with NSCDC had intensified efforts to rid the state of adulterated agrochemicals to enable farmers get value for their money.

He said that the chemicals found at the illegal factory were used to adulterated pesticides and herbicides before selling to farmers mostly in rural areas.

He said that the suspects buy the real agrochemicals, get their packaging materials, mix them with other chemicals and repackage them for sale.

He said that the suspects take their finished products to various parts of the country, “the main suspect and owner of this factory has gone to Taraba State to supply his products.”

“The products here are of different brands and are all faked; having original containers and labels but fake contents.

“They buy the actual material, active ingredients and then buy the original and packaging materials of the products they use to sell.

“And then mix another chemical and put in those chemicals and sell it out in the name of the product of the real company.

“So you see your product in the market but it was produced here, some of the containers show that the products were made in South Africa, yet the factory is here,” he said.

Alhaji-Bukar warned the his agency in collaboration with NSCDC would sustain their effort to ensure that sub-standard materials do not find their way to the markets.

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to seek official permission before using the national anthem to prevent potential misinterpretation. This directive was issued by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement released on Wednesday, October 8.

While the specific contexts in which permission is required were not detailed, the NOA emphasized its role as the custodian of national symbols, tasked with preventing misuse. “Permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation,” the statement noted.

Issa-Onilu also clarified the proper design of the Nigerian flag, stating that the correct shade of green is Emerald 2.0. He highlighted that past administrations had focused predominantly on infrastructure, neglecting value orientation, which led to the decline of institutions like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the WAI Brigade.

The current administration, however, is committed to reversing this trend, with President Tinubu offering support to the NOA. Issa-Onilu further urged the production of local cartoon content to counter foreign influences affecting young Nigerians.

…Minister of Interior Calls for Unity and Reflection on Nation’s Journey

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who conveyed the government’s message to Nigerians both at home and abroad, congratulating them on this significant occasion.

Tunji-Ojo praised the resilience and hard work of Nigerian citizens, emphasizing that their sacrifices would not be in vain. In line with the theme for the anniversary, he urged Nigerians to reflect on the contributions of the nation’s past heroes and to be inspired for the challenges ahead, emphasizing that a united effort is crucial in building the Nigeria of our dreams.

The Minister extended his best wishes to all citizens for a Happy Independence Day and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their efforts toward nation-building.