No fewer than 6,600 residents of Ekiti Central Senatorial District, have benefitted from the free medical outreach spearheaded by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

The programme, where thousands of residents were treated free for hypertension, visual impairments, diabetes, blood sugar and ante natal treatments, hepatitis test and family planning counselling, kicked off in Iyin Ekiti, in Ekiti Central Senatorial District last week Monday, and was extended to all the five local governments that composed the district .

Speaking while wrapping up the medical intervention programme at Iworoko Ekiti, on Tuesday, Senator Bamidele disclosed that the gesture was specifically devised to increase the life expectancy of the Ekiti populace.

The Federal lawmaker, represented by his Senior Legislative Assistant, Mr. Bunmi Oguntuase, added that the medical programme, jointly prosecuted by himself in partnership with the Industrial Arbitration Panel, was targeted at lifting the burden off the shoulders of those suffering any form of ailment that could end their lives at primes.

The Senate Leader was upbeat that the programme had succeeded in helping those with underlying ailments to realise their health status, so that they can begin to proffer solutions to them.

Senator Bamidele saluted his constituents for trooping out en masse to participate in the programme, expressing confidence that many must have been loosened from their different medical afflictions pummeling their lives and constituting dangers to their existence.

“This programme was specifically conceptualised to intervene in some of the medical afflictions being suffered by my people. A total of 6,600 patients were treated for various ailments. Some diseases were just diagnosed in the course of being attended to.

“A total of 1,525 free eye glasses were distributed to those suffering visual impairments. With these, they can now have their sights restored or corrected, so that they can live normal lives.

“We all know that health is wealth, we will continue to come up with people-oriented programmes that will make positive impacts in the lives of our people; this is the essence of democracy. All the government’s programmes must be designed to benefit the masses, the common men on the streets, regardless of their political leanings”, he said.

Senator Bamidele said the programme was geared towards backing the Human Capital Development strides of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, where Healthcare delivery with Universal Health Coverage as a focal point and pivotal pillar of the administration.

A community leader and Onisara of Igbemo Ekiti, Chief Adetunji Agamago, praised the Senate Leader for the gesture, saying the programme will help in boosting the health status of the residents.

Chief Agamago, who was one of the beneficiaries, urged the participants to strictly adhere to their drug regimens, as prescribed by medical experts, so that their health can be restored for them to enjoy normal and elongated lives.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered the availability of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly smuggled brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S.

Joao, Alvean and Arapora Bionergia. The products, which failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, pose serious health risks to consumers, undermine the integrity of the local sugar industry, and contribute to price manipulation that harms the market.

Acting on a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East.

According to a statement from the Director, Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, the investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labeling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.

“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being. The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women”

“The FCCPC is also deeply concerned about the economic impact of these products. The influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards. Importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers, while pretending that the products are genuine. This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market”.

The statement explains that the smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighboring countries such as Cameroun and Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.

“FCCPC wishes to reassure the general public that, consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, it is taking decisive steps to address this issue. The Commission is committed to educating consumers about the dangers of non-fortified and substandard sugar products through nationwide awareness campaigns. Nigerian consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labeling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification”

“The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies. These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products and the FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market”.

It advised consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard or unregistered sugar products to the FCCPC. Reports can be made through the Commission’s email, contact@fccpc.gov.ng, or its official social media channels.

The senate suspended the house rules on Tuesday to admit family members and close relatives of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah for the commencement of a valedictory session in his honour.

During the service, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio began by zeroing in attention to the seat of their former colleague, draped with the Nigerian flag and four symbolic candles.

He noted that the day has been dedicated to the memory of the late Anambra Senator who died on the 27th of July, 2024 at the age of 52.He further described the late businessman from Otolo, Nnewi North as a visionary with extraordinary empathy for all and a champion for economic empowerment and community development.

Akpabio described Ubah’s death as a huge deficit in the political terrain of the country.