NAFDAC's Claim on Student Alcoholism is Baseless - South West Zonal Coordinator, Unity Colleges

 

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been accused of making unsubstantiated claims that students in basic schools are consuming sachet alcohol. South West Zonal Coordinator of Parent Teacher Association of Unity Colleges,Mr. Ayopo Somefun described the claim as "political" and an insult to parents.

Somefun, who is also the PTA Chairman of Federal Government Technical College, Ijebu Imushin, Ogun State, stated that he has visited over 14 unity schools and found no evidence to support NAFDAC's claim. He attributed the statement to an attempt to whip up sentiments against producers of alcoholic drinks.

He stated these in an interview granted to Vanguard News  recently.

The PTA official emphasized that education standards are not poor, but the quality of incentives given to educators is inadequate. He cited examples of Nigerian students excelling abroad, attributing it to the country's education system.

Somefun called on NAFDAC to withdraw the statement, labeling it an insult to parents and an attempt to give a dog a bad name. He suggested that NAFDAC focus on enforcing age restrictions on alcohol consumption instead.

"I have been to Germany, a town Brehme is more or less like a brewery town and there are over 600 breweries in Germany, and children don’t take alcohol or are labelled as alcoholics. The issue NAFDAC should focus on is the enforcement of their advocacy that alcohol is not meant for people below a certain age. Cigarette makers have their own advocacy which says “smokers are liable to die young.” That is what NAFDAC should do, not calling Nigerian children alcoholics. They should not give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. That statement has to be withdrawn and we, parents, take exception to it".

On hawking near schools, Somefun explained that it is a result of economic hardship and lack of school facilities, making it difficult to stop.

He praised the federal government's free technical education and stipends for students, saying it is a step towards industrialization and national greatness.

Somefun emphasized the importance of collective effort in improving education, urging parents, government, and private sector to work together.

He commended the government's School Feeding Programme, saying it addresses hunger and encourages school attendance.

Somefun stressed that technical education should be extended to primary school level to equip students with skills.

He concluded that NAFDAC's claim is baseless and should be retracted to avoid misleading the public.

"Labelling Nigerian children as alcoholics is a statement NAFDAC has to withdraw. It is an insult to the entire parent association in the Southwest and across the country".