PROTOCOLS
The pleasure of this vote of thanks is twofold: first,
to thank the Commission under the leadership of the DG, for having the presence
of mind to extend this training to our field officers and for giving me the
opportunity to cry over your shoulders.
But, first, let me say that this training will, without
doubt, go a long way in updating our staff on the DSO process and the journey
so far.
Our thanks also go to the able resource persons, for
the expert delivery of the subject matter. We also thank the participants for
coming down from their various destinations. It is our hope that they will make
good use of the training to enlighten others whenever the need arises and to
utilize the knowledge to move the industry forward.
Now, this vote of thanks is not strictly a vote of
thanks; it is also loaded with appeals. May I appeal that a workshop be organized in this zone
on Trado-Medic advertisements? It seems to be the major challenge we face in
this zone.
Trend analysis of medical advertisements which, in
Maiduguri Zone, largely center on Trado-Medic infomercials and jingles shows
that breaches have been progressively proliferating despite NBC’s regulation.
The trend shows that in 2015, less than 10% of the entire breaches were on
Trado-Medic. But, in 2016, it overshot to about 16%. It is alarming that from January to July, 2017,
Trado-Medic advertisements recorded about 20% so far and still counting. To nip
the proliferation in the bud, I propose that a one-day sensitization workshop
be organized for relevant stakeholders which will include, among others:
1.Stations’ Managers
2.Trado-Medic
advertisers/practitioners
3.Some staff
NAFDAC will specifically make presentation on the logic
behind banning spurious/unsubstantiated claims, mentioning symptoms and serious
ailments as well as misleading statements on air by Trado-Medic advertisers.
Like I mentioned earlier, most of these station
managers are very ignorant of the provisions of the code. That’s why when we
insist that Trado-Medic adverts must conform to the provisions of the code,
they tend to send the Trado-Medic vendors to us to teach them how to produce a
breach free jingle.
Other breaches that are likely to pervade the air soon,
especially in Adamawa State, are political broadcast related breaches. As a
matter of fact, they have already started and some of the broadcast stations
had to be given a written warning from NBC HQs.
It is a well-known fact that a high profile politician in the area, who has a presidential ambition, happens to
own three broadcasting stations. People have already started campaigning for
him, and urging him to contest for President in 2019. We had to step in and
stop them promptly. I don’t think this is the last we’ve heard from them on
this issue. A war, they say, is never won until the last battle.
It is, therefore, time for us to be proactive. We can
take the battle to their backyard before they come after us. Sir, may I suggest
we engage them on the issue by convening a meeting of all stakeholders in the zone, to hold in Yola and talk to them about the implication of such
actions.
My last appeal is for the construction of drainage
within this compound. Because there is no provision for drainage in the
compound, we always have ponds right in the backyard. This compound is
surrounded by houses and it’s only through the gate that drainage can pass
through. Unfortunately, the passage to the gate slops backwards. The assistance
of a Civil Engineer has to be sought on how to overcome the problem.
Meanwhile, you may wish to explore the exquisite delicacies of Maiduguri cuisine. You may try the famous Margi Special, Burabusko, Kisre, Kamonia or Ndalayi.
Meanwhile, you may wish to explore the exquisite delicacies of Maiduguri cuisine. You may try the famous Margi Special, Burabusko, Kisre, Kamonia or Ndalayi.
Finally, I thank everybody and I wish you all a safe
journey back home.
Thank you.
