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I-RENEW Promotes Interfaith Understanding through FoRB Workshop at NTA College in Jos
By Abdulkadir Mohammed – Jos
The Inclusive Religious Engagement in Nigeria Enhanced by Women (I-RENEW) project On September 25, 2024, held a Youth and Women-Led Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) sensitization workshop at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) College in Jos, Plateau State. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about religious freedom and foster understanding in tertiary institutions across the state.
The event introduced students to I-RENEW’s objectives, focusing on FoRB and the international and local frameworks protecting it, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The session also addressed the key drivers of religious conflict in Nigeria, particularly on university campuses, while promoting strategies for respectful interfaith engagement. Participants gained clarity on different faiths and beliefs to support peaceful coexistence.
Sumayya Abubakar, Project Coordinator for I-RENEW, explained that the project is a consortium of the European Union, Search for Common Ground, Dialogue, Reconciliation, and Peace Centre (DREP), and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN). According to her, the project focuses on promoting religious freedom and is currently being implemented across various tertiary institutions in Plateau and Kaduna states.
“This is our third outing in Plateau State, following sessions at Plateau State University, Plateau State Polytechnic, University of Jos, and the College of Forestry,” Abubakar noted. “Our goal is to help youth understand the importance of FoRB. Students are catalysts for change, and by including them in this project, we hope to foster a harmonious society that transcends religious and ethnic divides.”
Ahmad Musa Mohammed, a facilitator from FOMWAN, encouraged students to use their newfound understanding of religious freedom to promote peace among their peers. He emphasized that everyone has the right to practice their faith freely, and fostering peace through this understanding is essential.
Danjuma Famicit Churdung, a cohort member with DREP under the I-RENEW project, highlighted the critical role women play in spreading information and shaping the values of the next generation. “Women are the builders of the home, and when they are educated on these matters, they can pass on that knowledge effectively, especially to their children,” he said.
The event received positive feedback from students, with NTA College’s Student Union Government (SUG) President, Akinyoye Emanuel, commending the initiative. “This sensitization is important not just for the present, but for future generations,” Emanuel said. “As media professionals in training, understanding how to work harmoniously with individuals from different religious backgrounds is crucial for our careers and society at large.”
I-RENEW’s sensitization efforts are expected to continue across other campuses, contributing to a more peaceful and inclusive society.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered manufacturers of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml to recall the products nationwide.
The agency also ordered the destruction of the recalled products under its supervision, saying manufacturers will bear the full cost of the exercise.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said the directive followed the signing of an Irrevocable Enforcement Undertaking by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and their member companies.
Under the undertaking, affected manufacturers are required to immediately recall the prohibited alcoholic drinks from distributors, warehouses and other points within the supply chain and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC.
The agency said all recalled products would undergo inventory verification before being destroyed under its supervision.
“The agency wishes to emphasise that all recalled alcoholic products shall be subjected to inventory verification and destruction under NAFDAC supervision in accordance with the terms of the enforcement undertaking,” it noted.
NAFDAC’s supervision
NAFDAC also said manufacturers whose facilities were sealed for producing the prohibited alcoholic drinks would have to “dismantle, permanently disable or reconfigure” the production lines used for the affected pack sizes before their facilities can be reopened.
It said such work must be carried out under the direct supervision and verification of NAFDAC officers.
The agency said reopening of the affected facilities would also depend on full compliance with the recall directive, payment of applicable investigative charges and regulatory fees, successful destruction of recalled products and satisfactory inspection and certification by NAFDAC.
“Companies that fail to comply with the terms of the undertaking risk severe regulatory sanctions,” the agency said.
According to NAFDAC, the sanctions include continued closure of facilities, placement on its Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations and criminal prosecution where applicable.
Why NAFDAC is enforcing the ban
NAFDAC said the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume containers followed years of consultations between regulators, manufacturers and government agencies.
The agency said it first raised concerns in 2018 over the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small bottles, which it described as cheap, easy to conceal and readily accessible to minors.
A five-year moratorium was subsequently agreed with manufacturers in December 2018 to allow them to gradually phase out the products and move to larger packaging.
ALSO READ: NOA, NAFDAC, FCCPC launch nationwide campaign on enforcement of ban on sachet alcohol
The moratorium was initially scheduled to end on 31 January 2024 but was later extended until 31 December 2025.
The full ban took effect on 1 January 2026 and covers alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET bottles below 200ml and glass bottles below 200ml.
NAFDAC said enforcement began with manufacturers in January, while nationwide mop-up operations across markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres followed in July.
The agency said some banned products were still found at distribution centres, leading to the closure of factories and arrest of staff of companies found producing sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC said the enforcement is aimed at reducing underage drinking, alcohol abuse and access to highly concentrated alcoholic beverages in small, inexpensive containers.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report the sale, distribution, or manufacture of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml through NAFDAC’s official communication channels or nearest NAFDAC office,” it added.
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