As far as health matters are concerned, no campaign can be enough towards raising awareness on the dangers inherent in certain habits and products hazardous to human life. This is why the recent advocacy by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and sister agencies on the growing threat to vital human organs must be taken seriously, as SUNNY IDACHABA writes.
For the umpteenth time, another government agency, this time, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has joined its voice with earlier voices of reason from other reputable government agencies like the National agency for Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to educate Nigerians about the growing incidence of kidney and liver failures and other diseases affecting vital human organs that are now prevalent.
A lot of assumptions have been made on the prevalence of these ailments with some saying they are purely hereditary; therefore, that’s why they are being transferred from parents of old to their children in modern times. To others, they are strange ailments that ‘powers of darkness’ have invoked on the present generation due to the enormity of wickedness on the land. All these however are without empirical evidence.
The NOA campaign guide
But at a recent public engagement/awareness campaign against such ailments in Kano, the NOA stated that inappropriate lifestyle and persistent consumption/usage of certain products are the reasons for the prevalence of these ailments that are destroying vital human organs; and so advised Nigerians to adjust their usage of those products, some of which are edibles while others are used on the skin.
In particular, it raised alarm over the rising use of harmful chemicals in food preservation, warning that such pose severe health risks to human beings by causing kidney disease, liver failure, hypertension and other life-threatening illnesses.
While taking the awareness campaign to Dawanau Grains Market in the ancient city of Kano that is reputable for selling forced ripe fruits and preserved grains, the acting state director of NOA, Alhaji Rabiu Ado, urged the dealers (grain, fruits and vegetables) to immediately discontinue the practice of using chemicals to extend the life of food products in the name of preservation.
Corroboration
Also, lending his voice during the campaign, the assistant director of NAFDAC in Kano, Danladi Abba, specifically warned against the use of calcium carbonate in food ripening and preservation.
According to him, “Calcium carbonate is strictly approved for use only by welders in melting iron for doors and vehicles. Its application in food preservation is extremely dangerous and must be stopped immediately.”
The awareness campaign equally received endorsements from sister agencies like SON and environmental health officials who all advocated safety methodologies for safer food storage and ultimately towards a sound human health. They cautioned unsuspecting buyers of such products to be wary of unscrupulous Nigerians whose interest is purely their incomes.
Disturbing images, examples
Recently, images of victims down with kidney, liver failures are so prevalent with many on the danger list soliciting for help that in most cases are not forthcoming.
The pen profession, for instance, had in the past lost a number if its men to these ailments. In 2014, an Abuja-based journalist, Ben Bright Mkpuma, answered the eternal call after a prolonged battle with a kidney-related ailment. In his case, colleagues rallied round him, but before he could not be salvaged, it was already late. In the process, he gave up the ghost.
Not long after, a Lagos-based journalist with Daily Independent Newspapers, Emmanuel Okwuke, in 2016, also paid the supreme price over the consumption of food laced with substances not fit for human consumption.
In his case, he was said to have eaten bananas that were forced to ripen with carbide, a poisonous toxin that damaged his lungs and liver leading to his death.
According to the report, the journalist, who until his death was information and communication technology editor of the paper, bought the fruit at Ketu on his way home to avoid late night meals. Unknown to him, he had ‘bought his own death.’ Before he died, he narrated his ordeal, saying after eating the banana on his way home, it began to take a toll on his health when he got home that night.
When he collapsed in a bid to use the toilet that night, he said, “I called my wife, but my voice was not loud enough; somehow, she found me where I was on the floor, very weak. I was rushed to the hospital by her and neighbours, as I was told later.
“I didn’t know where I was until the following day. I was told by the doctor that I had food poisoning. From the test and everything, it was discovered that it was the banana that I ate the previous night that caused the crisis. My wife, Julie, brought the remaining bananas and subsequent tests revealed that they had carbide.”
Today, what remains of Okwuke is his story. The prevalence of this situation calls for concern in order to avoid having an entire generation of endangered species.
Previous warnings
In a related development, it could be recalled that not long ago, NAFDAC issued a public alert regarding the recall of a specific brand of Nivea deodorant after it was flagged by the European Union Rapid Alert System over safety concerns.
According to NAFDAC, the product contains the chemical compound 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde) (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetics due to its potential health risks. The EU authorities had earlier warned that this chemical is associated with severe health hazards, including harm to the reproductive system, potential impairment to the health of an unborn child and skin irritation.
“The recalled product is said to contain a chemical prohibited in cosmetics products due to its ability to cause harm to the reproductive system, impairs the health of an unborn child as well as skin irritation and burns.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned Nivea Roll-on with the affected batch. Members of the public in possession of the affected batch of product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement added.
Following this development, the German multinational company that manufactures the product said its products recently flagged by NAFDAC have been discontinued since 2022 and were no longer sold in Nigeria.
It said, “We wish to assure our esteemed customers that the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria. The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was at the time fully compliant with the valid European cosmetic regulation.”
In compliance, it affirmed its commitment to meeting global safety standards and ensured that its products undergo strict quality checks to meet regulatory requirements.
Authoritative reports
The International Agency for Research on Cancer in a report revealed that one out of every 10 cancer-related cases in the country is traceable to fake alcohol, while 4.7 per cent of all cancer cases in the year 2019 were attributed to the consumption of adulterated alcohol. This is a stark reality of how use of fake and adulterated products can have adverse effects on human life.
According to HealthWatch, harmful substances that are injurious to human vital organs include, abuse of pain relieving tablets without medical caution, abuse of antibiotics such that can be toxic to the kidneys and liver; Iodine-based contrast dyes used in medical imaging; exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury; excessive caffeine consumption; consuming high amounts of sugar and refined carbonated food; processed foods that contain preservatives and artificial flavorings; excessive alcohol consumption; fatty foods/sugary drinks. It also listed tobacco as a potential killer of liver cells; just like exposure to air pollution is also injurious to human health.
