The mass media are indeed globally acknowledged as veritable tool for social, economic and political prosperity. This notion is not an illusion it is rather an assertion of the obvious. The mass media are meant to achieve a variety of functions among which are to entertain, educate, inform, reform, set agenda, provide employment and achieve societal surveillance among others.

They play pivotal roles in the shaping of the society. In Nigeria, the media industry has expanded phenomenally leading to a mass increase in the number of Media firms domiciled in the country.

As a result, the decision of the Paul Orhii administered NAFDAC regime to embrace and extend hands of fellowship to the Nigeria media is drawn from the comprehension that the media is a necessity for grassroots assessment.

Grassroots assessment

A scientific and human health boosting cum life elongating organ as this need be properly connected to the society and citizens it serves. This entails being able to inform, educate, protect, reform its stakeholders a responsibility which requires enormous operational partnership with the media. Established by Decree 15 of 1993 as amended by Decree 19 of 1999 and now the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 which mandates the Agency to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, detergents, medical devices and packaged water collectively tagged- “NAFDAC regulated products” the agency certainly requires absolute partnership with the Media to successfully ventilate information about its scientific health boosting engagements.

Without much trepidation, it has a visionary projection aimed at safeguarding public health, including a patriotic mission of ensuring that only right quality food, drugs and other regulated products of the agency are manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, advertised, sold and used in Nigeria. NAFDAC equally has its core values competently articulated, itemized and streamlined.

To effectively utilize and harness the enormous benefits derivable from associating with the media, there is the inescapable need to adequately equip media professionals on the agency’s mode of operations so as to enable them maximally comprehend its scientific technicalities.

Since the emergence of Dr Orhii as the agency’s chief executive, numerous trainings have been organized for media professionals in both electronic and print media aimed at equipping them with rudimentary knowledge of the agency’s activities, focus, vision which are targeted towards effective and efficient healthcare regulation in the country.

In Port-Harcourt, Rivers State for instance, the agency showcased its multi-million naira corporate and befitting edifice strategically located at plot 5,Worji Crescent while at Agulu, a community in Anambra state in the south eastern part of the country, a unique and outrightly marvelous NAFDAC presence has been established.

Undoubtedly, Dr Orhii has maximally succeeded in developing commendable working relationship with media professionals both in and outside Nigeria and this has greatly rubbed off positively on the agency and its activities as well as helped placed NAFDAC on international pedestal as a leading healthcare regulator with maximum grassroot and global effect while extensively according the nation a prideful place in the comity of nations. Source: Vanguard