Rivers and Lagos states top the list in the consumption of alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles among minors and underage persons, according to a nationwide survey by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The survey, conducted by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and carried out by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, covered 1,788 respondents across six states between June and August 2021.

NAFDAC said the study examined access to alcohol and drinking frequency among minors below 13 years, underaged persons aged 13 to 17 years, and adults aged 18 years and above.

Presenting the findings on Tuesday, February 3, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, said alcohol remains “one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths”.

She added that “the availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors.”

According to the report, “54.3 per cent of minors and underage respondents obtained alcohol by themselves. Nearly half (49.9 per cent) purchased drinks in sachets or PET bottles, with Rivers State recording the highest rates, 68.0 per cent for sachets and 64.5 per cent for PET bottles.”

“Lagos followed with 52.3 per cent and 47.7 per cent, respectively, while Kaduna recorded 38.6 per cent sachet and 28.4 per cent PET bottle consumption,” the report stated.

It further noted that “the proportion of drinks procured in sachets was higher among males (51.4 per cent) compared to females (41.5 per cent), and more in rural (50.1 per cent) compared to urban (45.3 per cent) locations.”

The report also revealed that minors and underaged respondents accessed alcohol through other channels, including friends and relatives (49.9 per cent), social gatherings (45.9 per cent), and parents’ homes (21.7 per cent).

Among respondents who purchased alcohol themselves, the survey found that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underaged persons bought drinks in sachets, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of underaged respondents procured alcohol in PET bottles.

On drinking frequency, the report showed that 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of underaged persons were occasional drinkers.

However, 9.3 per cent of minors and 25.2 per cent of underaged respondents reported consuming alcohol daily.

The report called for stricter regulation, stating that “access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available.”

It added: “A ban on small pack sizes, including sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres, can reduce the menace of underage drinking.”

The report further urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and communities to take responsibility, warning that “consumption of alcohol by children should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the community at large.”

According to NAFDAC, the findings highlight the need for stronger policy interventions and sustained public awareness campaigns to curb underage drinking in both urban and rural communities across Nigeria.

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Six passengers have lost their lives, and 23 others were injured in a road crash around the Four Square Camp along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident on Monday. According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Odunsin Afolabi, the crash occurred at about 11:27 a.m., involving a DAF CF 380 trailer with registration number SNA 287 XA. The FRSC rescue team reached the scene within two minutes, Channel Television reported.

Afolabi said fatigue and speeding caused the driver to lose control. He also warned against mixing passengers with cattle during transit, which increases the risk of accidents.

The injured and deceased were taken to Oreoluwa Hospital, GOFAMINT Camp, Ogunmakin, and Victory Hospital, Ogere.

The FRSC reminded drivers to service and inspect commercial vehicles regularly, maintain safe speeds, and observe road safety rules, especially on expressways.

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The Lagos State Government has warned against the assumption of chieftaincy titles without official approval, declaring that violators will face arrest and prosecution under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 2015.

In a public statement signed by Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, the state described the trend of self-proclaimed traditional rulers as “an unhealthy development” that has caused “tension, confusion, and needless crises.”

The statement explained that such unauthorised titles, particularly those using appellations equivalent to “Oba,” “His Royal Majesty,” or “His Royal Highness,” are illegal. “The preponderance of these self-acclaimed Chieftaincy titles has reached an alarming level, rendering efforts at curbing these untoward excesses largely ineffective,” it said.

The government emphasised that the Governor, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, is the only authority empowered to approve chieftaincy titles in Lagos State. Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 of the 2015 law clearly outline the procedures for filling vacancies and granting such titles.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that Section 21, Paragraphs 2(a-d), and Section 23, Paragraphs (a & b) prohibit the assumption of royal titles and the use of royal paraphernalia, including beaded crowns, beaded shoes, staffs, and horse whisks (irukere), by anyone not recognised by the government. “The State Government is set to enforce the law and, henceforth, bring violators to justice,” it added.

The statement warned that any chieftaincy title conferred without the Governor’s approval is null and void, adding that offenders will face up to two years imprisonment as prescribed by the law.
“Such actions will be viewed strongly as a deliberate infraction and affront on the traditional institution in the State,” it said.

Individuals currently holding unauthorised titles were urged to desist immediately. “Failure to comply with this directive may result in necessary actions, including legal proceedings in accordance with the extant laws,” the statement noted.

The government also called on residents to report any instances of unauthorised conferment of chieftaincy titles to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development or security agencies for prompt action.

Commissioner Robert said the measures are necessary to “protect and uphold the sanctity and integrity of the traditional institution in the State and preserve our most cherished culture and tradition from disrepute.”

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