News
WHO Gives Alert Over Contaminated Cough Syrups in India
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The World Health Organisation sounded an alert on Monday, warning about three contaminated cough syrups identified in India.
The WHO identified the contaminated cough syrups as batches of COLDRIF, Respifresh TR and ReLife, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma
The UN body warned that the contaminated products pose significant risks to patients and can cause severe and potentially life-threatening illness.
The WHO stated that the three substandard (contaminated) oral liquid medicines identified in India were reported to the organisation on October 8, 2025.
“The affected products are oral liquid medicines containing active ingredients commonly used to relieve symptoms of the common cold, flu, or cough.
“On October 8, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) of India reported to WHO the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in at least three oral liquid medicines.
“This followed information identified by WHO on September 30, 2025, of localised clusters of acute illness and child fatalities in India. CDSCO informed WHO that the contaminated products were reportedly consumed by the affected children.
“The contaminated oral liquid medicines have been identified to be specific batches of COLDRIF, Respifresh TR and ReLife, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma,” it said.
The global health body noted that CDSCO has confirmed that relevant state authorities have ordered an immediate halt to production at implicated manufacturing sites and have suspended product authorisations.
In addition, a recall of the contaminated products has been initiated by the relevant state authorities.
“The CDSCO has informed WHO that none of the contaminated medicines have been exported from India, and there is currently no evidence of illegal export. Nevertheless, the WHO encourages National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to consider targeted market surveillance, with particular attention to informal and unregulated supply chains where products may circulate undetected. NRAs are also advised to carefully evaluate the risks associated with any oral liquid medicines originating from the same manufacturing sites—particularly those produced since December 2024.
WHO continues to collaborate closely with Indian health authorities to monitor the situation, identify the source of the contamination and mitigate any potential public health risks.
“The products identified in this alert are considered substandard as they fail to meet their quality standards and their specifications. These contaminated products pose significant risks to patients and can cause severe and potentially life-threatening illness. Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal,” WHO emphasised.
It said the contaminated oral liquid medicines referenced in the alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death.
National regulatory authorities/health authorities, and law enforcement authorities are advised to immediately notify WHO if these products are detected in their country.
“If you have any of these products, 11aWHO recommends that you do not use them. If you, or someone you know, has, or may have, used these products, or suffered an adverse event or unexpected side-effect after use, seek immediate medical advice from a health-care professional or contact a poisons control centre.
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Ogun: 2026 Budget Expansion Driven by Massive Infrastructure Pipeline, Revenue Growth, Economic Reforms — Okubadejo
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The Ogun State Government has attributed the expansion of its 2026 budget to an aggressive infrastructure development pipeline, rising internally generated revenue (IGR), and sweeping economic reforms aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s foremost industrial and logistics hub, as the budget increased to 58%.
This was stated by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, during a media parley on the breakdown of the 2026 budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Legacy,” held at Oke-Mosan on Tuesday. He stated that the scale of ongoing and proposed capital projects necessitated a larger fiscal framework.
Okubadejo emphasised that a major driver of the expanded budget is the development of two dry ports currently in the pipeline. One of the ports is being funded by the Federal Government, while the second is being executed through a public-private partnership arrangement with a private sector investor.
He posited that the dry ports are expected to significantly ease the movement of goods, support exports, and reduce logistics costs for more than 80 manufacturing factories operating across the state.
Okubadejo explained that the initiative aligns with Ogun’s status as Nigeria’s industrial capital, noting that improved logistics infrastructure would further accelerate industrial productivity, attract new investments, and strengthen trade competitiveness.
He added that budget growth is also linked to renewed activities around the Olokola Free Trade Zone and the proposed Olokola Deep Sea Port.
“The developments, coupled with the recent announcement of oil discovery in the area, are expected to unlock new revenue streams for the state once commercial evaluations are concluded, potentially paving the way for Ogun to attain oil-producing status”
In the transport sector, the Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, disclosed plans to extend the Lagos Red Line Rail and Lagos Blue Line Rail projects into Ogun State to enhance mobility.
Dairo said the rail expansion would improve commuter movement, boost daily economic activities, and further integrate Ogun into regional and national transportation networks.
He noted that road infrastructure would feature prominently in the state’s capital expenditure drive.
According to him, the administration has reconstructed and rehabilitated several strategic corridors, including the 42-kilometre interchange road linking Lagos to Abeokuta. Since its completion, the road has reportedly triggered a surge in industrial and commercial activities along the axis.
He added that other key roads connecting border towns such as Ikorodu, Ogijo, and Sagamu have been upgraded to facilitate the smooth movement of goods, services, and people.
While further explaining Okubadejo noted that improved infrastructure has encouraged increased migration into the state, fueling demand for housing and reinforcing what he described as a growing housing and power revolution across Ogun.
Speaking on state’s debt Okubadejo stressed that debt sustainability remains strong, with careful structuring of loan tenors, interest rates, and repayment schedules.
He disclosed that as of 2025, Ogun State’s domestic debt stood at approximately ₦194 billion, compared to ₦133 billion in 2019, while foreign debt levels have been affected mainly by exchange rate depreciation.
Okubadejo also highlighted pension reforms as a key component of the state’s economic restructuring, citing improved remittance consistency and the gradual transition to a fully operational contributory pension scheme.
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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved cash rewards totalling over ₦450 million for athletes and officials of Team Ogun following the state’s outstanding performance at the just-concluded National Sports Festival.
The governor announced this on Monday during the cash award ceremony held in honour of medalists, noting that Ogun State finished second overall with 239 medals, its best performance in the history of the festival.
Abiodun described the achievement as a testament to the steady growth of sports development in the state, stressing that his administration remains committed to recognising excellence.
He disclosed that all training allowances, participation allowances and contractual fees owed athletes and officials had been fully settled.
According to him, immediate cash rewards earlier promised during his visit to the athletes’ camp were promptly fulfilled, including ₦50,000 paid to every qualified athlete and instant bonuses for medal winners before the festival’s closing ceremony.
The governor announced a historic reward package for medalists, including₦2.5 million each for 93 gold medalists; ₦1.5 million each for 61 silver medalists, and ₦1 million each for 81 bronze medalists.
He added that additional provisions were approved for athletes in team sports to acknowledge their collective contributions.
Abiodun said the gesture was aimed at motivating athletes and encouraging young people across Ogun State to embrace sports as a viable career path.
The governor also approved special financial support for technical officials, announcing ₦10 million for coaches through the Director of Coaching and ₦14.8 million for participating officials via the Director of Administration and Supply.
He commended their discipline, mentorship and professionalism, describing them as key drivers of Team Ogun’s success.
Abiodun highlighted the transformation of the sports sector in Ogun State, citing increased hosting of international competitions, improved sporting infrastructure, and greater utilisation of facilities by national teams and leagues.
He expressed appreciation to sports administrators, private sector partners and other stakeholders for supporting the growth of sports in the state.
Looking ahead to the next National Sports Festival in Enugu, the governor urged athletes to remain focused and encouraged aspiring talents to participate in open trials and development programmes.
He congratulated Team Ogun for making the state proud and reaffirmed his administration’s continued investment in sports development.
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The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has concluded a two-day capacity-building training programme aimed at deepening institutional understanding of the newly introduced tax reforms and enhancing the operational efficiency of its tax officials.
The programme, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was themed “Navigating the New Tax Reforms.” It was designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and practical skills for effective implementation of updated tax policies, while strengthening revenue administration across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye, said the training underscored the Service’s commitment to professionalism, continuous learning, and improved service delivery in line with ongoing fiscal reforms.
According to him, the initiative was structured to help officers unlearn obsolete practices and embrace emerging standards in tax administration.
“Let us get things right and remain open to learning, training and enlightenment. Through this, we sharpen our skills. This programme is meant for us to unlearn and re-learn,” he stated.
One of the resource persons, the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr. Zaid Abubakar, explained that the new tax reforms were designed to establish a uniform tax system in Nigeria and harmonise tax administration across all tiers of government.
He noted that the reforms were citizen-centred, aimed at reducing the tax burden on Nigerians and simplifying tax payment processes.
Dr. Abubakar added that effective communication and public sensitisation were critical to fostering public trust and understanding of the reforms, stressing that accountability remained central to the new tax framework in order to drive sustainable revenue generation.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of D&A Associates, Mrs. Stella Olaleye, emphasised that leadership is defined by mindset rather than position.
She encouraged leaders to pursue collective success by empowering their subordinates, leading by example, and demonstrating empathy. She highlighted the five levels of leadership as positional, permission, production, people development (reproduction), and pinnacle.
In her presentation, a facilitator from D&A Associates, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Olukoga, delivered a session on emotional intelligence in the workplace.
She explained that emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing one’s emotions while empathising with others. She urged participants to cultivate active listening, self-reflection, and positive responses to constructive criticism, while also stressing the importance of punctuality, appropriate dressing, courteous language, and attentive listening as core workplace etiquette.
In their separate remarks, the Coordinating Director, Mr. Taiwo Ogundimu, and the Director of Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwaseun Olajube, commended the OGIRS Chairman and organisers for the timely initiative.
They expressed confidence that the programme would better position tax officials to educate taxpayers on the new reforms and apply the knowledge gained effectively in the discharge of their duties.
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