- Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin’s supporters protested against NAFDAC’s scrutiny of his spiritual products
- They claimed spiritual products do not need NAFDAC’s approval and ask the agency to leave the cleric alone
- Nigerians reacted and told the prophet to sell his spiritual products in the spiritual world; others asked the government to tax him
Some Christians and church leaders have stormed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control office in Asaba to protest against NAFDAC’s scrutiny of Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin’s spiritual products.
The protesters included members of Fufeyin’s church, Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, Christians from other churches and Bishops.
They stormed the NAFDAC office in the heavy rain on Tuesday, September 10, with placards saying “Spiritual products have spiritual backing, don’t need NAFDAC approval, When it comes to spiritual, respect it among others” and “NAFDAC should leave Prophet Fufeyin alone.”
According to TheNation, “Rector, Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Most Reverend Bishop Callixtus Oke, who spoke with reporters, condemned the actions of NAFDAC.
“Oke was accompanied by seven bishops, including Most Reverend Professor Samuel Baba, Metropolitan Archbishop, and Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria.
“He said Prophet Fufeyin was being stigmatised while on his pastoral assignment, stressing that the agency which is a creation of the law is acting beyond its boundaries.
“He called for a halt to the media trial of Prophet Fufeyin by the agency, adding that Nafdac has exceeded its bounds by sealing the water manufacturing facility of the church.”
“He said NAFDAC lacks the power to regulate spiritual items, stressing Jesus Christ permitted the use of water, salt, oil and candles.
“According to him, members of a religious faith may purchase sacramentals which he said was authorised by Jesus Christ,” The Nation reported.
Nigerians react to the protest of Fufeyin’s supporters
While reacting to the protest, some Nigerians said the prophet’s “spiritual products” should be free since they are spiritual. Others asked that the products be sold in the spiritual world. While some netizens stood by NAFDAC and called for the products to be investigated, others believed the prophet is only a businessman and should be taxed.
Here are some of the comments:
@Roodie77 posted: “Religion is business 👨💼 I won’t blame this CEO he’s fighting for his company, church should be taxed.”
@IEnakhena posted: “Any product that necessary deemed as unhealthy to consume is within the purview of NAFDAC. The holy water as it is, is not necessary about spiritual rebirth only, it has become a humongous business. The moment it is monetized, NAFDAC will not sit around and allow this product to endanger the life of folks that innocently consume this product.”
@Dazzle_3D posted: “If it's a spiritual product, then it should be delivered spiritually. Once it is delivered to be public as a physical substance to be consumed, it falls under the purview of NAFDAC.”
@akowonjoking posted: “Then sell your spiritual products to the spirits.”
@edenamoris posted: “But you are accepting currency printed by government in exchange.”
@blossomuche1 posted: “Then do not bring “spiritual matters” into Nafdac space.Dont produce, water, bread, cream etc 😆these attracts Nafdac.just use Prayer that's the only spiritual matter recommended by the holy book 😂.”
@tg_ekanem posted: “Spiritual products are not sold with money, once it is marketed online or offline, then it turns to goods and services, thus it must pass through same regulations as other goods and services.”
@egwim_daniel posted: “You forgot that the products were physically produced so it can function spiritually. NAFDAC is working on the physical production sir, you didn't use spiritual materials to produce it, u used physical materials so it has to go through physical approval before spiritual usage.”
@lion__heart01 posted: “Make e go sell am for spiritual world and make the things be in spirit. If e come physically, we go scrutinize am. E be like craze dey worry this man.”
@Rinsoye_d posted: “But your spiritual products have fake nafdac number abi 😂😂😂😂”
@kaynmcben posted: “If you want to operate on spiritual level abandon your canal /physical entity ..Nafdac is a canal entity like those items you brand to sell.”
@LordRiki04 posted: “Everything about christianity is Spiritual, until it comes to offering and tithe. They all need physical papernote (hard currency )”
@busayo_iyiola posted: “If you want to sell your spiritual products, you don't need to put NAFDAC no on them. Bcos they are spiritual products!”
“Wetin kon be original for Nigeria?” NAFDAC warns against fake Milo in circulation
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Bauchi State commenced a three-day exercise in markets to mop up fake Milo chocolate drinks in circulation.
The State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Kamai, made this known on Wednesday, August 22, in Bauchi.