The Ondo state Government, west of Nigeria has banned the production and consumption of locally-made gin, commonly called `ogogoro` in the state.

The ban was reminiscent of the colonial and post colonial time when the gin was declared illegal. Dr. Tai Solarin, the educationist and founder of Mayflower School in IKenne in Ogun state, led a campaign for the lifting of the ban in the 70s.

This time around, the Ondo state government is slamming a ban as a result of the recent health hazards associated with its consumption.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, announced the ban at a news conference in Akure on Saturday.

The commissioner attributed the ban to the outbreak of an unknown disease two weeks ago in Irele Local Government Area of the state.

“Our clinical analysis reveals the fact that there were no known viruses, while toxicology reports have confirmed our prime suspicion of methanol poisoning.

“We have reviewed our strategies and embarked on sensitisation to let people know that locally-made gin is prohibited.

“We will also embark on searches because this batch of methanol-containing gin must have gone round because 4 cases: 2 alive and 2 dead have been found in Odigbo Local Government Area,“ he said.

Adeyanju said that stakeholders such as religious leaders, transporters, youths, market women, and the relevant association would be informed of the development.

He said, “We will start with the entire South Senatorial District, then move to the Central Senatorial District.

According to the commissioner, the unknown disease has so far claimed 23 lives with ten other people receiving treatment.

“Two of them have regained their sights and are back home.

“We appeal to the general public to desist from drinking the gin until we are able to identify the source of contamination or find out how the methanol got into the drinks,“ he said.

The commissioner said that the state government was working closely with the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control and the National Orientation Agency to sensitise members of the public to the dangers of consuming such drinks.