Dr Paul Orhii, Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has told local and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in food and cosmetics.

"We have a large youthful population that would create the needed market and ensure profit for such investments," Orhii said in Onitsha, Anambra on Friday.

He was speaking after the inauguration of a soap factory built by Orange Drugs Ltd' at Atani, near Onitsha, which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

"This will help to eliminate the influx of fake, adulterated and unwholesome soap and cosmetics products as well as create the needed employment in the country.

"I urge our local entrepreneurs as well as foreign investors from India, Germany, China and the U.S. among other nations to come and invest in Nigeria as government will encourage them," he said.

The director-general lauded the management of Orange Drugs for the factory, adding that the factory was one of the most modern soap factories in the country.

He, however, reiterated the agency's commitment to improving the quality of lives of Nigerians by ensuring that only wholesome products were sold in the country.

"Since I was appointed Director General of NAFDAC, it has been in consistency with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

"The agency will cooperate with genuine investors in the establishment of an industry in the country," he said.

The director-general noted that the factory would source some of of its raw materials locally, to boost the fortunes of Nigerians producing the raw materials.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plant will produce soap noodles for internal consumption and sale to soap-producing companies outside the country.

The factory comprises high-tech and fully-automated saponification process with 12 finishing lines.