VP Shettima Mourns Audu Ogbeh, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Iconic Statesman, Agric Revolutionist

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed profound grief over the passing of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, describing his death as an immeasurable loss to Nigeria’s development trajectory and agricultural transformation agenda.

He described the distinguished elder statesman, who died on Saturday at the age of 78, as one of Nigeria’s most dedicated public servants and a visionary leader in agricultural development.

In a condolence message on Sunday, the Vice President said Chief Ogbeh’s contributions to the nation’s food security and rural development will forever remain etched in the country’s development history.

“We have not just lost a former minister; we have lost an architect of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance whose vision and dedication impacted our agricultural development as a nation.

“Chief Audu Ogbeh was among the great public servants of our time, a man whose integrity, service, and unwavering commitment to national development defined his entire public life,” VP Shettima stated.

The Vice President recalled that Chief Ogbeh’s tenure as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was marked by initiatives that revolutionised Nigeria’s agricultural sector and significantly contributed to the nation’s quest for food security.

“His leadership in agriculture was not just about policies and programmes; it was about touching lives, empowering farmers, and building a sustainable future for our rural communities. His vision extended beyond the immediate to encompass generations yet unborn,” Senator Shettima stated.

VP Shettima praised Ogbeh’s distinguished career in public service, noting the late elder statesman’s contributions across various sectors and his unwavering dedication to the ideals of good governance and national development.

The Vice President offered prayers for the repose of Chief Ogbeh’s soul and strength for his bereaved family.

“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, myself, and the entire government of Nigeria, I express our deepest condolences to the immediate and extended families of Chief Audu Ogbeh, the government and people of Benue State, and indeed all Nigerians who have been touched by his exemplary service,” he added.

VP Shettima Mourns Audu Ogbeh, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Iconic Statesman, Agric Revolutionist

Marwa calls for collective action against drug abuse, cultism, banditry

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has called for collective action involving families, religious and community leaders to stem the tide of substance abuse, cultism and banditry among Nigerian youths.

Marwa made the call while delivering the keynote address at a seminar with theme: “Dangers of drug abuse, cultism and banditry among youths”, organized by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state on Saturday

He called on all stakeholders to curb the menace of the inter-linked social vices of illicit drugs, cultism and banditry.

He said the triple threat of cult-related violence, rampant abuse of drugs and illicit substances, and the challenge of banditry across various regions, is a reality that must be dealt with decisively.

He said: “While these issues may appear distinct, they are intricately connected, feeding one another in a cycle of destruction that must be broken if our society is to thrive. Cultism, once largely confined to tertiary institutions, has insidiously spread into secondary schools and neighbourhoods. What began as secret gatherings has transformed into violent confraternities, often manipulated by political or criminal interests. These groups lure young people, often under the guise of brotherhood, protection or empowerment, into a world of fear, violence and premature death. Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power.”

According to him, “It is projected that the number of people using drugs will increase by 40% in Africa. When they say Africa, I want us to think of Nigeria, because Nigeria has one of the highest drug use prevalences in the world.”

He however said that despite the projection by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), all hope is not lost. “As a nation and as communities, we still possess the power to reverse this trend”, he assured.
“The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices. The family unit must be strengthened as the first point of moral instruction, while schools should be safe spaces that promote discipline, mentorship and awareness.

“We must also invest in youth development by creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sports. Idle hands, as we know, are the devil’s workshop. When our young people find purpose and meaning, they are less likely to seek false validation from cults or drugs”, Marwa stated.

On how the NDLEA is responding to the challenge, Marwa said: “We have intensified our war against drug trafficking and abuse. Nationwide raids have led to significant seizures and arrests, which we share weekly on our official channels.

“In the past 54 months, we have arrested 67, 345 traffickers, including 95 barons, and 12, 415 of them are presently serving various jail terms. The barons we have arrested are not anonymous people in society. They include big business people and socialites—some of them have chieftaincy titles—and also government officials, including those tasked with maintaining law and order. That tells how deeply the rot had eaten into the fabric of our society.
“Within the period, we have seized more than 11.2 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms mostly in Southwest States where some people are cultivating cannabis on a large scale, utilising land that should have been used for other cash crops for illicit crops.

“We are also scaling up our Drug Demand Reduction programmes, including school outreaches, community sensitisation and rehabilitation initiatives. We have within the same period conducted 11,584 sensitisatioin lectures in schools, work places, woship centres, motor parks, palaces of traditional rulers and communities, while 27, 187 drug users have been treated and rehabilitated through our 30 rehab facilities across the country in addition to thousands of others who have benefitted from the psychosocial support services provided on our toll-free helpline: 080010203040.”

The NDLEA boss, while challenging other stakeholders, said “we cannot do it alone. We need communities like Ijebu-Ode to partner with us, to speak up, to report suspicious activities and to support our advocacy drives.

“Moreover, security architecture must be enhanced at the grassroots level. Local vigilante groups, properly trained and coordinated, can serve as the eyes and ears of the community, working closely with law enforcement agencies to disrupt cult gatherings and prevent violent incidents.

“We must rekindle the moral and spiritual fabric of our society. We must remind our youth that there is dignity in labour, pride in learning and honour in integrity. The path to greatness is not paved with shortcuts of violence and drugs, but with hard work, vision and purpose.”

He commended the Council of Oloritun for organizing the seminar and the choice of the theme. “Your commitment to community and youth development is clear, and I encourage other councils across Nigeria to emulate this initiative. Let us rise as one people to rescue our children, secure our streets and restore the values that once defined our land”, he added.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Council, Chief Adebisi Adeola Alausa commended Marwa for accepting the Council’s invitation. He said: “Your presence today reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the future of our community and our nation. We are gathered here not merely as individuals, but as a united front, as traditional leaders, government officials, parents, educators, and most importantly, our youths, to confront challenges that threaten the very fabric of our society. The issues we address today, the drug abuse, cultism, and banditry, are not distant problems”

Chairman of the occasion, Senator Lekan Mustapha describe different approaches Marwa as a visionary leader based on his past records of performance as military governor of Borno and Lagos as well as his transformation of NDLEA into reckoning both locally and internationally. “That you honoured our invitation shows your passion for the job, the safety and protection of our youths from drug and other vices”, he added.

Marwa seized the opportunity of his presence in Ijebu Ode to pay the family of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, a condolence visit.

Marwa calls for collective action against drug abuse, cultism, banditry

Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kwara State Police Command, Zone 8 Lokoja, has confirmed the abduction of two women from Edogi community in the early hours of Friday.

The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. when armed men invaded the home of 50-year-old Alhaji Mustapha and took away his wives Shafa’u Mustapha and 35-year-old Fauzat Mustapha.

Upon receiving the report around 8:00 a.m., soldiers, police, vigilante members, and local hunters were mobilized to the scene and began combing nearby bushes in a search-and-rescue mission.

Authorities say investigation is ongoing to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.

Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation