News
Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders

Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has declared all round war against drug barons, instructing all commanders of the agency at different level to go all out and smoke out those still in hiding.
He as well ordered for the dismantling of all drug cartels as part of ongoing efforts to totally cut off drug supply which he insisted would drastically reduced growing insecurity and criminalities in the country.
Marwa gave the charge in his meeting with directors and all commanding officers of the agency at the national headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja, where he commended them for the unprecedented successes achieved so far and tasked them not to rest on their oars.
He said no effort must be spared to remove illicit drug equation from the security challenges facing the country.

According to him, “Within the limit of our resources, we have been able to push boundaries. The statistics of our operations, empirical facts from the field, the general anti-illicit drug climate we have built and the rapport between us and our domestic and international partners, all speak volumes about how we are faring, especially against the backdrop of where we are coming from, of what the situation used to be a few years ago.
“Commendations apart, we also cannot afford not to tell ourselves the plain truth; we still have a long way to go. Hence commanders, officers and men of NDLEA can’t afford to rest on their oars.
“Yes, we have kept the flag of performance flying, but there’s still room for improvement. There is still much to do. And we cannot afford to be complacent now as we have committed to a lot of ongoing efforts to improve our operational capabilities. We are constantly engaging stakeholders within and outside the country to support and help optimise our capabilities. So, if anything, our performance should justify these ongoing efforts. We need to remind ourselves that to achieve our mandate, professionalism and discipline must be maintained at all times and in all our operations.
“We’re working with relevant authorities for improved funding so that we can comprehensively and holistically play our role as part and parcel of the solution to the security challenges facing the nation because if we are able to totally cut the access to and availability of drugs to the criminals, we would have effectively tampered with their nefarious activities and so we’re going to plead for enhanced funding to do more things in support of the fight against insecurity and I trust that the President will give us a listening ear because he’s interested in the progress of the NDLEA.
“This year, we want to raise the bar of our performance and this calls for commanders who are up to the task to be up and doing on the job. We must clean our streets and communities of illicit substances. We all are witnesses to the upsurge in the cases of kidnapping and such vices, this means NDLEA must remain upstanding. For those who have been watching and listening, recently, there is another demand by kidnappers and bandits aside money, which is drugs. In that sense, it means NDLEA is working because they don’t ask for it before, meaning that they’re no longer as available as they used to be and the prices of those available have gone beyond their reach.”
He charged the commanders to always ensure that the corporate integrity of the agency is always protected in all they do. He said: “Therefore, every command must shun any act capable of bringing into disrepute the hard-earned reputation of NDLEA. Where inappropriate actions occur, the management certainly will not overlook it. There will be penalties, just as there are rewards for good conduct, hard work and results. Now, the onus is on every commander to ensure the protection of our corporate integrity.”
While assuring that he remains committed to staff welfare including conducive work environment, allowances, remuneration and entitlements, and the basic welfare package, he asked the commanders to replicate such in their various commands.
He however warned that Commanders will have to justify their retention in Command positions with their performance.
“We have applied meritocracy to the rank and file; it is also fair to apply the same standard to the leadership. The implication for commanders is that your retention in command positions will henceforth be measured by your performance, which will be reviewed every quarter. In the new NDLEA, there is no room for laggards, and there are no excuses for laxity. Where there is a clear deficit of leadership, at zonal, state or area command, the agency will not hesitate to review and make a change of leadership, if necessary. This year, we want to raise the bar of our performance and that calls for having commanders who are up to the task.
“Our jobs are clearly defined: We must clean our streets and communities of illicit substances. Therefore, go and perform and let’s see greater results in the weeks ahead. And I assure you that at any time, you need backup, we are here to provide the necessary reinforcement. On this note, I want to implore commanders to let us keep our eyes on the ball. Let’s be prepared to work hard in 2024 and achieve unprecedented goals.”
Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders
News
Women Farmers Say Nigeria Faces Severe Hunger with Proposed Budget to AgricultureAdvocate for 10% of Budget to Agriculture

Women Farmers Say Nigeria Faces Severe Hunger with Proposed Budget to Agriculture
Advocate for 10% of Budget to Agriculture
By: Michael Mike
The women under the umbrella body of Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) have called for an upgrade in the proposed budget for agriculture, noting amount proposed for 2025 recorded a decline of 36.19% from N996.901 billion in 2024 to N633 billion.
They noted that it may further drive the country into hunger and a let off from President Bola Tinubu’s promise to alleviate poverty and hunger in the country.
The group which briefed alongside the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a non-state actor, noted that the country is currently in a precarious situation that needs great investment rather than reduction.
The groups therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to address what they called insufficient allocation to the agricultural sector to address food security and hunger in the land.
They argued that the current proposed budget represented 1.28 percent of the entire proposed over N53 trillion budget.
They said the 2025 budget proposal for the sector therefore represents 36.19% decline. The sector got 2.84% allocation in the 2024 budget with N996.901 billion.
The group stressed that: “You can’t be increasing the national budget and also be reducing the agricultural budget. And we are clamouring for security in the sector.
The government should give more money to agriculture to support farmers, especially women and small-scale farmers. The government should also plan better to make sure that the agricultural sector plans are aligned with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.”
They urged that the government should declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector, stressing that every government pronouncement or policy pronouncement also has economic implications.
They said: “We are calling on the government to declare a state of emergency and also that the allocation for the sector is poor.
“We are trying to draw their attention. We are not trying to put the blame on anybody but the necessary departments that are working on the budget should be able to draw the attention of the Federal Government and say that the allocation for this sector on key farmers that are practising in the field is unacceptable. And that is why we are here to say let them look at it the second time before they do the final passing, which there is still room for that.”
They called for 10% of the budget to be set aside for agriculture. “These are what we are advocating for in accordance with the Maputo declaration.
“So, against the 10%, we are not even moving close. We are moving far away from the 10% allocation that we want the president to even start, not to even talk about more.”
The group made the following demands from the government for the country to be able to address food insecurity and hunger in the country.
“ There is a need to increase the budget allocation to the FMAFS in the 2025 budget of the federal government of Nigeria. This is necessary as funding gaps were observed in critical areas of investment, ranging from extension services and access to farm inputs to investment in smallholder women farmers, as well as in addressing the various aspects of climate change and agroecology that are affecting the optimal performance of the agricultural sector. The need for enhanced funding is also necessitated by the 1.28% of the total federal government budget committed to the sector against the 10% that is recommended by the Maputo Declaration. This will enhance the capacity of the ministry to coordinate and support actions to attain food and nutrition security in Nigeria. Engagement with subnational governments in this direction to shore up their funding efforts will also be essential.
“Whereas every programme and project of the FMAFS should feed into the implementation of the NATIP, evidence from the projects and programme provided for in the 2025 budget proposal of the ministry shows only 34% alignment in this direction.
“There is a need for the FMAFS to ensure that planning for the sector is anchored on the NATIP policy. This will ensure a strong plan-budget link that will deliver on the overall goal for the sector, including attaining the SDG 2.
“Budgetary allocations should be increased and should go to strategic areas of investments which include Extension Services, Access to Credit, Women in Agriculture, Youth in Agriculture, Appropriate Labour-Saving Technologies, Inputs, Post-Harvest Losses Reduction Supports (processing facilities, storage facilities, trainings, market access, etc.), Irrigation, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA)/Agroecology, Research and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Coordination.
“The allocation to the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) should be increased as NADF is an important aspect of the NATIP and also vital for the overall development of the agricultural sector, but 97% of its capital should not be allocated for the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Program. Allocation for capital expenditure for NADF should be targeted to achieving the commitments in the President’s declared state of emergency on the food security situation in the country, therefore should focus on Extension Services, Access to Credit, Women in Agriculture, Youth in Agriculture, Appropriate Labour-Saving Technologies, Inputs, Post-Harvest Losses Reduction Supports (processing facilities, storage facilities, trainings, market access, etc.), Irrigation, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA)/Agroecology. It is also vital to ensure timely and total releases to the NADF.”
Women Farmers Say Nigeria Faces Severe Hunger with Proposed Budget to Agriculture
Advocate for 10% of Budget to Agriculture
News
Yobe State Govt. Seeks Sabbatical, Exchange Programmes in Moroccan University

Yobe State Govt. Seeks Sabbatical, Exchange Programmes in Moroccan University
By: Mamman Mohammed
Yobe state government has initiated partnership with Mohammed VI University, Ben Guerir, Morocco, to secure sabbatical and school exchange programmes for staff and students.
The state delegation made the proposal on Thursday during a visit to the university.
The corporate Communications Director Lamia Idbilti, said the institution is currently running 160 partnership programmes and would be glad to add Yobe state.
She explained that, the university offers staff and students direct sponsorships and exchange programmes for first degrees, Masters and Doctorate programmes.
Lamia added that the prospective beneficiaries have opportunities to study agriculture, Medical Sciences, Computer Engineering, Architecture, Green technology, Humanity and Hospitality among others.
The Director said the partnership would also benefit the state in Science Energy and Nano Engineering to develop green energy.
“As a developing economy, Yobe State has to start investing in this regard because it is the issue of the moment that needs proactive measure”.
Baba Malam Wali, Secretary to the State Government and head of the delegation, said Yobe state government would explore the opportunity to support staff of higher institutions in the state to enjoy sabbatical programmes in the University.
“Government would strive to meet the required conditions for our lecturers to go on sabbatical and for the students to enjoy the exchange and sponsorship programmes” he said.
The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa, described the partnership as an excellent opportunity for capacity building of our staff and students.
“These are mostly entrepreneurial courses that are marketable with Prospects for direct employment generation and wealth Creation” Prof. Kawuwa said.
Alh. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara- Gombe, Chief Executive Officer of the consulting firm, African Network Center, said the firm was moving ahead of time to complete the partnership procedures.
“We have no time to waste, we are moving fast to solidify the dialogue to set the partnership in motion.
“It is the ambition of all parties to see that this partnership materialises in earnest to secure the admission for both the staff and students to commence the programmes” Ahmed said.
Yobe State Govt. Seeks Sabbatical, Exchange Programmes in Moroccan University
International
EU Funds Programmes to Develop Competencies, Politics

EU Funds Programmes to Develop Competencies, Politics
By: Michael Mike
The European Union (EU) is complementing the efforts of the Nigerian government to improve and strengthen democracy across the country by supporting programmes that build the capacity of young people in politics and governance.
The E.U. through the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme has funded the Yiaga Africa’s Constituency Office Internship Programme.
According to a statement on Saturday, the 3-month programme, which started in December 2024, and is expected to end in February this year, provides an excellent opportunity for young individuals committed to democratic development and eager to deepen their understanding of legislative processes and effective constituency engagement, to gain hands-on experience in the operations of constituency offices and legislature-constituent relations.
The statement read that by placing these interns in the constituency offices of lawmakers, the programme not only offers them the chance to understand the legislative process, but provides an opportunity for them to engage with lawmakers, contribute meaningfully to policy discussions, and be part of constituency engagement.
According to the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, the EU’s belief is that a thriving democracy is built on responsible leadership and active citizens engagement.
He said: “Young people, therefore, play very significant roles in developing Nigeria’s democracy by actively participating in the electoral and governance processes, and contributing to guidelines, policies, and frameworks that ensure free, fair, credible, and transparent elections.
“Hence, it is important to provide platforms for these young and vibrant minds to actively engage and be a part of the country’s governance process. The time for making excuses is over. The moment people start making excuses not to act ethically, democratic institutions are undermined. Rather than criticising democracy, we must focus on ethical decisions that shape its practice.”
Highlighting the impact of the programme in strengthening the relationship between lawmakers and their constituencies, Yiaga Africa’s Programme Manager, Yetunde Bakare said, “The Constituency Office Internship Programme encourages youth participation in the democratic process, ensuring that young people are involved in shaping policies that affect them.
“We would like to say thank you to the EU for the support that we receive that enables us to do the work that we do, which allows us to deploy young people to constituency offices. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the EU and the young people who continue to apply and take advantage of opportunities like this.”
One of the interns, Olaiya Oluwadamilola, while expressing passionately about how the programme has shaped both her professional and personal life, said, “This internship has not only enhanced my communication skills and boosted my confidence, but it has also inspired me to give back to my community and pursue a career in politics.”
Another intern, Salihu Gode,, praised the EU’s vision for inclusive governance, and harped on the importance of mentorship, which she believes is essential for her career development and political ambition. “With the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired, I’m confident that I can drive meaningful change in my community and contribute to Nigeria’s democratic growth,” she said. Gode also expressed her commitment to empowering women and promoting female participation in politics—an area the EU actively supports.
EU Funds Programmes to Develop Competencies, Politics
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