National News
Make 2022 tougher for drug barons, cartels, Marwa tasks NDLEA officers
Make 2022 tougher for drug barons, cartels, Marwa tasks NDLEA officers
By: Michael Mike, Abuja
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has tasked officers and men of the anti-narcotic agency to make it difficult for drug barons, traffickers and cartels to operate in Nigeria in the New Year, 2022.
He gave the charge on Tuesday at a meeting with the Directors, Zonal Commanders, State, and Special Area Commanders, during which four state commands and 25 officers were given cash-backed awards and commendation letters for their outstanding performance in the areas of drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction and diligent prosecution of cases in the last quarter of the year, 2021.
Marwa, who seized the opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his constant support and encouragement to the NDLEA and its work, said: “The figures of our Drug Supply Reduction activities have skyrocketed: 11, 340 arrests and 1,111 convictions in 11 months. These figures are balanced by equally impressive Drug Demand Reduction stats: 7,066 counselled and rehabilitated, all in our facilities.
“During the 11 months, we have successfully mopped up over 3.3 million kilogrammes of assorted drugs; away from the streets of Nigeria; away from criminals, terrorists and bandits; away from our youths.”
He added that: “This Awards and Commendations ceremony is an attestation that the leadership of NDLEA is keeping its side of the bargain, to wit, to motivate the NDLEA workforce as a means of getting the agency out of the rut in which it was stuck for years. It was to this end that we instituted, among other measures, the Bimonthly Best Performing Command Award, which after two editions was transformed into the Quarterly Awards.
“The transmutation notwithstanding, the objective remains to reward individual hard work and diligence of officers and to appreciate the collective effort of commands.
“It cannot be again said that the awards have not been successful. From all indications, our reward scheme has galvanized the NDLEA workforce as evidenced by our daily and weekly performance, which attracts national and international accolades.
“Just three weeks ago, at the ICPC 3rd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in Nigeria, held on November 30, 2021, our officer was one of three distinguished Nigerians honoured by the President with the 2021 Public Service Integrity Award. That speaks volumes about the renewed work ethics within the agency. With a sense of modesty, he deserves a pat on the back for the good work that earned him the national award.”
Also Read: Boko Haram: 7 killed, several abducted in Borno
He said: “As for those hurdles that were the sources of stagnation and disenchantment, the leadership of NDLEA has dismantled most, if not all of them. We have made a case for a new salary structure; we have harmonised our rank structure and stagnated ranks through the promotion of 3,506 officers and men; we have rejigged our welfare scheme and now have a functional insurance scheme; we paid burial entitlements to the families of officers lost in the line of duty. We have practically doubled our strength in terms of personnel in one year. We will be having barracks in the new year. Thanks to Mr. President. A whole lot of reforms are ongoing. We have not taken our hands off the plough. The management is working to cover lost grounds and restore the agency’s parity with other similar government apparatus.
“We must as individuals and as a collective reflect on this positive development. And for those we are complimenting today, the awards, the recognition, should further motivate you to go the extra mile. In doing that, I urge you: do not trample upon discipline according to our creed; do not compromise your loyalty to the ideals and ethos of the agency, and finally, constantly rededicate yourself to duty and attainment of organisational goals.”
The anti-narcotics czar said: “We are doing our utmost to win this war against drug abuse and trafficking of illicit substances, both from a policy perspective (such as the launch of the National Drug Control Master Plan, NDCMP 2021-2025) and from a tactical perspective (like the gradual takeoff of War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, across the 36 states). The onus is now on us to ensure that our performance will not become a flash in the pan.
“This awards ceremony should imbue us with the nous to sustain the momentum and the upward swing. This is my charge to the entire NDLEA workforce: We must in good conscience continue to justify the enormous energy we have invested this year in turning around the fortunes of the Agency. To the entire NDLEA workforce, I can assure you that we can look ahead into the future without anxiety. We should be confident that better days are here. However, we need to constantly remind ourselves that our performance is the catalyst that will hasten our journey to a drug free Nigeria.”
Make 2022 tougher for drug barons, cartels, Marwa tasks NDLEA officers
National News
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.
In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.
Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.
The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.
He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.
The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.
Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
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