National News
Marwa seeks community support as Ochi’Idoma, others back drug war
Marwa seeks community support as Ochi’Idoma, others back drug war
By Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has challenged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to champion the campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their communities and spheres of influence.
He gave the charge at different occasions in Igumale, Ado local government area and Otukpo in Benue state.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Marwa gave the advice last Sunday and Monday.
Babafemi said the NDLEA boss was in Igumale to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the agency’s Area Command office in the community.
Speaking at the palace of the community’s monarch, Chief Joseph Oche Ikor, Marwa urged the traditional ruler to see the siting of an NDLEA office in his domain as a call to mobilise his people to reject substance abuse and support ongoing efforts to eliminate access to illicit drugs wreaking havocs in families and communities.
In his remarks at the foundation laying ceremony and the commissioning of a 20-kilometre road facilitated by the member representing Ado-Ogbadigbo-Okpokwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and who incidentally is the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Francis Agbo, Marwa said “both developments are signs of the importance of this community and local government to Nigeria’s welfare and also a testament that communities in this corner of the country are not left out of the dividends of democracy by its leaders.”
Marwa, while commending Agbo for his passion and commitment to the effort to make Nigeria a drug-free country, told the community that the lawmaker is at the the cusp of making history with his sponsorship of a bill to make political office seekers take the Dug Integrity Test, from the lowest position of councillorship to the highest office in the country. “At the same time, he has also been one of the key drivers of the amendment of the NDLEA Act which we are hopeful will be passed by the National Assembly before the end of the tenure of the Ninth Assembly. Even as he worked on the national stage, he also remains an embodiment of the saying that “charity begins at home.”
Marwa admonished the community, stating that: “I will also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the good people of this constituency to do their utmost to ensure we keep our communities clean of illicit drugs. Keeping Nigeria safe from dangerous substances is the mandate of NDLEA; the mandate, however, cannot be attained without the contribution of Nigerians. We have created a vehicle to facilitate the participation of the citizenry, which is the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. It is a social advocacy which we are taking to every community in this country. We started in 2021 and in the past two years, we have succeeded in getting WADA to the doorsteps of our people at the grassroots.
“As we intensify the campaign this year, I enjoin every one of you to be a part of this platform for social action where all well-meaning Nigerians become stakeholders in the concerted effort to safeguard the safety and sanity of our society against the drug scourge.”
Speaking during a WADA advocacy visit to the Ochi’Idoma of Idoma land, Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, on Monday, Marwa said traditional rulers as leaders of their people must embrace the campaign against the drug scourge in the interest of the youths, families and the security of their communities and the country as a whole.
In their responses, the monarchs and other community leaders who spoke at the different ceremonies promised to support the Marwa-led Agency to succeed in its given task while also assuring that they would work with NDLEA to rid their domains of illicit drugs.
Marwa seeks community support as Ochi’Idoma, others back drug war
Eid-el-Ftr: FG Declares Monday, Tuesday as Public Holiday
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Ftr festival, the celebration marking the end of the Ramadan Fast.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who extended heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, conveyed the Minister’s warm wishes and urged all Muslims to embrace the virtues cultivated during Ramadan – self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace.
Tunji-Ojo, while emphasizing the significance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity as key elements in fostering a harmonious society, encouraged Nigerians to use the festive period for prayer, focusing on the peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation.
He expressed hope that the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would serve as a catalyst for unity and cooperation, bridging divides across religious and ethnic lines.
The minister called on citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while remembering the less-privileged through acts of kindness and charity—keeping in line with the true spirit of Ramadan and Eid.
Eid-el-Ftr: FG Declares Monday, Tuesday as Public Holiday
3rd SDGs Film Challenge Launched by Nigeria, UN
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, has described Nigeria as a storytelling powerhouse, urging
filmmakers to channel their creative force toward amplifying awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire on Wednesday in Abuja launched the 3rd Edition of the SDGs film Challenge
The film challenge which is a collaboration with the United Nations, aimed at mobilising filmmakers to use films to mobilise the nation towards achieving the SDGs.
The UN has set 2030 to achieve the SDGs which has 17 Goals aimed at improving standards of living across the globe.
Speaking at the launch, Fall said: “Nigeria is a storytelling powerhouse. Our Nollywood industry, which is among largest film industry in the world reaches millions across Africa and beyond. By channelling this creative force toward the SDGs, we are doing more than amplifying awareness.
“We are empowering young Nigerians to take ownership of the development narrative: to spotlight issues like gender inequality, climate change, and poverty, and to present solutions through the lens of sustainability.
“The UN in Nigeria stands firmly behind this mission. This year’s challenge — led by Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Information Centre, and Fresh NEWS builds on the remarkable momentum of past editions.
“From 73 entries in 2023 to an astonishing 2,250 entries from 119 countries last year, the message is clear: young people are not waiting on the sidelines. They are ready to create, to lead, and to transform their world.
“Globally, the UN Secretary-General has underscored the vital role of youth and digital innovation in driving the 2030 Agenda forward. The SDGs Film Challenge embodies this vision. It aligns with Chapter IV of the Pact for the Future, recognizing youth and future generations as key architects of sustainable development.
“To all filmmakers, producers, and actors across Nigeria: this is your moment. Let your cameras roll.
“Let your stories stir our collective conscience. Whether your lens captures the struggle of a girl fighting for her education or the resilience of communities battling environmental degradation — your voice matters.
“Let’s make 2025 a year where stories drive change, where creativity fuels progress, and where Nigeria leads the charge in storytelling for sustainable development.”
on her part, Orelope-Adefulire said “The SDG Film Challenge is an initiative designed to mobilise filmmakers in this decade of action to accelerate the achievement of the SDG.”
She invited creators to produce impactful short films that highlight development challenges and offer solutions and direct action on critical issues such as poverty, illiteracy, gender equality, climate change, and social justice.
She added: “It is also an opportunity to provide information and to generate hope through our many narratives.
“We challenge them to educate, to provoke conversations and direct action towards achieving more that reduces the violence faced and threatens our planet. The success of this initiative over the past two editions is a testament to the power of partnership and creativity.”
She also stressed that “This year we are introducing a new strategy including training and capacity-building programmes for all the hosting and training sessions with filmmakers who will be stationed in this regard for their future training.
“With today’s launch, the online quarter is officially open for filmmakers to submit short films, multiple films, addressing selected issues.”
She revealed that three finalists will be shortlisted, from the entries with winners receiving prizes, global excursions, and additional opportunities.
Participants are expected to also benefit from the exchange of programme and mentoring initiatives.
3rd SDGs Film Challenge Launched by Nigeria, UN
Vice President Kashim Shettima Arrives for Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the maiden edition of the Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja, where he is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Body of Benchers is a body of legal practitioners of the highest distinction in Nigeria, with the primary responsibility of administering the formal call to the Bar for individuals seeking to become legal practitioners.
The theme of this year’s lecture is: “Half-a-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, the Present, and the Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria.”
The lecture will also feature the public presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
Vice President Kashim Shettima Arrives for Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja
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