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NDLEA Destroys 304,436kg, 40,042 litres of Illicit Drugs Seized in Lagos, Ogun
NDLEA Destroys 304,436kg, 40,042 litres of Illicit Drugs Seized in Lagos, Ogun
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a total of 304,436 kilogrammes and 40,042 litres of illicit substances seized from parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
Speaking at a brief ceremony where the seized drugs were publicly destroyed in Badagry, Lagos State, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) said the open destruction of the seized illicit drugs followed court orders.
Marwa appealed for more public support for ongoing efforts by his agency and other stakeholders to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
He said: “Through a routine exercise and an established process of removing dangerous substances from our society, the public destruction of confiscated illicit drugs is usually conducted at the end of their related cases in court,” adding that the exhibits being destroyed were of mixed types which include illicit drugs in solid and liquid states as well as in various classes such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and tramadol, among others.
He revealed that the drugs were seized by NDLEA operatives across different formations of the agency in Lagos and Ogun states from January 2022 till date especially at the Lagos seaports, airports, and land borders.
He said: “To be destroyed here today on the order of the court are solid drugs, weighing 304,436.055 kilogrammes and 40, 042. 621 litres of liquid drugs. The sheer volume of the drug haul speaks volumes about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.”
The NDLEA boss expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, the clergy, members of NGOs and CSOs as well as other stakeholders who witnessed the ceremony.
He said: “The destruction of these seizures complies with the NDLEA Act, which mandates the Agency to destroy all drug exhibits after prosecution. We want to say that your presence here is a testament to this important occasion. To this end, we appreciate all stakeholders and members of the public for witnessing this exercise.”
Marwa seized the opportunity to acknowledge the support of the agency’s local and international partners, especially the American Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA); United Kingdom NCA, Border Force; the Germans, the French; Indian NCB, among others who had worked with the agency on a number of busts.
He said: “Similarly, we appreciate the Nigerian military and other law enforcement agencies such as the Customs; Immigration; Police; Civil Defence; FRSC; NFIU,NAFDAC and others that have been supporting our efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.”
He assured them that NDLEA will not relent in its effort to end the drug scourge in the country, while calling for more public support for the activities of the agency.
He acknowledged that: “The safety of our society is the responsibility of every one of us. Every citizen shall be fulfilling his or her civic duty by assisting the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign to clean up our communities and cities. Together, we can make this country secure.”
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by Chairman, Badagry West Local Government, Mr. Olusegun Onilude expressed satisfaction with the efforts of NDLEA to tackle the scourge of illicit drugs in the country.
He said: “Almost all crimes and criminalities are fueled by illicit drugs, so the Lagos state government appreciates NDLEA and its leadership in their resolute fight against illicit drugs. The volume of illicit drugs being destroyed here today speak volume and every right-thinking person should be worried.”
He also thanked the agency for taking the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign to schools and communities across Lagos State, assuring that: “No doubt, NDLEA is working, and the state will continue to collaborate with the agency and its leadership.”
NDLEA Destroys 304,436kg, 40,042 litres of Illicit Drugs Seized in Lagos, Ogun
News
Gwoza: Zulum reinstate 23 suspended Health Workers
Gwoza: Zulum reinstate 23 suspended Health Workers
….directs the deployment of 4 Doctors, 10 Nurses to General Hospital.
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the reinstatement of 23 health workers previously suspended for absence from their duty posts at Gwoza General Hospital.
This decision was announced during the Governor’s inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, as well as other ongoing projects.
The health workers had initially been suspended after Governor Zulum’s earlier visit, where he found them absent from their duties.
Addressing the staff, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of dedication to work and assured them of improved working conditions and other incentives.
“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” he noted. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.”
In response to a staff shortage raised by the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, Dr Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, Governor Zulum directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to the facility.
He further announced that Gwoza General Hospital will be upgraded to support training for nursing students from the new school of nursing under construction.
“The Commissioner of Health, together with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will work on this deployment,” Zulum added. “We will also recruit community health workers from Gwoza to strengthen local healthcare services.”
In addition to his healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the crusher plant base under construction in Pulka, which will produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.
He said the completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to facilitate new road networks across Borno State.
The Governor also visited other development sites, including the 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and educational advancement.
Gwoza: Zulum reinstate 23 suspended Health Workers
News
USAID Announces $2.3 Million Commitment to Procure Life-Saving Malaria Tablets from Swiss Pharma
USAID Announces $2.3 Million Commitment to Procure Life-Saving Malaria Tablets from Swiss Pharma
By: Michael Mike
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $2.3 million to procure 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma (Swipha) in a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa.
This procurement, to be facilitated through the U.S. Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores the United States’ dedication to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring life-saving treatments reach vulnerable communities.
A statement on Tuesday said for years, Nigeria has faced significant challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to the high cost of production and the inability of many local pharmaceutical companies to meet international quality standards.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), fewer than 10% of medicines manufactured in sub-Saharan Africa meet global standards, limiting local companies’ ability to supply essential drugs and meet healthcare needs. These barriers have particularly affected access to medicines for malaria and child health, as local production has often fallen short of both quality and quantity requirements.
In response, USAID partnered with Swipha in their efforts to attain World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, a vital medicine for malaria prevention during pregnancy. Swipha is now the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and in West Africa to achieve this WHO certification, marking a critical step forward for the region’s pharmaceutical capacity.
“USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone,” said Swipha Managing Director, Frederic Lieutaud.
“The WHO prequalification not only validates our commitment to producing high-quality medicines but also enhances our capacity to scale production and serve both local and international markets with trusted, essential medicines.”
With the WHO prequalification, Swipha is well-positioned to expand its reach, supplying these essential medicines to international donors and procurement agencies, ultimately strengthening healthcare delivery across Nigeria and the broader West African region. This achievement also represents a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system by enhancing local manufacturing capacity and contributing to public health efforts to combat preventable diseases.
During her visit to Swipha’s facility in Lagos, USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Melissa Jones, commented “This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria. We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
USAID Announces $2.3 Million Commitment to Procure Life-Saving Malaria Tablets from Swiss Pharma
News
Angola to kickstart Year 2025 with the Meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission
Angola to kickstart Year 2025 with the Meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission
By: Michael Mike
Angola has expressed willingness to improve trading and bilateral relations with Nigeria, revealing that the year 2025 would be opened with the meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission to update all legal instruments that guide the two countries political, economic and military cooperation.
Speaking at the celebration of the 49th Angola Independence Day in Abuja on Monday evening, the Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jose Bamoquina Zau said
as part of the efforts to strengthen relations with Nigeria, “By 2025, we want to open the year with the Angola-Nigeria Bilateral
Joint Commission Meeting to update all legal instruments that guide our political, economic and military cooperation.”
Angola, an oil rich country got its independence from Portugal on the 11th November, 1975. The country was engulfed in armed struggle for national liberation which came to a halt in January 1975 following the change of government in Portugal.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebration, the envoy commended Nigeria and other countries for standing by them during the armed struggles for political emancipation and war.
He added: “Here we renew our invitation to investors from the countries that you
represent, to invest in: Little Wolf Corridor; Lobito Refinery; Tourism Infrastructure; New Luanda International Airport; Special Economic Zone; Barra do Dande Free Trade Zone; Agri-food industry and In the construction project of 1,300 kilometers of the 1st Angola Highway that will connect the North and South of the country passing
through 13 Provinces.”
The envoy, talking on the bilateral relations
with Nigeria, said: “Our brotherly and cooperation with the Federal Republic of Nigeria have lasted more than 60 years. dating back to the beginning of the Armed Struggle for National Liberation for the Independence of Angola, end of the war and peacekeeping through the United
Nations.
“Today our cooperation with Nigeria is strongly based on increased trade between Luanda and Lagos. In the exchange of business missions from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the
Angola-Nigeria Business Council (ANBC).
“We are also committed to permanently agreeing positions in the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) and defending common interests through the Gulf of Guinea Commission, where important fishing and hydrocarbon reserves are concentrated.”
The envoy added that: “Angola has created a better environment for business with the review of legislation on private and foreign
investments, protection and repatriation of profits,” while revealing that they are diversifying the economy and also carrying out energy transition to the use of clean and environmentally friendly energy.
He said: “We invested $4 billion in photovoltaic, green hydrogen, biofuel and
hydro-electric dams to have 8 giga watts of electricity available by 2025.”
The envoy therefore urged Nigerians to seize the opportunities to invest in the various sectors of the economy, assuring them of a better investment environment
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has sent his warmest greetings and congratulations to the Minister of External Relations of Angola, His Excellency Téte António, on the occasion of their National Day.
Tuggar, in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, said: “It is a great honour to extend our warmest wishes to you, the government and people of Angola on the auspicious occasion of your National Day.
“We note with great satisfaction the excellent relations between our two countries and the efforts we are making to build on these firm foundations for the benefit of our peoples.
“We wish Angola and the people peace, prosperity and progress and Nigeria’s continuing friendship and support.”
Angola to kickstart Year 2025 with the Meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission
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