VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

** As Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue to resume after decade-long break

By: Our Reporter

Ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said due to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies, Nigeria is now on a new growth trajectory, ready for investments across different sectors.

This is just as Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, is set to lead a delegation of top executives in the country’s public and private sectors on a state visit to Nigeria for the second session of the Brazil-Nigeria Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue, after over a decade-long break.

Speaking on Tuesday during an update meeting with relevant ministers and heads of agencies at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Shettima noted that “in President Bola Tinubu, we have a leader who has shown that dexterity, that audacity to hope for a better tomorrow.”

Senator Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism slated for the later part of the year.

He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the meeting, noting that there has to be some clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion.

He said, “I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level, let’s walk the talk. Please, drive the process, engage with the different strategic focus groups to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.

“The most important thing at this moment is for us to actualize the dreams of our nation’s development. We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country.”

On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, the Vice President stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries to actualize Nigeria’s vision across agriculture, culture and tourism, livestock production and military technology, among others.

Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain the food sovereign goals of the administration.

“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership. We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership, saying, “There is a huge population in Brazil of Nigerian descent who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.

“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy. Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.

The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival soon.

On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, stated: “All is set for signing of a defence agreement with Brazil. We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”

Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria, noting that the platform is an important relationship for Nigeria.

He said, “Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain. Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it.”

Also, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Ms. Marion Moon, said, “Brazil’s agricultural expertise—from their successful cropland expansion to their global leadership in key commodities—offers invaluable insights for our development. The upcoming $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project exemplifies the depth of our relationship and its potential to revolutionize Nigerian agriculture through modernization and technology transfer.”

She explained that the Strategic Dialogue will be preceded by a Trade and Investment Forum coinciding with the anticipated visit of Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin.

Others who spoke at the meeting included the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and a representative of the Minister of State for the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, among many others.

VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said he will continue to make the welfare of his officers, men and women priority to ensure that they are physically and mentally fit to carry out their responsibility of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa, who gave the assurance on Monday during a brief ceremony to commission a state-of-the-art fitness centre for the agency’s personnel at its headquarters in Abuja, said his decision to build the gym reinforces his commitment to the health, strength, and overall well-being of officers , men and women of NDLEA, which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He highlighted the significance of the facility in ensuring that officers remain physically and mentally fit to tackle the enormous responsibilities of combating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

According to him, “the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is not just a battle of intelligence and strategy—it is also one that demands physical endurance, agility, and resilience. The nature of our work places extraordinary demands on our bodies and minds. From long hours of surveillance and enforcement operations to high-risk engagements, we must always be in top form to protect our society from the dangers of illicit drugs”

He said regular exercise must not be seen as a luxury but a necessity, adding that “a fit officer is a more effective one who can withstand stress, react swiftly in the field, and make sound decisions under pressure. Beyond operational readiness, fitness also promotes overall health, reducing the risk of lifestyle related diseases and enhancing mental sharpness.

“This fitness centre is more than just a gym; it is an investment in our most valuable asset—our people. This is why we hope to replicate similar facilities across zonal and state commands as funds become available. Therefore, I urge every personnel of the Agency within Abuja to take full advantage of this facility. Let it not be a mere structure but a place of daily transformation, where we strengthen not only our muscles but also our resolve to serve with excellence.”

He urged officers to see the commissioning of the facility as a reminder that their work requires them to be at their best physically, mentally, and professionally. “As we commission this centre today, let it serve as a constant reminder that our work requires the best version of ourselves physically, mentally, and professionally. Together, let us continue to build an NDLEA that is strong, resilient, and ever-ready to fulfill its mandate.”

Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority

NDLEA arrests fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure

By: Michael Mike

An automobile spare parts dealer Levi Ubodoeze have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) barely three weeks after a manhunt was launched for him over a recent attempt to export two kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Sunday read: Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on 21st February 2025, swift contacts were made with Angolan authorities who in turn arrested the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in Angola, after which the identity of the sender was unraveled.

He said this resulted in NDLEA operatives tracking Ubodoeze to his house in Ago palace way area of Isolo, Lagos where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape last Thursday.

According to Babafemi, a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine weighing 75.5 kilogrammes packaged and branded as semolina, while a digital scale used in weighing illicit drugs was recovered from his house.

The NDLEA spokesman said in his statement, Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo market, Mushin area of Lagos. He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested in Angola hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him.

In another clampdown, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have intercepted a cargo of cannabis candies imported from the United Kingdom and meant for sale at a Kiddies Mart, located at 46 Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos.

The consignment, according to Babafemi, was seized on 27th February upon its arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways. He said preliminary field test and subsequent forensic analysis of the candies established that the substance was laced with a strong strain of cannabis, and as a result, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested last Tuesday after initial arrest of a freight agent.

Babafemi said in his statement, Adedamola claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother Babatunde Alabi, to deliver to one Musurat Lawal, who operates the Kiddies shop owned by Alabi in Surulere area of Lagos. A follow up operation at the shop led to the arrest of Musurat.

Two suspects: China Michael and Igbo Ekene were arrested last Friday when their commercial truck was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Shibiri area of Ojo, Lagos. A search of the vehicle revealed 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 128 kilogrammes were concealed in the underbelly of the truck.

In another interdiction operation in Lagos, three suspects: Osinachi Nwachukwu; Tochukwu Okafor and John Mbakwe were last Friday arrested at Mosalasi junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.

In Kano, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was nabbed with 19.2 kilogrammes skunk along Gadar Tamburawa road last Thursday while 60-year-old Musa Bello (a.k.a Jajere) was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Medile, Kumbotso local council area.

No fewer than 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered by NDLEA operatives who raided the house and warehouse of a 37-year-old suspect, Blessing Okoronkwo at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, Abia state last Tuesday.

In Benue state, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from two suspects: Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, last Wednesday when their vehicle was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ugbema junction, Katsina Ala area of the state.

In Osun state, a suspect, Asimiyu Muibi, 50, was arrested on last Tuesday with 162 kilogrammes skunk at Modakeke, Ife East local government area while 95 kilogrammes of same substance was recovered from a Toyota Camry car marked KSF 72 GW during a raid in Ede same day.

A suspect, Etim Stephen, 55, was arrested when NDLEA officers last Wednesday raided the Amahor community forest, in Igueben area of Edo State where 9,514.625 kilogrammes skunk was destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun and Edo Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

NDLEA arrests fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure