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President Tinubu rallies support for drug war, assures NDLEA of more help
President Tinubu rallies support for drug war, assures NDLEA of more help
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has given express support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking as well as its ramped-up efforts to prevent the Nigerian populace from falling prey to the drug scourge.
The President gave the assurance on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise known as World Drug Day on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre Abuja.
Speaking on the theme of the day, which is “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “I enjoin all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse initiative, otherwise known as the WADA campaign, launched by NDLEA three years ago. I commend and urge everyone to redouble their efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
“On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the centre of its focus. Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential.”
The President, while noting that illicit drugs and substances have wreaked havoc on individuals, families, communities and countries worldwide, said: “In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon that we can deploy. Prevention not only saves lives; it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation. It empowers individuals to make informed choices, promotes healthy lifestyles and creates resilient communities capable of withstanding the pressures of drug abuse.
“Investing in prevention is not merely a moral imperative, a prudent way of safeguarding our future. By allocating resources towards evidence-based prevention programmes, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse and protect our youth from falling prey to the menace.”
The President added that “The assignment before us as a country requires that we prioritise evidence-based prevention strategies, allocate adequate resources and foster partnerships for greater impact.”
He consequently gave strong assurances that: “This government will support NDLEA to build on the success recorded in the past few years. We shall work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have positive statistics from the next national drug use survey that will be conducted in the country.”
He urged all Nigerians to join hands in this noble cause, noting that: “This is an assignment for all patriotic citizens of this country, including religious leaders, traditional leaders, educational institutions, opinion leaders, and civil society organisations.”
He noted that: “NDLEA has created a formidable platform for cooperation vis-à-vis its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiative.”
In his welcome remark, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) said that the ‘Save Our Families’ social advocacy campaign launched at the ceremony by the President, is designed to prevent and tackle drug use through early detection and intervention by making the Agency’s newly produced special drug test kits a necessity in every home, schools and workplaces.
According to him, “The Agency has introduced the Drug Integrity Test initiative anticipated to metamorphose into an anti-drug culture for every Nigerian. The test is intended for secondary school students, students seeking admission into tertiary institutions and returning students, workers in government and private offices and individuals seeking political offices as well as prospective couples before taking their marriage vows. The drug test will serve as a tool for the prevention of drug use and early detection of the individual’s status of drug use for the purpose of appropriate intervention including treatment and rehabilitation. Let me also add that our drug integrity test, which has been adopted by some government institutions and tertiary institutions in the country, is a preventive mechanism.
“As a result, we have produced tens of thousands of special test kits capable of detecting 15 different substances, now available in all our commands across the country. This is for use in homes, schools, workplaces and others. Apart from helping in early detection of drug abuse especially by our youths so that we can get them help in form of treatment, this will also create some deterrence effects.”
Speaking on the theme for this year’s World Drug Day, Marwa said drug use prevention lies at the heart of NDLEA’s strategy in addressing the drug problem because it is far more effective and cost-efficient to prevent drug abuse than to deal with its consequences.
Marwa said: “In this regard, we have used our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiative to campaign vigorously at the grassroots and create awareness for our people to shun illicit substances. WADA is a sensitization and advocacy initiative that employs the whole of society approach to engage all stakeholders including the Government sectors, institutions, and Non-Governmental Organisations with emphasis on youths in and out of school, community gatekeepers including traditional and community leaders, as well as religious leaders among others. I am proud to state that the programme has been a tremendous success as an effective tool of advocacy for social action and an awareness driven vehicle for public engagement and collaboration against the drug scourge.
“For instance, between 2021 and 2024, the Agency embarked on 6,423 sensitization and education programmes targeting young people in school and 987 programmes for Out of School youths in order to create awareness on the dangers associated with drug use. This is in addition to the millions of homes reached with our anti-substance abuse messages through our aggressive and impactful media campaigns using various traditional and new media platforms.”
He noted that apart from the various plans and initiatives deployed as preventive measures against the availability and access of illicit substances as well as their abuse by citizens, the Agency has been providing counselling and treatment for people struggling with drug dependence across 30 of its treatment and counselling centres nationwide where 33, 453 drug users had been treated in three and a half years.
The outgoing UNODC Country Representative, Dr. Oliver Stolpe also made a number of recommendations. “After the exceptionally successful testing of the school-based drug prevention programme UNPLUGGED involving half a million secondary school children in Nigeria, the programme should be rolled out to all 28, 000 public and private secondary schools. We need to enhance the resilience against drug use among the millions of out-of-school children, for example through sports-based initiatives such as LINE UP LIVE UP (LULU). Furthermore, we need to strengthen families in their ability to recognise and address drug use in effective and constructive ways.”
Stolpe further said: “Most importantly, there is an urgent need to repeat the 2018 national drug use survey. Without up-to-date data, there is no way in which we can assess whether our collective efforts have long-term impact and address the actual priorities.”
The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who emphasized the importance of testing in schools expressed the ministry’s support for NDLEA drug test campaign while he called on agencies of government “to work together and support all these efforts.”
According to him: “The most important place where this prevention fight should start is the education sector. And we will do our own part, even last week, it was something we considered and promised to review the existing policies so that we can work with NDLEA to take it to secondary schools and primary schools. To establish at all levels compulsory and sustained testing. It has to be compulsory and sustained, right through the years and period of their education.”
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Hon. Abass Adigun on his part called for more budgetary provisions for NDLEA in the face of its multi-faceted mandate. “We at the national assembly are ready to work with the NDLEA and we need the federal government to look into this.”
Others who spoke in the same light include Senator Sadiq Umar who represented the Senate President; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi and guest lecturer at the event, Dr. Vincent Udenze of Intersect Consortium, among others.
President Tinubu rallies support for drug war, assures NDLEA of more help
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I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister
I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister
*says incidences avoidable
By: Michael Mike
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has lamented the losses of lives in Maitama, Abuja and at Okija, in Anambra State during food distribution drives by private institutions aimed at supporting the people as they celebrate the festive season.
The minister expressed deep grief describing the gestures of the donors as laudable, but condemned the crowd management approaches adopted.
In a statement on Saturday by her media team, Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that they were avoidable incidences, and prayed for the repose of their lives, and speedy recovery for those injured.
While condoling with with the FCT Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, the minister called for thorough investigations into the incidences in order to forestall future occurrences.
The minister emphasized the need for crowd assessment which involves estimating the number of recipients and planning accordingly as a pre-event measure.
She also admonished Nigerians who are planning similar distributions to choose spacious, open areas with minimal obstacles, adding that distributions should be scheduled at a time when the crowd is likely to be smaller.
The statement reads in parts : “I am deeply pained by the news of stampedes in Abuja and Okija in Anambra State today. As a mother, I understand the pain of loosing anyone in death under such horrible circumstances. I join the families and governments of the FCT and Anambra State in this distressing moments, and feels the pains of those directly affected.
“These incidences are avoidable if adequate safety measures are put in place. I hereby call on security agencies to investigate these cases in order to forestall future occurrences.
“By implementing the above measures, the risk of stampedes during food distribution would be minimized.
I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister
News
Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes
Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes
By Francis Okoye
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has provided free transport to 710 non Indigenes living in the State to enable them travel home to celebrate the Christmas and the new year with their loved ones .
The free transport scheme which was flagg-off on Saturday at the Borno Express Bus Terminus saw about 285 persons traveling to the various parts of the country, of which the second batch of 285 would travel on Sunday, while the remaining ones would be leaving the State on Monday.
Speaking during the flagging off, the Chairman/ Zonal Coordinator Ohaneze All Progressives Congress ( APC ) support group, Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike , said each of the 710 travellers apart from the free transport scheme would receive a cash sum of N50,000, while about 250 widows who did not travel would be given N50,000 each to celebrate the Christmas.
Egwudike added that Governor Zulum has made significant strides in providing succour to the needy with various initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social welfare, like very subsidised transportation services within Maiduguri metropolitan council, as well as sponsoring many Christians to Jerusalem for pilgrimage.
” Apart from enhanced reduced transportation in city, Governor Zulum’s administration has been offering free transport scheme for all the non Indigenes in every yulitide season like this to connect any part of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with a total of 710 beneficiaries reached annually, thus bridging the gap in mobility and connectivity, and promoting economic growth and development.
“He provided emergency aid and resources to the non Indigenes affected by the recent flood incident in the State and thus showcased his ability to respond to crisis and prioritise the wellbeing of all residents. The Governor has been providing this free transport scheme to non Indigenes from 2020 to date, ” Egwudike said.
He said the Governor’s gestures demonstrate his dedication to creating a more just and equitable society where all the residents regardless of the their ethnic, religious and party affiliation, have access to resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
The Oba of Yorubas in Borno State, Alhaji Hassan Alao Yusuf who witnessed the flagging off ceremony in company of other leaders, appreciated Zulum for the gesture ,saying that the transport scheme to the non Indigenes has depicted the detribalised nature of the Governor.
” He doesn’t care about your religion, tribe or party affiliation. You can see that everyone of the travellers are happy with the Governor’s gestures. Many of them due to the present economic hardship wouldn’t have made the journey to go home and celebrate with their loved ones if not for the free transport scheme,” said Alhaji Yusuf.
In the same vein, a member of the board of trustees of Igbo Welfare Association/ Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu , commended Governor Zulum for his continuous support to the non Indigenes in the State,
Pharm Egbonu noted that the gesture of the Governor to the non Indigenes in the State is a unifying factor that needed to to be emulated by other Governors in building a trust and unity among ethic groups across the country.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Borno Express Transport Corperation, Grema Zanna, appreciated Governor Zulum for the gesture, saying the what the Governor has done is part of his programme of alleviating the issue of high cost transportation to the residents of the State.
He noted that those that are benefiting from the free transport scheme notwithstanding being non Indigenes have been contributing to the economic development of the State, and are part and parcel of Borno State
Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes
News
Buni explains achievements in 2024
Buni explains achievements in 2024
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe state Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, has said in 2024, our effort in the health sector led the Yobe state government to win 500,000 US dollars in the primary healthcare leadership challenge for states in the North-East sub-region.
We have achieved 100% payment of hazard allowances and adjustment of CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales to healthcare workers, recruited 311 new members of staff, including doctors, nurses, and other cadres, and ensured the continuation of our free dialysis program for kidney patients.
Governor Buni disclosed this while addressing journalists at the End-Of-Year 2024 Media briefing at Cedars Recreation Center Damaturu, the state capital.
The governor, who was represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, also said, apart from the achievements recorded in the education sector, such as the building of many model and mega schools, the award of scholarships to students undergoing various courses within and outside the country, ministries, departments, and the agencies (MDAs) legacies, which are not mentioned in the speech.
Idi Barde Gubana, who read the speech of the governor who was attending another very important meeting of the Northern Governor’s Forum in Kaduna, revealed that, “in the year under review, through robust and prudent management of score resources, we were able to turn around the fortunes of our people by making significant investments in education, agriculture, healthcare, and wealth and job creation, and road construction, among others.
In the recent Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) empowerment program we unveiled, a total of 52,997 households and 201,300 individuals were reached with a total sum of #3,907,387,056, while 456,205 other households with a total of 974,220 individuals were reached with food and non-food items support.
He said, “In the area of agriculture and food security, through our agricultural revitalization program, the sum of #15.3 billion was spent to provide farm implements and inputs to 5,340 farmers across the 178 wards of the state. The state government is also spending $1.7 billion in the procurement of assorted grains for our strategic grains reserve.
“Similarly, in the area of wealth creation, a lot was also achieved. These include the procurement of 475 modern sewing and embroidery machines, procurement and distribution of 350 disability tricycles, procurement of 712 nos. of cows and bulls to livestock farmers, provision of cash grants of #150,000 to 3,560 micro and small entrepreneurs across 178 wards of the state, and provision of cash support of #20,000 to 4,800 unemployed youths.
In addition, training of 85 youths on shoemaking and provision of start-up kits, distribution of 500 units of deep freezers to women in the ice-making business, procurement of 1,780 smoking stoves, 1,780 frying pans, 1,780 frying spoons, 1,780 sieving basins, and 1,780 bowls. Procurement of 100 units of pick-up tricycles for distribution to beneficiaries and the procurement and distribution of 340 work bulls, 170 ox-drawn carts, and 170 ox-drawn plows, among others.
In his welcome address, Yobe State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, said this is the first time in as many years that His Excellency himself would avail us of the opportunity to address this kind of end-of-year gathering.
He said Yobe state, and indeed Nigeria as a whole, cannot thrive and make any meaningful progress without peace and security, and the participation of all citizens requires that the media always focus attention on what brings the people together rather than what sets them apart.
“I am confident that with your support, the Yobe state government under the charismatic and indefatigable leadership of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, in the months and years ahead, will continue to reach even more milestones and make an even bigger impact in the lives of the people of the state, he said.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, I want to express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, ably represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, for sparing the time to address this distinguished gathering of our state’s press and media community.
Buni explains achievements in 2024
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