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Senate to Partner with NDLEA to Fight Drug Menace
Senate to Partner with NDLEA to Fight Drug Menace
By: Michael Mike
The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has expressed willingness to partner and support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in the task of ridding Nigeria of drug menace.
The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics while commending the leadership of NDLEA for its unrelenting war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, said it was prepared and committed to partner and support the agency to succeed in its onerous task of ridding Nigeria of the drug menace.
The assurance was given after the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) briefed the Committee on the activities, challenges and achievements of the agency in the last 34 months at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
Marwa, during the briefing on Tuesday, said the global supply and demand of illicit drugs, including opioids and synthetic drugs has exacerbated the world drug problem, with devastating impact on people and their well-being across borders and continents.
He said: “Families, communities, young people and old men and women and indeed the very fabric of our society is daily being destroyed by drug abuse.” He added that the scourge is at the basis of the security challenges facing not only Nigeria but other nations and as such, no effort must be spared in addressing the problem.”
Speaking on some of its achievements in the areas of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, Marwa said: “The agency re-ignited its intelligence-based enforcement capabilities, focusing on drug barons and cartels, with a view to cutting off supplies and taking illicit drugs away from our streets. This is yielding positive results with the arrest of 36,096 drug traffickers, among them 40 barons, between January 2021 and September 2023. The agency has recorded seizures of 6,668 tons of drugs, worth over N635 billion. About 957.319 hectares of cannabis farms have been destroyed across 12 states within the period under review, while we successfully prosecuted and got convictions in 6,043 cases.
“Presently, there are 11,166 pending cases in Federal High Court across the country. And between January 2021 and September 2023, over 27,432 drug-dependent individuals have been counselled and discharged from our counselling and treatment facilities across the country.”
He highlighted some of the challenges facing the agency to include: inadequate funding, dearth of standard rehabilitation centres, lack of operational boats and vehicles, forensic laboratories and poor salary structure for personnel among others.
Marwa said the modest achievements recorded by the agency in the past months couldn’t have been possible without the backing of the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. “We are hopeful that we will get even more impactful support from the 10th Senate. We look forward to your assistance in taking care of some Gordian knots that can only be solved by legislative means”, he added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo said: “I want to assure you that the newly inaugurated members of the committee are fully committed to working with the NDLEA. All the members have assured that they would contribute and do their best in working to eradicate the use of illicit drugs and narcotics in Nigeria. We will consider the possibility of having an emergency summit on drugs because of the seriousness of the issue.”
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Osita Ngwu said: “We are so glad that the NDLEA is working and we are seeing the results. Over 6000 tons of drugs confiscated is not a joke. I use this medium to encourage you, and whatever support you need from our end, we will give. We are all passionate about reducing drug demand, if we don’t deal with it now, it will destroy us.
“Whatever support we can give we will provide for you to continue this fight, so that we can take drugs off our streets and make our youth useful. We are all going to work together by all means to make sure that all we discussed here will be put in process.”
Other members of the committee who spoke toed the same line of commendation and assurance while they all agreed to fast track the amendment of the NDLEA Act earlier passed by the 9th Senate but returned to the 10th Senate because it lapsed.
Senate to Partner with NDLEA to Fight Drug Menace
Troops neutralise Lakurawa bandit, recover motorcycles in Kebbi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the police and other auxiliaries have neutralised a suspected member of the notorious Lakurawa bandit faction during an engagement in Malam Yaro village, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 5:26 a.m. on Tuesday when armed bandits attempted a surprise incursion into the community.
The attackers were said to have advanced toward the village with the intent to intimidate residents and reassert their presence along the Kebbi border corridor.
The troops were immediately deployed to the area, where they established contact with the armed group.
“During the fierce exchange of fire, one of the bandits was neutralised while several others fled with gunshot wounds along the western axis,” the source said.
Zagazola learnt that two operational motorcycles belonging to the fleeing assailants were recovered at the scene.
Troops neutralise Lakurawa bandit, recover motorcycles in Kebbi
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UK Government Funded Accelerator Programme Pitches Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions in Nigeria
UK Government Funded Accelerator Programme Pitches Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The British High Commission in Nigeria and Manufacturing Africa have hosted an Investor Night where six innovative Nigerian startups from the UK funded Green Business Building (GBB) Accelerator Programme pitched their sustainable manufacturing solutions to potential investors following 16 weeks of intensive business development training and mentorship.
The featured green businesses cover a broad range of industries extending from renewable energy, recycling, organic agriculture and electric mobility.
According to a statement by British High Commission on Tuesday, the startups – GreenSpace Recycling, Sirius-X Energy, Auxano Solar, Taeillo, ZOOMe and Veggie Victory presented their business models and opportunities to a room of venture capitalists, impact investors, and ecosystem stakeholders. The pitching session marked a key milestone in their journey, aimed at unlocking funding and strategic partnerships.
The statement added that designed in a pitch den format, the evening included presentations from the cohort companies, offering insights into their innovative climate friendly business models and the potential for scaling their ventures to create lasting economic and environmental impact.
The businesses also received real-time feedback from funders including potential offers for funding.
Attendees at the event included Jonny Baxter, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria and other representatives from the High Commission in Nigeria, prominent investors and key stakeholders from the sustainable business ecosystem in Nigeria.
Designed to catalyse investment in Nigeria’s green industrial growth, the accelerator is part of the UK’s and Nigeria’s commitment to growing and scaling small, innovative businesses to deliver growth and create new direct and indirect jobs across green industries in Nigeria.
Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Simon Field, said,“Manufacturing is Nigeria’s future — and these businesses show how it can also be greener, more inclusive, and globally competitive. I have nothing but confidence in the programme we’re funding. Every pitch tonight was professional, inspiring, and full of ambition.”
Manufacturing Africa Nigeria, Country Lead, Kemi Onabanjo, said: Tonight was all about celebrating progress and creating profitable connections. We are celebrating the progress these incredible founders have made on their journey with the GBB programme, as well as the impact they are already having. It was also about creating connections that bridge the gap between innovation and investment — connecting promising ventures with the capital, networks, and partners needed to scale their impact.
The startup founders commended the programme with CEO, Taeillo, Jumoke Dada, saying: “GBB is hands-on — they take the heavy lifting off you and help you execute. We now have real clarity on our next steps and a plan we can run with.”
CEO, ZOOMe, Adedayo Odunlami, said: “The level of diligence and attention to detail from the team was world-class. They’ve helped us evolve — as a business and as founders — and connected us to an incredible network.”
UK Government Funded Accelerator Programme Pitches Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions in Nigeria
Nigeria, Russia Celebrate 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Russia on Tuesday are celebrating 65 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.
The two countries established diplomatic ties on November 25, 1960
Both countries ministers of foreign affairs in celebrating the important milestone exchange congratulations messages.
Russian minister, Sergey Lavrov in his letter stated that: “Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two States.
“We note with satisfaction the high level of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is based on the principles of mutual respect, trust and the closeness of our positions across a broad range of regional and international issues.
“We remain committed to the steady development and maintenance of an active and substantive political dialogue, as well as practical collaboration in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, in the interests of the peoples of our countries and in the support of sustainable peace and development on the African continent.
“I wish you good health and every success, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – well-being and prosperity.”
On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar wrote: “On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to convey warm congratulations to you and through you to the government and people of the Russian Federation, on this historic occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
“As we celebrate this milestone, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strengthening partnership in a manner that advances the prosperity of our peoples and contributes to a more just and equitable international order.
“Since the establishment of ties on 25th November, 1960, Nigeria and Russia have maintained a relationship characterized by mutual respect, constructive dialogue and shared aspirations for global peace, stability and development. Over the decades, our cooperation has expanded across strategic sectors including Defence, Education, Energy, Science and Technology, Space Cooperation, Trade, and Cultural Exchange.
“I look forward to deepening collaboration in economy, security and increased people-to-people exchanges.
“Please accept the assurances of my
highest consideration.”
Nigeria, Russia Celebrate 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
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