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We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA
We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen.Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that the agency is planning alternative development strategies that will take drug cartels out of business and protect the environment from the damaging effects of illicit drug cultivation and production.
The NDLEA boss disclosed this while outlining efforts by Nigeria to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug production and trafficking in his presentation at the third committee session of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA on Monday
The spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Tuesday quoted Marwa to have said: “Cartels involved in illicit drug cultivation are causing deforestation, resulting in environmental degradation. In search of a lasting solution, we are working to implement an alternative development plan. This will provide cannabis farmers with better options, like agricultural loans and improved seedlings.
“The increasing online activities of drug traffickers, particularly on the dark web, after the COVID-19 pandemic have become a great source of concern. This will require collaboration and capacity-building to neutralize the growing threat. Nigeria is also strengthening its legal framework through on-going amendments to relevant drug laws.
“Our bilateral and multilateral cooperation efforts have been expanded through the signing and renewal of memoranda of understanding with countries and agencies. This has helped to deepen intelligence sharing, exchange programmes, joint operations, and capacity building, among others.”
Marwa also said the Nigeria’s premier anti-narcotics agency will continue to identify gaps and build bridges, both in dismantling drug trafficking cartels and providing access to treatment and counselling services.
He said: “More policies to protect vulnerable groups such as women, children, and displaced persons will be implemented. To maintain a clear lead over drug trafficking groups, we will continue to engage in thoughtful regulations and targeted strategic law enforcement that are intelligence-led and human rights-centred. We will also leverage stakeholder collaboration as we make progress in the implementation of the SDGs. No stone must be left unturned, and no community, group, or individual must be left behind. We must extend the fight against drugs on all fronts and ensure that our communities are safe, healthy, and peaceful”, he told the global gathering.”
He added that Nigeria is adopting a whole-of-society approach to countering the challenges of drug trafficking in line with the 2030 SDG agenda, which seeks to promote the rule of law, health, peace, and justice, stressing that: “Therefore, while ramping up law enforcement efforts to halt the illicit supply of drugs, we are equally promoting evidence-based drug prevention, treatment, and care programmes.”
Marwa while stating that Nigeria is concentrating efforts on mitigating the challenges of narcotic drugs, he declared that “the drug demand reduction strategies are also helping to address the problem of stigmatization and discrimination against people with drug use disorders. This includes the introduction of a 24/7 toll-free call centre where people can call from the comfort of their homes to access quality counselling, treatment, and care.”
He noted that: “Remarkable progress has also been made in early prevention programmes in schools and communities. This is in accordance with SDG 3, which seeks to promote good health and well-being. One of the approaches is to build the capacity of young people and provide them with the basic coping skills they need to succeed in life. The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the MTN Foundation, is promoting the Unplugged Drug Programme in schools.
“I am glad to inform that the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021–2025 is in its third year. This is Nigeria’s strategic document for addressing the world drug problem. One of its advantages is the involvement of stakeholders at all levels of government. The master plan provides a multi-agency intelligence-led model that is aimed at disrupting drug trafficking cartels and targeting illicit drug assets and wealth.
“In addition to the NDCMP, there is the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, which provides stakeholders with a platform to promote anti-drug abuse enlightenment efforts. With this development, we have given equal opportunity to drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts. The active participation of non-governmental organizations and civil society groups has raised awareness among various groups, including traditional rulers, students, opinion leaders, and religious leaders about the dangers of drug abuse and the need to address it.”
We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA
ECOWAS, Private Sector Unveil Strategies to Boost Tourism in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the private tourism sector and other stakeholders have unveiled strategic initiatives aimed at boosting tourism across the region.
The strategies are contained in a communique issued following a 3-day high level strategic dialogue between ECOWAS, West African private sector tourism stakeholders and experts in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the communique, the meeting recommended that the private tourism sector should formulate a request for funding for the activities of ECOTOUR 19-29 Country Operational Units to the ECOWAS Commission.
It was also recommended that the private tourism sector should generate funds from Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs) with a view to implementing a robust and sustainable regional tourism for economic growth.
The communique also advised the private tourism sector to identify and seek the support of technical and financial partners (TFPs) to support the private tourism sector, practitioners were also asked to initiate and
sign a partnership agreement among themselves and the ECOWAS Commission.
The communique also recommended that ECOWAS Member States should provide national classification commissions and structures in charge of resource regulation.
It also urged them to organize awareness-raising sessions for industry stakeholders on the new regulations.
Also recommended is the organisation of capacity building sessions for national classification commissions and regulatory structures. by the ECOWAS Commission.
It also recommended that Member States should establish harmonized tourism satellite accounts, as well as transmit and make available the new regulations for their individual countries.
The communique also recommended that the ECOWAS Commission should conduct a mid-term evaluation of ECOTOUR 19-29.
The communique was signed by the Director, Hospitality and Travel Trade, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.
Mrs Ruth Ndam, President, Hotel Ranking Commission of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Boka Georges, and Director General of Tourism of Guinea Bissau, Mr Massa Cande.
ECOWAS, Private Sector Unveil Strategies to Boost Tourism in West Africa
FG to Collaborate with Traditional Institutions to Protect and Preserve Environment
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal has stated that the Federal Government will continue to collaborate with the traditional institutions in the country, especially in protection and preservation of the environment through discouraging tree felling and promoting clean cooking.
The Minister disclosed this when the Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment, His Royal Highness, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibrin paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Thursday.
Balarabe stated that the Ministry is doing alot in tackling environmental challenges such as plastic waste, erosion and flood, desertification, drought control and other climate change challenges.
He assured the visiting monarch that being the former Minister of Environment, he would build on his legacy and achieve the mandate of the Ministry in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on environment.
Earlier, the Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment, his Royal Highness, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibrin commended the staff of the Ministry for tackling environmental challenges in the country and assured the Minister of the Traditional institutions unalloyed support to achieve the mandate of the Ministry.
The Emir enjoined the Ministry to work as a team to promote environmental sustainability, emphasizing that “environment is the only one we have, so let us make it conducive”
In another development, the Honourable Minister received in audience the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, H. E Salem Saeed on an official working visit to the Federal Ministry of Environment where important bilateral discussions where centred on Environmental issues such as the Just concluded COP28 held in Dubai, UAE last year, plastic pollution challenges, desertification control, tree planting, erosion and flood control among others.
The Minister commended the UAE for hosting the event and also appreciated the President of COP28, Sultan al-Jabar who provided the outcome of the discussions with an agreement that signal the ” beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, unpinned by deep emissions cuts and scale up finance.
Balarabe further revealed that there are alot of areas of collaborations between Nigeria and UAE, most especially on the outcome of decisions reached during COP28.
He also commended President of UAE for resuming flight tickets to the County and the starting issuance of visa to Nigerians starting from 1st October, 2024.
Earlier, the Ambassador of UAE to Nigeria, H. E Salem Saeed congratulated the Honourable Minister of Environment on his well deserved appointment and disclosed that the Ministry is doing very well most especially the participation of Nigeria in Conference of Parties (COP28) In Dubai last year.
Saeed stated that Nigeria and UAE would continue to collaborate and partner on areas of mutual interest on environmental sustainability.
It would be recalled that United Arab Emirates (UAE), last year hosted the COP28 in Dubai with the slogan:UNITE, ACT, DELIVER.”
FG to Collaborate with Traditional Institutions to Protect and Preserve Environment
Chinese envoy advocates harmony as driver of development
By: Michael Mike
The Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Zhang Yi has emphasized the need for Nigeria to embrace harmony as key driver towards national development.
Zhang stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a Seminar: “Promoting Harmony Through Mutual Learning” organised by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with China Alumni Association and the University of Abuja.
The envoy drawing parallels with China’s own journey towards economic prosperity, shared insights on how embracing diversity while prioritizing harmony had been instrumental in China’s growth story.
According to him, the concept of harmony from Longman dictionary is when people live or work together without fighting or disagreeing with each other.
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He said: “Harmony is more emphasised by the Chinese people in our culture. At the level of man and nature, we advocate harmony in coexistence; at the level of family and society, we advocate harmony in integration.
“At the level of nation and civilization, we advocate harmony in diversity: at the level of state and governance, we advocate harmony in development.
“We believe that fostering harmony among various ethnic groups, fostering political stability, and prioritizing infrastructure development were crucial steps towards unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.
“In short, our ultimate goal is to create a harmonious world with peaceful development of mankind.
“As we know, friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations, and our cultures can build the friendship bridge connecting China and Nigeria,”he said.
Zhang reiterated China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development efforts through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and infrastructure investments.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two nations in key sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications to drive economic growth and create opportunities for both countries.
Head of Political Science and International Relations Department University of Abuja, Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, on his part, said that the seminar comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria, as the nation grapples with issues of insecurity, economic challenges, and social tensions.
Chinese envoy advocates harmony as driver of development
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ECOWAS, Private Sector Unveil Strategies to Boost Tourism in West Africa
FG to Collaborate with Traditional Institutions to Protect and Preserve Environment
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