National News
WHY WE MUST CRUSH ILLICIT DRUG SYNDICATES – TINUBU
WHY WE MUST CRUSH ILLICIT DRUG SYNDICATES – TINUBU
By: Our Reporter
Urges continent’s anti-narcotic agencies to consolidate partnerships
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored heads of national drug law enforcement agencies in Africa to renew the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their respective countries.
Specifically, the Nigerian leader warned vehemently that the African continent would remain in chains till it breaks free from the shackles of the criminal enterprises of drug barons and syndicates of illicit drugs.
President Tinubu sounded the warning in Abuja on Tuesday when he declared open the 31st meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
“If we don’t dismantle the criminal enterprises that threaten our future and build a brighter tomorrow for all Africans, we will remain in chains in a diseased and amoral world, as will our children and their children,” he told the anti-narcotics agencies’ chiefs.
In his keynote address titled, ‘Rising Above the Drug Threat’, the President who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, observed that Africa was “at the mercy of a threat that knows neither race nor geography, neither gender nor social class”.
To this effect, he enjoined the heads of drug law enforcement agencies to consider the conference in Abuja as a ray of hope and a catalyst for positive change across the continent.
President Tinubu thanked them for their sacrifices in ensuring a world that is free of illicit drugs.
He said, “This threat has crossed borders and destroyed societies and dreams. Without the moral commitment of the men and women in this room, this threat would have left cities, countries, and even civilizations erased. So, I must commend you for your sacrifices in the bids to keep our world drug-free, sane and safe.
“This conference emphasizes your investment across borders to protect us from the devastation of drugs, a threat that only submits to the enforcement of the law.
“Therefore, we are grateful to HONLAF and its partners, notably the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for creating this avenue, for offering intelligence and drug law enforcement officials a grand opportunity to compare notes, collaborate, and build networks that would be several steps ahead of the criminal network of drug transnational organizations.”
Tinubu noted that in the last couple of decades, criminal organisations had made frantic efforts to breach the security measures in African countries, all in a bid to pollute the minds of their citizens, adding however that the anti-narcotics agencies have proven to be a thorn in their flesh.
The President who doubles as the chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stated: “But while it’s a compliment that drug-law enforcement organizations are a threat to their criminal empires, their desperation must never be taken for granted.
“Without you as gatekeepers of healthy nations, humanity as we know it would have long been perverted. So, on behalf of the world, I say: thank you, thank you to all of you who have kept us from being polluted and destroyed.
“For us, the commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse is not just a matter of policy; it is a moral imperative. We recognize that a population at war with drugs is not a dividend but a liability. We believe that the future of our youth, the strength of our institutions, and the well-being of our communities depend on our ability to eradicate this threat.”
President Tinubu further stressed the need for the anti-narcotics agencies to consolidate established contacts, strengthen operational existing partnerships and cooperation among them at the sub-regional and regional levels. This, he said, would make trafficking of illicit drugs and movement of drug syndicates difficult in the African continent.
On the choice of Nigeria for the conference, President Tinubu said it is a profound recognition of the campaign and fight against illicit drugs in the country by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“We are hosting the 31st HONLAF meeting here to reassure you of our promise to participate in building a world not threatened by the infiltration of illicit drugs,” he added.
Declaring the meeting open, the President said, “while I encourage you to take some time out from the busy schedule of your programs to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Abuja, I thank you for your dedication and resolve in this noble cause and look forward to the fruitful discussions and partnerships that will emerge from this gathering.
Welcoming guests earlier, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), restated the stakeholders’ commitment to addressing the world’s drug problem, noting that Nigeria will continue to uphold the objectives of multilateral organizations dedicated to combating drug trafficking and related crimes.
He emphasized the need for global partnerships in addressing drug trafficking and other vices, noting that the world’s drug problem cannot be effectively tackled by individual entities.
Speakers at the opening session of the meeting included the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Mr Ghada Fathi Waly; the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Oliver Stolpe; The Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mr Ayodele Adeleke, and Representative of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, among others.
WHY WE MUST CRUSH ILLICIT DRUG SYNDICATES – TINUBU
National News
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Launches Creative Industries Technical Working Group
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Launches Creative Industries Technical Working Group
By: Michael Mike
In a major stride toward fostering innovation and collaboration, the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria have officially launched the Creative Industries Technical Working Group, marking a pivotal development in the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP). This partnership aims to deepen bilateral ties and create a robust framework for growth within the creative sectors of both nations.
The launch of this Working Group and a match-making event for UK-Nigeria creatives industries leaders which took place in London on Tuesday, represents a milestone in the UK-Nigeria relationship, designed to boost innovation, cross-border
creative collaborations, and drive sustainable economic growth and development. Both events provided a dynamic platform to explore new opportunities and form commercial alliances within key creative subsectors such as Film and TV, Music, Fashion & Design, Architecture, Advertising, and Gaming.
A statement by the British High Commission in Nigeria, said: “By prioritising collaboration and cultural exchange, the initiative is poised to foster long-term growth, enhance job creation, and unlock new pathways for creativity and innovation in both countries.”
It revealed that a Terms of Reference and joint workplan for 2025 were also agreed upon to guide the Group’s focus and efforts.
Speaking on the significance of the launch, Florence Eshalomi MP, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group, remarked: “Today marks a significant moment as we launch the UK-Nigeria Creatives Working Group. Our nations share a rich cultural bond and a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, through music, film,fashion, and arts.
“This initiative, rooted in our landmark Enhanced Trade & Investment Partnerships (ETIP), will drive stronger trade ties, foster deeper collaboration, and unlock the full potential of our creative industries. By enhancing market access and investing in skills, we are opening doors to new opportunities that will create jobs and boost economic growth in the UK and in Nigeria.”
Emphasising the need for deeper creative and cultural ties, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group in Nigeria, Mr. Obi Asika,, said: “Nigeria’s creative economy is a global force, driven by our storytellers, musicians, designers, and digital innovators. From Nollywood to Afrobeats, fashion to gaming, our industries are reshaping global culture and commerce. However, to unlock the full potential of this sector, we need strategic investment and support not just in talent, but in the institutions and infrastructure that will sustain long-term growth.”
Representing Mr., Obi Asika from the Nigerian side, Prince Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Creativity, underscored the importance of leveraging UK expertise for impactful collaborations: “The UK’s creative industries stand as a global benchmark for institutional excellence, market distribution, and innovation. We are eager to tap into your expertise for meaningful partnerships. This Working Group isn’t just about discussions – it’s about taking concrete actions that will yield tangible outcomes for creators, businesses, and industry stakeholders on both sides.”
Also speaking on behalf of the music industry, Product Lead at Gbedu Labs Adedayo Ayoade, said:“The future of Nigeria’s music industry lies in live experiences, innovation, and global collaborations. The launch of the Creative Industries Technical Working Group, under the ETIP framework, represents a significant first step towards bridging cultures and amplifying the voices of the next generation.”
The launch of the Working Group and match-making event which took the form of a series of in person dialogues attended by officials from the UK and Nigerian
governments as well as creatives and served as an institutional framework for deliberations and actions.
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Launches Creative Industries Technical Working Group
National News
LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
By: Michael Mike
The House of Representative committee on Public Petitions has commended the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi for numerous achievements made by the NSCDC in ensuring a crime-free mining environment.
The lawmakers expressed their delight in the operational plan of the NSCDC Mining Marshals and the relentless onslaught against economic saboteurs within the mining sector.
“We are impressed with the Mining Marshals’effort to salvage the nation from the hands of thieves and infiltrators”.
While charging the Corps to keep up the good work, the House Committee further requested the Marshals to provide the activity schedule of operations within four weeks.
Representing the NSCDC Commandant General; the Mining Marshals Commander; ACC John Onoja Attah made the presentation and assured the committee of a thorough judicial process and reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring the every case is prosecuted diligently and justly at the closure of a thorough investigation.
ACC Attah hinted that the Corps under the Audi led administration had reinvigorated and repositioned the NSCDC to prosecute it’s statutory mandates with due diligence and loyalty.
He said there are no daunting challenges that could outweigh the deliberate commitment made by the Corps to ensure sanctity within the Mining industry.
LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
NIMC: Modify Your Data on Our Portal or Risk Identity Theft
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned against modification of data on the National Identification Number (NIN) from source other than the official NIMC self-service portal, stating that doing this make someone open to identity threat.
A statement on Monday by the Commission’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke read:
“The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to state that in order to ensure the security and integrity of your National Identification Number (NIN) data, modifications can only be done on the official NIMC self-service portal:
Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng
“Do not attempt to modify your NIN data on any unauthorized websites,as this may compromise your personal information and put you at risk of identity theft.
“By using the official NIMC self-service portal, you can be rest assured that your data is secure and protected. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of updating your information from anywhere, at any time.
So,remember:for all your NIN modification needs,click on
Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.
For further information and inquiries, kindly visit the NIMC website at www.nimc.gov.ng
or send a mail to nimccustomercare@nimc.gov.ng or call the customer care line on 070022556462
“Your security and peace of mind are worth it!
NIMC: Modify Your Data on Our Portal or Risk Identity Theft
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