President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s dedication in direction of guaranteeing a world that was not threatened by illicit drugs abuse and trafficking.
Mr Tinubu stated this on the thirty first assembly of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa, HONLAF, on Tuesday in Abuja
The President, nevertheless, vowed to make sure that the nation was not became a minefield of illicit drug trafficking.
The Conference was hosted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The Chairman of the company, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, was elected the Chairman of HONLAF on the assembly.
Mr Tinubu, who was represented by his Deputy, Kashim Shettima, promised that his administration would proceed to present the required assist, motivation and instruments for the NDLEA to fulfill its mandate.
According to him, “we are at the mercy of a threat that knows neither race nor geography, neither gender nor social class. 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 civilisation erased.
“So I must commend you for your sacrifices in the bid to keep our world drug free, sane and safe.
“This conference emphasised 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 for creating this avenue, for offering intelligence and drug law enforcement officers a grand opportunity to compare notes.
“We also appreciate that we will collaborate and build networks that would be several states ahead of the criminal network of transnational drug organisations,” he stated.
Tinubu stated that the selection of Nigeria for the gathering was a profound recognition of the marketing campaign and battle in opposition to illicit drugs in Nigeria.
He stated that the NDLEA internet hosting the HONLAF assembly was to reassure all of the promise to take part in constructing a world not threatened by the infiltration of illicit drugs.
He added, “over the decades, criminal organisations have attempted to breach our security measures in their business of polluting nations and minds.
“But while it is a compliment that drug law enforcement organisations are a threat to their criminal empires, their desperation must never be taken for granted,” he stated.
According to him, “we have the commitment to fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. It is not just a matter of policy. It is a moral imperative. We recognise that a population at war with drugs is not a dividend but a liability.
“We believe in the future of our youths, the strength of our institutions and the well-being of our communities depend on our ability to eradicate this threat.
“So I appeal to you to see this gathering as an avenue for the exchange of novel ideas and the development of practical strategies.
“We must consolidate established contacts, operational partnerships, and cooperation to ensure that the outcomes of these days of deliberation would advance public safety and the emergence of drug-free African communities,” he stated.
