Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has mentioned that the duty of preserving trendy societies secure from the scourge of illicit medication calls for global dedication.
This is contained in an announcement on Friday in Abuja, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
Mr Marwa mentioned this whereas delivering a lecture to lecturers, college students, psychological well being professionals and Nigerians in the diaspora on the Jayhawk Welcome Centre, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, US.
The lecture is a part of the 2023 version of the Marwa Africana Lecture Series established and organised yearly since 2003 by the Department of African and African-American Studies of the college.
The lecture had as its theme “War against Substance Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking: The Nigerian Story”.
Mr Marwa whereas relieving the Nigerian expertise in the struggle towards the global drug scourge mentioned that the NDLEA had been capable of maintain an enormous cache of medication from stepping into the streets.
He defined that this was achieved by seizing them on the border or earlier than distribution, including that intelligence sharing with counterparts in supply international locations or alongside the transnational routes performed an enormous function in the success story.
The chairman mentioned that for some 33 months now, Nigeria had run an unflagging anti-illicit drug marketing campaign based mostly on global finest practices for drug regulation enforcement, and guided by UNODC’s Whole-of-Society strategy to the drug conundrum.
According to him, whereas now we have achieved outstanding mileage, the Nigerian anti-drug marketing campaign is nonetheless a piece in progress.
“Be that as it may, our achievements of the past 30 months, relative to the past 30 years, have bolstered our hope of greater accomplishments going forward.
“The support from our international partners; governments of friendly countries; the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Nigerian people have strengthened our conviction that the objective we pursue is not unrealistic.
“Now we have before us an open vista where the objective of a drug-free society is a possibility.
“The task of keeping modern society safe from the scourge of illicit drugs requires a global commitment, and in NDLEA and Nigeria, we are doing everything possible to fulfill our end of the bargain.”
The NDLEA boss additionally mentioned that the selection of phrases for the marketing campaign towards illicit medication in Nigeria was a metaphor that was reflective of the necessity for drastic steps towards a brewing illicit drug apocalypse.
He added that the conflict on medication inside the Nigerian context connoted the severity of the scenario as an existentialist menace to the Nigerian nation and the urgency and depth of motion required to carry the scenario below management.
He additional mentioned that the marketing campaign, was nonetheless, being carried out in accordance with global finest apply.
Mr Marwa additionally informed the gathering among the strategic steps taken to get constructive outcomes by NDLEA.
“In each aspect of our actions, we endeavour to undertake innovation. We upgraded our normal working procedures. We innovated our methodologies, adopted refined instruments and techniques, and embraced revolutionary paradigms in remedy.
“For occasion, to interrupt the jinx of obstacles to remedy, NDLEA commissioned a drug abuse tele-therapy centre.
“This toll-free name centre has a round the clock helpdesk to which drug customers, their households, and associates can name for help, and obtain immediate consideration from a workforce of counsellors and psychological well being professionals.
“The UN conventions inspired regulation enforcement companies in totally different international locations to work in collaboration.
“We discover the alternatives maximally by renewing and strengthening our ties with our worldwide companions, corresponding to INL and DEA right here in the United States.
“Also with Narcotics Control Bureau of India, the UK Border Force, and NCA, Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, and the French Police, amongst others, “he mentioned.
The lecture adopted an interactive session throughout which Marwa answered questions requested by members of the viewers particularly Nigerians who expressed happiness on efforts being made by the Nigerian authorities to curtail drug scourge.
Some Academics who spoke on the occasion embrace Dr Shawn Leigh, Professor and Chair, Department of African and African-American Studies, Dr Peter Ukpokodu, a Professor of African and African-American Studies.
Others have been Dr Dorthy Pennington, additionally a Professor of African and African-American Studies, Dr Amal El Haimeur, Assistant Professor of African and African-American Studies, all of University of Kansas.
“They recommended the NDLEA chairman for his management abilities and dedication to Nigeria and humanity.
NAN
