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ACON Wants Specialised Agency For Drug Addicts

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The African Council on Narcotics (ACON) has for the umpteenth time called for the establishment of a specialized agency that can cater for the growing number of drug addicts in the country.
The group has also commended Nigeria’s apex illicit drug interdiction body, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its tireless efforts in the war against narcotics and psychotropic substances.
ACON President, Rekpene Bassey, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, expressed delight over the recent operation by the agency in what appeared to be the biggest single cocaine seizure in the history of the NDLEA on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Recall that the NDLEA, after cordoning off, successfully raided a major warehouse in a secluded estate in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State where 1.8 tons, or about 1855 kilograms, of the drug were impounded, whose street value is estimated at $278,250,000, or the equivalent of N149.7 billion.
Expressing delight in the successes of the General Buba Marwa-led agency, Bassey said, “The only other time that the agency made such a huge seizure was on December 23, 1993, when one Joe Brown Akubueze was arrested for importing 258 kilograms of heroin in 649 packs from Bangkok, neatly wrapped in transparent polythene and embossed with the figure 666, whose street value was estimated at N44 billion through the Apapa Wharf in Lagos.
“Needless to say, last Sunday’s operation was well coordinated following a string of undercover investigations and actionable intelligence. Consequently, several drug barons have been apprehended in the operation.
“Some of those apprehended included Kevin Smith, a Jamaican citizen, along with his Nigerian collaborators.

“However, while the agency is being commended, several questions come to the fore. For instance, how, when, and from where did such large quantities of narcotics get into the country?

“Another question is related to these two. Could these drugs have been produced in Nigeria? The answer is obviously no, because coca plants, from which cocaine is produced, are not cultivated and processed in Nigeria.

“Assuming, therefore, that the drug was smuggled into the country, why was it that the various security operatives representing official security agencies at our air, land, and marine borders were not able to prevent it from being smuggled into the country?

“Another question is, could there be other secret drug depots in other locations within the country? And it could also be asked further why it took so long to uncover and execute the Ikorodu raid.

“All that said, we seize the opportunity to request that thorough investigations be conducted to unearth all relevant facts and possibly obtain other leads on the subject.”

The ACON boss advised the federal government to re-double its determination backed by political will in the fight against illicit drugs given the high rate of prevalence of substance abuse and the debilitating damage it is causing among our youth, many of whom have taken to the drug culture.

“This is besides other damaging sociological consequences of the drug scourge on the nation,” he said.

He further said, “we urge institutions such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and other government agencies to strengthen control and preventive measures to reduce the availability of dangerous drugs derived from pharmaceutical products.

“Moreover, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our call for the establishment of a specialized agency that can cater to the growing number of drug addicts in our society.”

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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