News
Desperate Politicians’ll Lure Youths With Drugs, Marwa Warns
Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen.Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said that drugs would be purchased by desperate politicians and be shared to youths.
Marwa also condemned the use of illicit drugs, especially Canabis Sativa, to cook food.
He spoke, yesterday, in Lagos at the 10th Anniversary Lecture and Investiture into the Hall of Fame organised by Real news, an online publishing outfit.
“People use drugs to prepare cookies, pepper soup, among others. This is dangerous and condemnable,” he declared.
The theme of the programme was “Drug Abuse Among Youths in Africa: Implications for Nigeria Economy and 2023 elections”.
He regretted that traffickers had continued to manufacture and share illicit drugs in spite of NDLEA’s efforts to tackle the menace.
Marwa said that the agency would not relent in its war on the drug barons, declaring that NDLEA would “fight them to the end”.
He also vowed that the agency would prosecute drug peddlers and users so as to rid the country of drugs.
He regretted that more than 10.6million youths were illicit drugs consumers.
Marwa also announced that 19,000 illicit drug offenders had been arrested in the last 22 months, with 3,011 offenders prosecuted.
On the implications of illicit drug consumption by youths on the 2023 elections, he said that drugs would be purchased by desperate politicians and be shared to youths they want to use.
He regretted that some Nigerians were pushing for the legalisation of Cannabis.
“Some top Nigerians are canvassing for liberalisation of Marijuana. They want to be allowed to plant it.
“This sends wrong signals to Nigerian youths; they are being encouraged to keep doing something wrong.
“Instead of seeking to legalise it, people should support us to battle this ugly monster,” he said.
Marwa warned of heinous consequences by 2030, if stakeholders refused to rise up to fight illicit drug consumption by year 2030.
“If we don’t fight hard, the situation in the country may be pathetic in 2030.
“By 2030, the consumption of illicit drugs, if not checked, will rise by 40per cent in Africa and Nigeria may be the worst hit,” he said.
Earlier in her address, the Publisher of RealNews, Mrs Maureen Ochigbo, had regretted the high consumption of illicit drugs by youths, and described the situation as scary and disheartening.
“The current state of consumption of illicit drugs by Nigerian youths is disheartening.
“These youths are losing their potentials to serve the nation; this is worrisome,” she said.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
-
News4 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Oborevwori Condoles Diri, Family, Bayelsans Over Passing Ewhrudjakpo’s Passing
-
Politics2 days ago
DEFECTION: FUBARA HAS ENDED SPECULATIONS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE — NWOGU
-
Politics2 days ago
Alleged Tax Law Changes Risk Eroding Public Trust — CISLAC
-
Maritime2 days agoImo Category C Victory: NIMASA Staff Host Executive Management Party
-
Politics2 days ago
HILDA DOKUBO ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP, DENIES FACTIONS IN RIVERS LP
-
Rivers2 days ago
Group Urges LGA Chairmen To Prioritise Accountability, People-Centred Governance
-
Sports2 days ago
Brighton’s Disappointing Run Continues
