The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria, has restated its commitment to strengthen ties with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to eradicate all forms of illegal use of hard drugs in the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Abdullahi Abubakar Bata made this known while receiving the State Commander of the Agency, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim in his office on a courtesy visit.
Bata disclosed that the increased rate of drug abuse among youths has become worrisome for the state government, stressing the urgent need for the relevant organs of government to come up with measures to tame the menace.
The Commissioner stressed how timely the visit of the agency was, and how this would avail him the opportunity to discuss and map out strategies that will be utilized in ensuring that the consumption of harmful drugs is discouraged through the sensitization of youths to make them realise the dangers associated with drug addiction.
He explained further the importance, which the present administration under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq attaches to youths in the state, through the composition of the State Executive Council, and the numerous developmental policies and projects that have great impacts on the youths.
Bata disclosed that he would ensure that the campaign against illicit drugs is carried out in all the Council Areas in the state through the establishment of Local Government Drug Control Committees.
The Commissioner also assured the agency that an interface with all the 16 Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairmen will be implemented, to address them on the need for a robust collaboration and engagement of relevant stakeholders, especially the Community Development Associations.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo Modupe Adekeye, who described the agency’s visit to the Ministry as an honour, stressed the urgent need for the total eradication of hard drugs through the creation of NDLEA offices in all the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.
She pledged the Ministry’s maximum cooperation and support, adding that the doors of the Ministry are widely opened to ideas, innovations, and suggestions.
Earlier, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Ibrahim, appreciated the Commissioner for availing the agency the opportunity to interface with the Ministry’s management team.
He congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment, and appreciated the governor for appointing brilliant minds to oversee the affairs of the various sectors in the state.
The NDLEA boss expressed confidence in the ability of the Commissioner to succeed in office going by his antecedents during his tenure as a local government administrator.
Ibrahim stated that his agency has come to solicit for collaboration with the Ministry in the fight against drug abuse in the state, pointing out that this can only be achieved by having on board critical stakeholders, who could be accessed through the Ministry, citing the TIC Chairmen and people at the grassroots level as good examples.
The Commander also laid emphasis on the need for the establishment of Local Government Drugs Control Committees across the 16 Local Government Areas in the state, saddled with the responsibilities of curtailing abuse of drugs and control, and engagement in sensitization programmes at the grassroots level.
According to him, personnel and manpower are already available, while capacity building for critical stakeholders at the various Primary Health Centres should be given due consideration and attention by the state government.
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