The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has unveiled the 2030 strategic vision for Nigeria.
The strategy is to complement their vision for Africa launched last year with the aim to place people and their needs in the UNODC’s responses to drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism in the continent.
Unveiling the strategic vision in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Oliver Stolpe noted that, the strategic vision focuses on five priority areas which include making Nigeria’s criminal justice system more effective.
Other priority areas he said includes, “Safeguarding institutions and the economy from illicit financial flows and corruption, fight terrorism and violent extremism, protect people and the environment from organized crime and promote health through better drug use, prevention, counselling and treatment for people who use drugs and people in detention who lived with HIV.”
Mr Oliver noted that in tackling the five priority areas UNODC will rely on five change enablers serving as catalysts for greater impact namely; “Partnership and collective action with stakeholders, incorporating Nigerian women views and contributions, promote youth empowerment and inclusion, prevention and resilience as well as innovation.”
He explained that the strategic vision is a roadmap to a more secure and prosperous Nigeria and also a model for UNODC’S renewed approach to supporting African countries.
The UNODC country representative further emphasized that the strategic vision for Nigeria is the latest result of a strong a long-standing partnership with the country.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr Benjamin Okolo said, the Nigerian government is in support of the strategic vision for Nigeria as it will help the country in achieving sustainable development goals 16 SDG’s.
“May I inform you that the Government of Nigeria has been in a long-standing partnership with the UNODC since 2001.
“I wish to also commend the UNODC on the ongoing areas of collaboration in strengthening and promoting justice and the rule of Law in Nigeria.”
He called on relevant stakeholders to give the organization the required support to achieve the successful implementation of the strategic vision.
Also, the Chief Executive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Retired Brig. Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa represented by Mr Shadrach Haruna described the launching of the strategic vision as a morale booster to the current efforts of the organization in addressing the drug menace in Nigeria.
The Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye and his counterpart of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Abdurasheed Bawa both promised to support the vision of UNODC for a financial free Nigeria.
They called for more action than being theoretical in the implementation of the strategic vision.
PIAK
