At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Guard Time Information, Human Rights Activists Nationwide, was officially invited by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, alongside the Deputy Chairman and other members of the Committee.
The event attracted key stakeholders, including representatives of the NDLEA, NAFDAC, Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration Service, EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), as well as NGOs, CSOs, state governments, and international organizations.
Speaking at the meeting, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, emphasized that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, is deeply committed to ending drug trafficking in Nigeria, particularly in view of the rising abuse of alcohol and tobacco across the country.
Also speaking, Prof. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, Ph.D., Chairman of the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, expressed serious concern over the increasing involvement of primary and secondary school students in drug abuse. He assured that with the support of the Ad-Hoc Committee and other relevant bodies, meaningful progress would be achieved.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Guard Time Information, Human Rights Activists Nationwide, Mr. Bibi Oduku, highlighted the devastating impact of drug trafficking and the abuse of alcohol and other substances on society. He noted the alarming rate of deaths and criminal activities linked to drug abuse and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between civil society organizations and federal law enforcement agencies. He added that such collaboration would help in apprehending drug traffickers, abusers, and pharmaceutical industries involved in the production and circulation of unwholesome and expired products.
Mr. Oduku further disclosed that investigative units of his organization across various states have reported similar cases of drug trafficking. He assured that intelligence gathered would be consolidated and shared with law enforcement agencies to support efforts aimed at ending the menace.
The National Project Officer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Abuja, Dr. Femi Ajayi, stated that the organization remains open to developmental programmes addressing drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria and will continue to provide necessary support.
Meanwhile, Comrade Efe Andrew, Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State on Drug Abuse, outlined the efforts of the Edo State Government in tackling drug trafficking and related crimes. He noted, however, that the state still requires support from the Presidency and relevant federal agencies, particularly in terms of legal backing.
In his closing remarks, Amb. Yusuf Salisu Nas, Head of Volunteers at A New Thing International Foundation and Lead Consultant to the Ad-Hoc Committee on Drugs Trafficking and Abuse, assured participants that the Committee is acting under firm directives from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON. He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to ending drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that the Chairman, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, and all members of the Committee are determined to work tirelessly to safeguard Nigeria from the scourge of drugs and substance abuse.