Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Akanu Ibiam International Airport Special Area Command, Enugu , Rosana Nnodim, has decried high rate of drug abuse and traficking in the country, saying that harmful drugs induce violence and should be stamped out of the society.
She made this known on Tuesday, when she paid a courtesy visit on the governor of Enugu state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the deputy governor, Hon(Mrs) Cecilia Ezeilo.
Nnodim who said that ” over 90% of illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria was from the south east, raised alarm on the influx of harmful drugs in Enugu state. She said that Akanu Ibiam International Airport has not resumed operation,yet the rate at which illicit drugs were brought into the state is alarming.
“Problem of drug abuse and illicit practising is a global problem. Nigeria is one of the ravaged country. 90% of illicit drug is from the south east , People of the South East put all their energies in whatever they do. The positive ones do it well , the negative ones do whatever they wish’, she said.
The commander said that the NDLEA has offices across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja liason office, ,a special.area command, and five Airport commands.
She enumerated dangers of drug abuse to include various kinds of violence.
“We all know the security challenges in the country There are influx of drugs in Enugu. We have been making arrests. Drugs and crimes go hand in hand. Take away drugs and 80% of the crime is reduced Drug induces violence Most of these drugs are manufactured in Nigeria. This is an ill wind that knows no bounds .Get drug out of circulation ,” she appealed.
Nnodim also
solicited the support of the Enugu state government to help ithe agency perform iit’s duty optimally.
Responding, Ezeilo commended the NDLEA for establishing two major formations in Enugu state, (the state command and the special area command,) a development she said, “that clearly underscores the importance that the agency attached to the state, not only as the capital of Eastern Nigeria, but also as a major economic and commercial hub
” This dual and effective presence , will go a long way in ensuring that the state derives maximum attention and benefits from the agency that would manifest in the achievement of total freedom from the menace of the production, trafickking, and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances” she said.
Ezeilo observed that ” illegal drug production, trafficking , consumption and abuse have been discovered to be at the root of many problems of society today, including but not limited to gender-based violence ,insurgency, armed robbery, , banditry, human rights abuses, security operatives-on- civilians violence, poor economic productivity, national economic mismanagement and even corruptiom.
“So the NDLEA must quickly and urgently rise up to the challenge of achieving substantial drug supply control and demand reduction through effective suppression of illicit manufacturing and trafficking
” Very importantly, drug demand reduction measures by the agency and it’s collaborators must of neccessity facilitate a collective capacity to stimultaneously address supply and demand
“The agency must also provide it’s operatives with be the requisite training technology and expertise, in order to build their capacity to respond effectively to new emerging threats in the drug problem, thus, continuously adapting it’s overall drug control strategies to the changing trends of drug abuse”,she said
The Deputy governor assured the Commander of the state government”s wlingness to collaborate with the formations of the agency in the state inorder to achieve a drug free society
“We would be very much disposed to offer you all assistance necessary for success in your assignment in the state.,” she said.
The deputy governor urged the NDLEA to step up it’s patnership with organisations and institutions that incubate adolescents and young people such as schools and faith and community-based organisations in order to create the impacts at these stages.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) , South East Area office, has Ugwuanyi for his administration’s support for the scheme, appealing to the state government to enlist nterest in the harnessing and effective utilization of corps members’ talents for the socio- economic development of the state .
The Director, NYSC, south east area office, Ngozi Nwatarali gave the commendation on Tuesday, when she led management of the NYSC, south east area office on a courtesy visit on the governor at Government house Enugu.
She appreciated the State government for allocating office complex and residential accommodation for the South East Area office use. Completion of the perimeter fence at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Awgu. Payment of State allowances to corps members and honouring ex– corps members’ who had president”s NYSC honours award recently .
The director assured the governor that the NYSC will continue to justify government’s investments through greater commitment to the socio- economic development of Enugu state in the areas of agriculture, labour supply, health, education,law, elections, capacity building , digital skills, among others .
She informed the governor of the resolutions of the meeting between the NYSC top management and the representatives of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory(FCT), which are as follows: “All states where area offices are located should provide facilities to ensure the effectiveness of their operations.
“States should improve and upgrade the orientation camp facilities to attain 5,000 capacity . The funfare associated with the President’s NYSC honours award should be replicated at the state and local government levels.
” Provision of adequate land for agriculture. State and local government . Support the legal aid scheme to ensure justice for the indigent and down trodden. State and local government should plan and budget for corps projects before corps members’ arrival
” State should encourage local governments to explore involvement of corps members’ in the establishment of digital and virtual learning platforms as their community development service to aid extra mural in learning in rural communities.
” Proper formation of NYSC state Governing board and for state government to encourage local governments to form local government committees as enshrined in the Act.
“The State governments need to create special incentives for corps members’ serving in rural areas and difficult terrains.
“There is need to provide ambulance for the health care needs of corps members’ in the state”
She said that the NYSC will key into the State government’s developmental stride to make the state better
Responding, Ezeilo, who received the NYSC team on behalf of Ugwuanyi, said that “the NYSC is well placed to help Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from the humongous size of its youth population
“In their eternal wisdom, the founding fathers of the NYSC envisioned the scheme to play an invaluable role in national integration , national orientation, youth development and employment , strengthening of Nigeria’s unity and it’s accelerated socio-economic development “, she said.
Ezeilo noted that youths are the future of the society and therefore , “responsibility of the youth at any level is a great privilege which calls for maximum reciprocal investment in their security welfare and optimum development.”
She said that Enugu State government,”since inception in 2015, made a tradition of paying serious attention to the security and welfare of the corps members serving in the state, with a view to not only providing them the conducive conditions to enable them regard the state as a second home , but also enabling them to enact their full potentials in contributing to the economic growth of the state”.
