Day: June 26, 2024

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun upgrading surveillance infrastructure in airports and other remote installations to enhance safety and security of the nation’s airspace.

Its Managing Director, Mr Ahmed Farouk, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Farouk also said that President Bola Tinubu had approved an onsite visit to Spain by critical staff of the agency to inspect some facilities and engage technology solution providers.

He said that NAMA received a team from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to discuss salient issues on safety and security of the nation’s airspace.

According to Farouk, the collaboration between NAMA and NAF is critical to the sustenance of Nigeria’s airspace safety and security.

‘NAMA handles civil operations, while the air force oversees security. Our close collaboration is vital for maintaining a safe and secure airspace,’ he said.

He quoted the leader of the NAF delegation, AVM Abubakar Abdulkadir, as saying that NAF recently deployed ne
w platforms designed for national air defence.

Farouk also quoted Abdulkadir as saying that NAF had completed day training and was about to finish night training which would enable rapid interception of any intrusion in the airspace.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that Nigeria recorded 75,000 new infected HIV cases and 45,000 HIV-related deaths in 2023.

She made this known at a two-day National Prevention Technical Working Group (NPTWG) meeting organised by NACA in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said although there is gradual reduction in new HIV infections, there is need to implement the recommendations made at the 2024 Nigeria HIV Prevention conference and ongoing meeting to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030.

She added that, ‘it is disheartening to know that in 2023, we had as much as 75,000 new infections and 45,000 HIV-related deaths.

‘This is a cause for concern. And we also know that even in our Mother-To-Child Transmission, we are just about 35 to 40 per cent as against the 75 per cent target. So, we know we have a lot of work to do.’

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, therefore, urged stakeholders to discuss progress on actions and st
rategies toward preventing HIV transmission.

Pate, who was represented by Dr Bashorun Adebobola, the National Coordinator, National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NASCP), said: ‘We should strengthen our communication strategies in such a way that we can pass the right message.

‘Even though we have made impressive gains, it does not mean that we are still not at risk or threat of a rebound of the infection and this is where communication needs to be strengthened so that we can achieve that overall goal before 2030.’

Dr Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, noted that Nigeria, and many countries, are not on track to meeting the 2025 prevention target.

He said that, ‘ in spite of remarkable progress, prevention of new HIV infections is still a challenge, as many countries, including Nigeria are not on track to meeting the 2025 prevention target.

‘We are here as UNAIDS and UN system in support and solidarity to government’s efforts to address HIV prevention and appreciate the renewe
d and continued leadership of NACA on HIV prevention.

‘From the 2023 estimates, 45,000 deaths and 75,000 new infections is huge. We still have a lot to do’.

Zekeng suggested that the roadmap to be developed should include quarterly performance framework for accountability and progress monitoring.

On his part, Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, the National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), stressed the need for HIV treatment as best option for prevention.

He said, ‘once someone is living with HIV, he/she must adhere to medications, then definitely the chances of transmitting HIV to another person is zero’.

Evans Emerson, Deputy Country Coordinator, U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), emphasised the inclusion of youths, key populations and others to eliminate HIV as a public threat.

Emerson reiterated the commitment of the U.S. to support with funding to implement innovative strategies and approaches to HIV prevention and treatment in Nigeria.

The Ne
ws Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NACA director-general also unveiled the 2024 HIV Prevention Conference Technical Report and Communique.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

Former Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mike Okiro has called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force to work in harmony for national security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police had alleged irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of Constables by the PSC during the 2022/23 batch.

Okiro, in a statement in Abuja, said that the fight against insecurity would remain a mirage, unless the commission and the police worked in harmony.

According to him, what Nigerians desire now is how the country will exit the ravaging insecurity pervading the land.

‘I implore both parties to eschew whatever be their perceived bitterness and embrace the fact that their jobs go hand in hand.

‘Their focus should be how to meet the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian people. That can only happen when mutual respect exists between both parties.

‘I am very concerned that a minute issue that can be resolved through robust dialogue was allowed to fester to the level of wa
shing dirty linens in public,’ he said.

He said that the lingering problem had done collateral damage to their public image, and ridiculed the international standing of Nigeria.

Okiro said that the powers of recruitment, discipline and promotion of police personnel other than the I-G, was vested in the PSC.

‘It is not right for any police personnel to contemplate engaging in any misconduct in the course of performing assumed official duties,’ he said.

Okiro, who is a former chairman of the PSC, urged the commission to avoid over-flogging certain issues in the public domain.

‘To move forward, it is imperative to work quickly and assiduously to address the real challenges facing Nigerians; else, the goodwill enjoyed by both parties will soon dissipate.

‘This will further erode the fabric of confidence of Nigerians in our democratic process, which will spell doom for our economy too,’ he said.

He urged the leadership of the commission and police to meet and resolve their differences, and give peace and n
ational security a chance.

Okiro appealed to both parties to put the matter behind and rekindle the much needed cordial relationship for the successful candidates to start training on time.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The United Kingdom based leadership development organisation TEXEM UK has urged Nigerian executives to be resilient in their leadership responsibilities to achieve best goals in volatile economic environments.

In a statement on its website, TEXEM’s Director, Special Projects, Caroline Lucas expressed the need for the leaders to revitalise their organisations so as to inspire sustainable growth in a recovering economy like Nigeria.

Lucas said in an era of unprecedented volatility, senior executives grapple with a myriad of challenges that necessitate innovative strategies and resilient leadership.

She said that the TEXEM programme in Lagos, scheduled for July 17 and July 18, presents a transformative opportunity to invigorate Nigerian organisations and foster sustainable growth in the country’s economy.

The programme is titled ‘Revitalise Your Organisation: Inspire Sustainable Growth In A Recovering Economy’.

‘In today’s interconnected and unpredictable world, resilience extends far beyond mere operationa
l continuity during crises.

‘True resilience embodies a company’s capacity to absorb stress, recover critical functionality, and thrive in new circumstances.

‘This holistic view of resilience, as a strategic advantage, enables companies to capitalize on opportunities when competitors are least prepared,’ the director said.

Lucas said the TEXEM programme underscores the importance of embedding resilience into all organisational functions, from finance, IT to customer service.

‘Through case studies and role-playing exercises, executives will acquire practical tools to operationalise resilience and drive long-term performance.

‘While resilience is essential, regeneration propels business strategy further.

‘Regeneration entails making bold, proactive moves that reconnect companies with their strategic foundations,’ Lucas said.

She added that this approach transcends mere survival, fostering long-term value and enduring competitive advantage.

‘Executives will explore how to develop business models that gen
erate greater long-term value, support a culture of continuous learning and development, and leverage technology to unlock new opportunities.

‘This programme will equip leaders with the skills to drive sustainable growth and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

‘The future of work, characterised by rapid technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and evolving consumer demands, requires adaptable leadership,’ she said.

Lucas urged leaders to leverage emerging technologies and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes with a ‘learn-it-all’ mindset.

‘The TEXEM programme will delve into the Learning Executives Framework, helping participants develop a vision, deliver values, and master the art of persuasion.

‘By fostering an environment that encourages innovation and flexibility, executives will be better prepared to win in turbulent times.

‘The programme’s methodology, including group discussions, self-reflection, and peer-to-peer learning, will enhance participants’ ability to lead through uncertai
nty and drive their organisations toward future success,’ she said.

Lucas asserted that by participating in this programme, executives will enhance their strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

‘The immersive learning experience, guided by Prof. Paul Griffith and other distinguished faculty, will challenge assumptions and stimulate innovative thinking.

‘Interactive activities such as case studies, assessments, and role-playing will deepen understanding and enable the application of new concepts in real-world scenarios.

‘The ultimate goal of the TEXEM programme is to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills to inspire sustainable growth and long-term prosperity,’ she said.

Lucas added that by fostering adaptability, amplifying purpose, and balancing short-term efficiency with long-term resilience, participants would drive their organisations toward enduring success.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it adopted e-registration to accurately determine the true number of its members nationwide.

Mr Suleiman Argungu, the National Organising Secretary of the party, stated this in Abuja.

This was during a courtesy visit by Mrs Ronke Soyombo, the National Director of the APC Professional Women Council.

‘Between 2022 and 2023, it was claimed that our party had a certain number of registered members and supporters, which we believe is not accurate compared to the election results,’ Argungu said.

He noted the outcome of the presidential election as a key example, emphasising that the party has now embraced e-registration to verify its membership numbers.

‘We want to be certain of what we have on the ground; we want to know the number of members in each ward, local government, and each of the 36 states of the Federation.’

Argungu noted that organisations like the APC Professional Women Council would always receive encouragement from the party to enhance their efforts.

H
e said the visit would help the National Working Committee understand the challenges the party faces at all levels.

He urged the women to mobilise for the upcoming e-registration of members.

‘You mentioned that men outnumber women during primary elections, so for the primaries, you must mobilise to achieve a significant presence to ensure victory.

‘I encourage you to mobilise a notable number of women that we can be proud of; our move to e-registration is driven by our past experiences,’ he said.

Soyombo called for greater involvement of women in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

‘What we seek is for the party to include women in key committees for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

‘We have capable members who can serve on critical committees,’ she said, adding that the group also supports women at the grassroots.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the military will continue to operate without reservations in ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

Lagbaja said this at a roundtable in Abuja organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), in collaboration with Development Specs Academy.

The event is themed, ‘Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, the Army and National Development’.

‘The Nigerian Army in collaboration with its sister services and other security agencies will continue to operate without any reservation in ensuring the safety and security of the country for the development of all Nigerians.

‘I am optimistic that this interaction will deliver practical solutions that can be easily implemented.

‘I assure you of the army headquarters’ engagement to a timely resolution of all insecurity issues in a manner that is favourable to the country and its citizens,’ Lagbaja said.

He, however, appealed to Nigerians to support the army with the needed information on susp
icious persons in their communities.

‘I appeal to all Nigerians to continue supporting the Nigerian army and other security agencies in their quest to bring rapid peace, which is necessary for sustainable development.

‘Nigerians should continue to support the army; it is the people’s army. We are working to bring about the peace and security that Nigerians yearn so much for.

‘I appeal to Nigerians to support the army with information and any other form of support that will grant flexibility to the troops, to be effective in combating the enemies of the state.

‘Security is a whole of society’s responsibility and all stakeholders must understand each other and build trust and relationships among themselves,’ he said.

He added that the army would continue to work in line with the constitutional provisions to combat all enemies of the state and bring about peace and stability in the country.

Also speaking, Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the military owed Nigerians the respons
ibility to combat insurgency.

‘We owe ourselves the responsibility to tackle our security challenges. We must find a way of ensuring that these issues are tackled. This forum is not about fault finding but finding solutions that will improve performance by the Nigerian Army,’ Wahab said.

Similarly, Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, decried the situation where soldiers and the military no longer get intelligence from communities in the fight against insecurity.

‘Soldiers and the military have been doing a lot. But that which they are doing is misunderstood. Most communities no longer give them intelligence. So, you find the people whose job depends on the information they get from communities not helping them.

‘These men are here to secure us, so we need to give them the needed information. This is our country. We need to fix it,’ he said.

In his presentation, the President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, said that the media ought to carry
out reporting and discussions on issues of insecurity with responsibility.

‘When we don’t take responsibility for whatever we are doing as we report our nation, we leave our nation vulnerable to the risk of assessment and perception by other nations and when that happens, our reputation will be in deficit,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable had as strategic partnership with the Voice of Nigeria (VON), NAN and NIPR.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said on Tuesday that it has put everything on ground to surpass the achievements of the country at previous Olympics.

President of NOC, Habu Gumel, said this while receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure especially at Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.

Gumel said that 80 athletes had so far qualified for the Olympics while additional five athletes were expected to join the team if they eventually qualify.

‘We are calling this meeting to update Nigerians on our preparation for the Olympics scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 11 in Paris and to receive the reports of two committees set up for the progress of NOC.

‘On the constitution review, NOC executive committee, the board, general assembly and the International Olympic Committee will look at the report before we say this is our final constitution.

‘Those outside the country are already training and sports federations like boxing, we
ightlifting, wrestling and canoeing have started local trainings too.

‘Some are in Germany, while some are in America; so, arrangement is on for us to achieve podium success; the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC are collaborating seriously to achieve success in Paris.

‘The last time we won two gold medals was in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, by Chioma Ajunwa, in long jump and the U-23 Dream Team, so, we are working so hard to break the jinx in Paris,’ Gumel said.

According to him, winning silver or bronze has never been a challenge to the country’s athletes, but getting gold.

This, he said, was the reason behind the robust preparation designed for Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics.

The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, on his part, pleaded with the Federal Government to release enough funds on time to enable the country to achieve the desired result at the Olympics.

‘Our preparation is fair enough going by the understanding between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports. NOC is in charge of the O
lympics and the Ministry is their partner, unlike in the past when there used to be a discretional kind of arrangement.

‘But this time around, we have a strong synergy between NOC and the Ministry, and that has made a lot of things work better.

‘For the athletes, they have done so well in the various international meets, breaking and creating records; the only thing we need to do now is to sustain it through positive media reports,’ Popoola said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani Garun-Gabbas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NOC constitution review committee, had earlier said the committee gathered a lot of experience while discharging their duty in the last four months.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The Debt Management Office says the rise in Nigeria’s public debt stock from N97.34 trillion in December 2023 to N121.67 trillion in March 2024, is partly due to exchange rate fluctuations.

The Director-General of DMO, Patience Oniha, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

She was clarifying misconceptions about the recently released update of the country’s total debt profile.

She said that the securitisation of N4.90 trillion as part of the securitisation of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means Advances approved by the National Assembly was also responsible for the N24.33 trillion increase in the debt stock.

According to her, there is also the interest rate, as well as new borrowing of N2.81 trillion as part of the N6.06 trillion provided in the 2024 budget.

She, however, emphasised that the debt stock included the domestic and external debt stock of the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‘The total public debt as at March 31, showed tha
t the total public debt in Naira terms stood at N121.67 trillion compared to N97.34 trillion as at December 31, 2023.

‘While detailed information was provided on the data such as the split between external and domestic debt as well as the fact that the debt stock includes the domestic and external debt stock of the 36 states and the FCT, it has become imperative to provide some explanations.

‘It is important to recognise the fact that Nigeria has undergone some major reforms which have impacted economic indices such as the dollar/Naira exchange rate and interest rates.

‘These two, in particular affect the debt stock and debt service,’ she said.

Oniha said that the increase in Naira Terms of N24.33 trillion between the fourth quarter of 2023, and first quarter of 2024, did not strictly represent new borrowing.

She said that the total external debt stock was relatively flat at 42.50 billion dollars and 42.12 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2023, and first quarter of 2024 respectively.

‘The Naira
values were significantly different at N38.22 trillion and N56.02 trillion respectively, representing a difference of N17.8 trillion.

‘This explains the perceived sharp increase of N24.33 trillion in the total debt stock in the first quarter of 2024.

‘The difference in the exchange rate for the two periods also explains why in dollar terms, the total debt stock actually declined in the first quarter of 2024 to 91.46 billion dollars,’ Oniha said.

She said that the debt report was an improvement from the past, before President Bola Tinubu government.

According to her, if you discount FX impact, the debt is moderate and within normal limit.

She urged the Federal Government to prioritise fiscal retrenchment, while assuring that the various measures to attract foreign exchange inflows would increase external reserves and support the Naira exchange rate.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The President of Safe Water Global Initiative, Mr Francis Uzoma, has called for the reintroduction of hand washing practices in public places to curtail the spread of cholera in Nigeria.

Uzoma made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He emphasised on the need for the practice following the continued reports of widespread of cholera outbreaks in many parts of the country.

Uzoma advocated for a comprehensive multi-level government collaboration, policy implementation and behavioural change to tackle the issue.

‘I think there is a need for hands-on collaboration between the federal, state, and local governments in handling this issue of cholera in our country.

‘In most of our schools and public places, we need to engage in hand-washing campaigns because currently, few schools have hand-washing facilities.

‘In spite of the media announcements about the outbreaks, it is unfortunate that Lagos State has lost so many precious lives. We are hopeful this will not
happen again, and we expect various government agencies and responsible bodies to do more,’ he said.

Uzoma highlighted the importance of scaling up investments in water infrastructure, and ensuring proper allocation of funds for mini-water schemes at the local government levels.

‘When there is an outbreak, most people don’t have safe water; they make do with what is available. Access to water is a right according to the UN Convention on Rights to Water.

‘The government should be at the forefront to ensure that citizens have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene,’ Uzoma said.

He also highlighted the need to create a framework for better coordination among international NGOs, multilateral organisations, and government policies, as well as implementing digital tools to enhance water and sanitation projects.

Uzoma called for the streamlining of procurement processes to expedite project implementation for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He cited the National Water Resources Policy 2016, which projects
that national water demand would rise to 16.585 million cubic meters yearly by 2030.

According to him, this underscores the need for proactive measures to scale up access.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 1,598 suspected cholera cases across 107 Local Government Areas in 30 states, with Bayelsa accounting for 50 per cent of the cases.

Efforts to curb the spread of cholera include improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, deploying rapid diagnostic tests, and enhancing surveillance.

However, challenges such as urban slums, lack of potable water, and limited healthcare infrastructure have continued to hinder various progress.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has pledged more support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in its fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The President made the pledge as Special Guest of Honour, at the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise known as World Drug Day, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme: ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,’ Tinubu enjoined all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative launched by NDLEA three years ago.

The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.

‘I commend and urge everyone to redouble their efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

‘On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the centre of its focus. Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their po
tential,’ he said.

He noted that illicit drugs and substances had wreaked havoc on individuals, families, communities and countries worldwide.

‘In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon that we can deploy. Prevention not only saves lives; it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation.

‘It empowers individuals to make informed choices, promotes healthy lifestyles and creates resilient communities capable of withstanding the pressures of drug abuse.

‘Investing in prevention is not merely a moral imperative, a prudent way of safeguarding our future.

‘By allocating resources towards evidence-based prevention programmes, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse and protect our youth from falling prey to the menace,’ said Tinubu.

He stated that, ‘the assignment before us as a country requires that we prioritise evidence-based prevention strategies, allocate adequate resources and foster partnerships for greater impact.

‘This
government will support NDLEA to build on the success recorded in the past few years. We shall work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have positive statistics from the next national drug use survey that will be conducted in the country.’

He urged all Nigerians to join hands in this noble cause, saying it is an assignment for all patriotic citizens, including religious leaders, traditional leaders, educational institutions, opinion leaders, and civil society organisations.

‘NDLEA has created a formidable platform for cooperation vis-à-vis its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiative,’ he said.

Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, said the ‘Save Our Families’ social advocacy campaign launched at the ceremony by the President, was designed to prevent and tackle drug use through early detection and intervention.

He said the newly produced special drug test kits was a necessity in every home, school and workplace, and that the Drug Integ
rity Test initiative would metamorphose into an anti-drug culture for every Nigerian.

‘The test is intended for secondary school students, students seeking admission into tertiary institutions and returning students, workers in government and private offices and individuals seeking political offices as well as prospective couples before taking their marriage vows.

‘The drug test will serve as a tool for the prevention of drug use and early detection of the individual’s status of drug use for the purpose of appropriate intervention including treatment and rehabilitation.

‘Let me also add that our drug integrity test, which has been adopted by some government institutions and tertiary institutions in the country, is a preventive mechanism,’ said Marwa.

He said the Agency had produced tens of thousands of special test kits capable of detecting 15 different substances, which were available in all its commands across the country.

‘This is for use in homes, schools, workplaces and others. Apart from helping i
n early detection of drug abuse especially by our youths so that we can get them help in form of treatment, this will also create some deterrence effects,’ he said.

Speaking on the theme for this year’s World Drug Day, Marwa said drug use prevention lied at the heart of NDLEA’s strategy in addressing the drug problem because it was far more effective and cost-efficient to prevent drug abuse than to deal with its consequences.

‘In this regard, we have used our WADA social advocacy initiative to campaign vigorously at the grassroots and create awareness for our people to shun illicit substances.

‘WADA is a sensitisation and advocacy initiative that employs the whole of society approach to engage all stakeholders including the government sectors, institutions, and Non-Governmental Organisations.

‘This is with emphasis on youths in and out of school, community gatekeepers including traditional and community leaders, as well as religious leaders among others.

‘I am proud to state that the programme has been a
tremendous success as an effective tool of advocacy for social action and an awareness driven vehicle for public engagement and collaboration against the drug scourge,’ he explained.

He stated that between 2021 and 2024, the Agency embarked on 6,423 sensitisation and education programmes targeting young people in school and 987 programmes for Out of School youths in order to create awareness on the dangers associated with drug use.

‘This is in addition to the millions of homes reached with our anti-substance abuse messages through our aggressive and impactful media campaigns using various traditional and new media platforms,’ he said.

The outgoing United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Dr Oliver Stolpe, also made a number of recommendations.

‘After the exceptionally successful testing of the school-based drug prevention programme UNPLUGGED involving half a million secondary school children in Nigeria, the programme should be rolled out to all 28, 000 public and private s
econdary schools.

‘We need to enhance the resilience against drug use among the millions of out-of-school children, for example through sports-based initiatives such as Line Up Live Up (LULU).

‘Furthermore, we need to strengthen families in their ability to recognise and address drug use in effective and constructive ways,’ he said.

Stolpe further said: ‘Most importantly, there is an urgent need to repeat the 2018 national drug use survey. Without up-to-date data, there is no way in which we can assess whether our collective efforts have long-term impact and address the actual priorities.’

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who emphasised the importance of testing in schools expressed the ministry’s support for NDLEA drug test campaign.

According to him, the most important place where this prevention fight should start is the education sector.

‘And we will do our own part, even last week, it was something we considered and promised to review the existing policies so that we can work with NDL
EA to take it to secondary schools and primary schools.

‘To establish at all levels compulsory and sustained testing, it has to be compulsory and sustained, right through the years and period of their education,’ he said.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Rep. Abass Adigun, called for more budgetary provisions for NDLEA in the face of its multi-faceted mandate.

‘We at the national assembly are ready to work with the NDLEA and we need the federal government to look into this,’ said Adigun.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria