Nigeria is winning drug war – NDLEA

Posted by admin Headlines, NDLEA (Anti-Drug Agency) Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, on Wednesday, inaugurated a week-long programme of events marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the country.

Giade, on the occasion, declared that Nigeria was winning the drug war, particularly with the United States delisting Nigeria from the drug majors’ list.

While listing some of the benefits of the delisting and promising to improve on existing performance, the NDLEA boss said: “The United States government, for the first time last year, removed Nigeria from the drug Majors List. This historic achievement is an endorsement of our drug control efforts. The advantages of delisting Nigeria include improved working relations with the United States. We also stand to benefit immensely from US sales under the Arms Export Control Act, non-food assistance under the US public Law 480, as well as other support under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA).”

Also speaking at the briefing, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) country representative in Nigeria, Dr Oliver Stolpe, in his goodwill message commended the NDLEA for addressing the drug problem in Nigeria with vigour and passion.

Stolpe highlighted the link between illicit drug activities and insecurity and urged stakeholders to support the campaign towards a healthy and drug free society.

The theme of the celebration for the year, according to the NDLEA boss, was “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs.”

The decision to observe a day annually was reached on December 7, 1987 through resolution 42/11 of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the NDLEA boss, the day would be marked in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

-Tribunewp_posts