The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has begun a week-long activity to Mark this year’s World Drug day as its way to sensitise, draw attention to the harmful impact of dealing in illicit drugs and also the agency’s commitment to rid the country of illicit drugs and bring traffickers to book.
As a way to kick off the week-long activities to celebrate the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, in conjunction with other stakeholders like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, the anti-narcotics body held a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday 19th of June 2024.
Giving a breakdown of the activities, Muhammed Buba Marwa the Chairman of NDLEA who was represented by the Secretary of the Agency, Mr Shadrach Haruna explained that the event will start on Friday, June 21, “we will observe a Juma’at Service at the National Mosque in Abuja to commemorate World Drug Day. On Saturday, June 22, our usual Walk Against Drugs in collaboration with MTN and other stakeholders will be staged from the Old Parade Ground as the take-off point by 7 am to the Garki Market. On Sunday, June 23, we will have a thanksgiving church service at the National Christian Centre, that is, the Ecumenical Centre, by 10 am”.
Je went on to explain other activities lined up for the rest of the days “On Monday, June 24, we will be having the grand finale of our secondary school essay competition”.
The NDLEA essay competition is a nationwide contest conducted among secondary schools, with the entries whittled down to the final six.
“That same day, Monday, June 24, is earmarked as NGO Day when our partners will have their activities. The following day, Tuesday 25, we will be in markets and parks in the Federal Capital Territory area councils for a programme for out-of-school youths. Finally, on Wednesday, June 26, the World Drug Day commemoration event will be held at the State House Conference Centre, beginning at 9 am, where all stakeholders will gather to formally unveil the new global policy direction for tackling illicit drug problems.”
He expressed gratitude to the federal and state governments for the support given to the Agency in various ways in the onslaught against drug traffickers.
“The UNODC has been a strong support for us as well as our foreign partners, including the US-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the British Border Force, National Crime Agency (NCA) of United Kingdom, as well as our stakeholders like Nigerian Armed Forces, the Customs, Police, Immigration, NAFDAC, NFIU, NACA, FRSC and Civil Defence, among others. And importantly, our media friends. That you are here today is a testament to the support you have given to us these past three years. I cannot help but thank you and the media you represent”, he added.