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Around January 2019, a research minded Nigerian made the following remarks concerning legislators. His words: “Unfortunately, many forward-thinking Nigerians who remain cynical about politics and politicians only think of Nigerian legislators as people who are often absent from the National Assembly proceedings, jumping fences, fighting and throwing chairs, sharing money and making wild promises to get votes, or getting involved in one scandalous behaviour or the other. Many Nigerians have never really thought seriously about the competencies required to be an effective legislator and using these competencies as the basis for selecting legislators and evaluating their performance.”
As I reflect on the import of the above statement by this observant Nigerian whose reflection i encountered whilst researching, I then came across the news story that at the Nigerian National Assembly, the Senators moved a motion calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the consequences of many Nigerians abusing all kinds of hard drugs.
I then concluded that in as much as this is a nice thinking, but I asked, what stopped the National Assembly in the last two decades from amending relevant provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency enabling Act, to confer operational and funding independence to the NDLEA?
Assuming as it were that, it is only in the last two years that Nigerians have generally agreed that Nigeria now has an effective, efficient, result oriented and charismatic leader in the NDLEA with the coming of Brigadier General Mohammed Buba-Marwa, the question to pose to the National Assembly is, why not do what is within your legislative powers to give effect to the most fundamental desire of Nigerians to see that the NDLEA is not in anyway encumbered by poor funding or incapacitated by interferences from any powerful political quarters, instead of grandstanding and playing semantic game? Be that as it may, this writer still applaud the legislators for thinking through this sound advocacy to support the relentless battles against hard drugs already being waged by the forward thinking hierarchyof the NDLEA led by Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa.
I must quickly admit, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown every empirical evidence of his administration’s commitment to provide constructive enabling environment for the NDLEA to massively continue to confront and combat the spread of trafficking in hard drugs by barons and the concomitant widespread abuses of hard drugs by millions of Nigerians. President Tinubu’s government in less than three months of assuming office, has made powerful presentations in local and international fora to demonstrate its support of the intensive war on drugs by the NDLEA. The courageous fight against billionaires who are drug Lords by NDLEA, is a big plus for the new government of President Bola Tinubu.
As stated earlier, the Nigerian Senate has issued a plea to the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis of drugs and narcotics abuse within Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Red Chamber has instructed its National Agency for Administration Control, Drugs and Narcotics committee to collaborate with pertinent federal agencies in convening a National Summit addressing the issue of drugs and narcotics abuse in the nation.
These decisions were reached during the Senate’s deliberation on a motion titled: “Immediate Intervention Required to Combat Drug Abuse in Nigeria” during its plenary session. The motion was introduced by Senator Babangida Uba Hussaini of the APC representing Jigawa Northwest.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised the critical nature of the drug abuse crisis in the country. He expressed alarm at the extent to which some young individuals have resorted to drilling holes in soakaway pits to inhale vapours for a high. He urged parents to regularly inspect their soakaways to ensure they are intact.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau underscored the significance of youth to a country’s future, noting that when the youth are adversely affected, it jeopardises the nation’s prospects.
He highlighted that drug abuse permeates various segments of society, including celebrities and politicians. While commending the efforts of the NDLEA, Barau called for heightened vigilance from all parties responsible for addressing this issue.
He said, “The future of every country lies in its youth and when you have something that is destroying your youth, it shows that your future is in jeopardy.
The youthful Kano born deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau underscored the significance of youth to a country’s future, noting that when the youth are adversely affected, it jeopardises the nation’s future.
Senator Hussaini cited a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union, revealing that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are engaged in drug abuse. He provided a breakdown of drug usage across various geopolitical zones, painting a stark picture of the extent of the problem.
He said, “Nigeria is currently facing a rise in drug abuse which has reached an unprecedented level transforming from a mere transit route in the 1990s, into a country filled with drug abusers and drug traffickers all over its land space, while a population of 30 to 35 million spends approximately $15,000 and $30,000annually on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages, respectively.
The lawmaker added, “Also note that according to a report by the United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union on drug use in Nigeria, about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64, are drug abusers;
“The report stated that 10.6 million addicts were cannabis users, 4.6 addicts used pharmaceutical opioids and 238,000 drug abusers used amphetamines;
“The report further revealed that the prevalence of drug use per geopolitical zone as far back as 2017 shows that the North-West zone accounted for 12% (3,000,000), North-East zone 13.6% (2,090,000), North-Central zone 10.0% (1,500,000), South-West zone 22.4% (4,382,000), South-South zone 16.6% (2,124,000), and the South-East zone 13.8% (1,550,000).”
He lamented that the main drugs abused in Nigeria are mood-altering or psychoactive drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, dependency drugs, as well as prescription drugs, “whose side effects include addiction, trauma, mental illness and often times resulting in ill health, violence and involvement in criminal activities.”
He said the Senate is disturbed that a significant number of deaths from accidents and violent crimes have been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of drugs “especially the discovery of more dangerous substances called ‘Kurkura’ in the North and ‘mkpurummiri’ in the South.”
“This scourge is everywhere, even celebrities who are supposed to be role models, be exemplary and show the way for others to follow are also into it. Politicians alike and indeed, all spheres of our life.”
He added, “The NDLEA is doing very well but the motion is a wake-up call for all those that have the responsibility for making sure that we deal with this matter to wake up and make sure that they do the needful in getting this matter dealt with properly.
“We must include this phenomenon in our school curriculum to begin to teach our children from the primary school level, the negative effects of drug abuse. Elsewhere, like in the United States, there are courses even in the universities that deal with abuse. We need to put that on the front burner in our higher institutions so that people will be aware of the harmful effects of drug abuse.
“It is a sad commentary on the way things are done in this country. Human capital is what drives a good economy and we have an abundance of population but we are allowing it to get destroyed through the intake of illicit drugs.”
“We must all join hands and work together to make sure we deal with the menace of drug abuse,” Barau stated.
Senator Hussaini, in his lead argument, highlighted the unprecedented surge in drug abuse in the Country.
Hussaini cited a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union, revealing that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are engaged in drug abuse. He provided a breakdown of drug usage across various geopolitical zones, painting a stark picture of the extent of the problem.
He said, “Nigeria is currently facing a rise in drug abuse which has reached an unprecedented level transforming from a mere transit route in the 1990s, into a country filled with drug abusers and drug traffickers all over its land space, while a population of 30 to 35 million spends approximately $15,000 and $30,000annually on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages, respectively.
The lawmaker added, “Also note that according to a report by the United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union on drug use in Nigeria, about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64, are drug abusers;
“The report stated that 10.6 million addicts were cannabis users, 4.6 addicts used pharmaceutical opioids and 238,000 drug abusers used amphetamines;
“The report further revealed that the prevalence of drug use per geopolitical zone as far back as 2017 shows that the North-West zone accounted for 12% (3,000,000), North-East zone 13.6% (2,090,000), North-Central zone 10.0% (1,500,000), South-West zone 22.4% (4,382,000), South-South zone 16.6% (2,124,000), and the South-East zone 13.8% (1,550,000).”
The truth is that, in recent years, Nigeria has been grappling with a severe crisis—a crisis that is silently but aggressively eroding the fabric of our society. This crisis is the alarming rise in drug abuse and narcotics consumption, particularly among youth.
To combat this issue, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), under the leadership of retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach in its efforts to curb drug abuse.
This piece explores the magnitude of the drug abuse problem in Nigeria, commends the NDLEA for its innovative strategies, and emphasizes the importance of a collective response to this critical issue.
The Alarming Rise of Drug Abuse
The scourge of drug abuse in Nigeria is a multifaceted problem that requires immediate attention. It is a problem that not only poses a threat to individual health and well-being but also jeopardizes the stability and development of the entire nation. The statistics are deeply concerning, with numerous reports highlighting the increasing prevalence of drug abuse, particularly among youths.
The Senate’s recent call for a state of emergency on drug abuse is a reflection of the gravity of the situation. The rising number of deaths attributed to excessive intake of hard drugs and narcotics is indeed disturbing. Deadly substances like ‘Kurkura’ and ‘Umkpromiri’ have become all too common in various regions of the country, affecting the lives of countless individuals.
*The NDLEA’s Forward-Thinking Approach*
In the face of this crisis, the NDLEA, led by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, has emerged as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. The agency’s innovative strategies and commitment to tackling drug abuse have set a remarkable precedent for other stakeholders to follow.
One of the most notable initiatives by the NDLEA is the establishment of a call center with a phone number (080010203040). This platform serves as a vital tool for the public to report drug-related activities in their communities, ensuring anonymity for those who fear retribution. This innovation is a testament to the NDLEA’s forward-thinking approach as it leverages technology and community involvement to combat drug abuse effectively.
Furthermore, the agency’s decision to strengthen interdiction efforts at major entry points, like the Abaji-Lokoja road, the Gwagwalada-Kwali road, and others, is a strategic move to disrupt the drug trafficking routes into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The cosmopolitan nature of the FCT and its position as a major gateway connecting different parts of the country make this approach not only practical but also essential.
The NDLEA’s commitment to advocacy and outreach efforts should also be applauded. The agency has engaged with traditional rulers and other community stakeholders to rally support for the fight against drug abuse. This proactive outreach has not only raised awareness but has also fostered community-driven action to combat the problem at its roots.
*The Role of Education*
In his motion during Senate plenary on Tuesday, Senator Babangida Hussaini, from Jigawa State had suggested that drug education should be made a compulsory subject in Nigeria’s basic education curriculum. This proposal is both timely and forward-thinking. The consequences of drug abuse extend beyond individual suffering; they affect the overall development of the nation. Incorporating drug education into the curriculum can provide young minds with the knowledge and awareness needed to make informed choices and resist peer pressure.
Countries like the United States have long recognized the importance of educating their youth about the harmful effects of drug abuse. Such educational programs begin at the primary school level and continue through higher education institutions. Nigeria, too, should prioritize the inclusion of drug education in school curricula to ensure that future generations are equipped with the necessary tools to combat this menace.
*The Role of Parents and Society*
While the NDLEA’s efforts are commendable, the fight against drug abuse is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. Parents and society as a whole play a pivotal role in curbing this menace.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio rightly pointed out that some individuals drill holes in soakaway pits and sniff the vapors to get high. This practice is a stark example of how the allure of drugs can lead individuals down a destructive path. Akpabio urged parents to check their soakaways to ensure there are no holes. This simple action can help protect young people from succumbing to the temptation of abusing these substances.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also emphasized the need for all sectors of society, including celebrities and politicians, to set an example for the youth. Their actions and influence can either deter or encourage drug abuse. As role models, they must be held accountable for their behavior and choices.
*Conclusion*
The rise of drug abuse in Nigeria is an urgent and multifaceted crisis that requires a coordinated response from all segments of society. The NDLEA, under the leadership of Buba Marwa, is setting a forward-thinking example with its innovative strategies, including the establishment of a call center, strengthening interdiction efforts, and advocating for community involvement.
Incorporating drug education into Nigeria’s school curriculum is a step in the right direction, as it equips young people with the knowledge needed to resist the temptation of drug abuse. However, the responsibility also lies with parents and society to protect and guide the youth, and with celebrities and politicians to set a positive example.
To combat the drug abuse crisis effectively, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work in unison, as this issue has far-reaching consequences for individual lives and the development of the nation. Nigeria can overcome this crisis, but only through collective efforts, forward-thinking strategies, and a commitment to building a drug-free society. The NDLEA, led by Buba Marwa, has shown the way forward; it is now up to the rest of us to follow and support these efforts.
EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO is head of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA.
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