By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
Kebbi State Government has restated its commitment to the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made the pledge at the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential lodge, in Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.
The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Health, Hon Jafar Mohammed (Clean), has also commended all stakeholders, particularly the collaborative effort of Behavioral Health Foundation of Nigeria and National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for bringing the International Day Against Drug Trafficking to the limelight .
The move, he said, would further create more awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs and dire consequences to the society. He urged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse, towards achieving a healthier society, free of illicit drugs.
He said that Kebbi State Government, has, over the years, adopted a number of measures geared towards curtailing drug and substance abuse, as well as supporting NDLEA in the fight to stop illicit drug trafficking.
Governor Bagudu said notable among the measures taken, include constitution of a Taskforce on drug abuse under the chairmanship of AIG Usman Umar Ambursa (retd) to work hand in hand with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Speaking at the event, representative of Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hon Zahrau Wali, described Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu as a mother who is deeply concerned about the issue of substance abuse among youths in the Society.
She stated that Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu was also attending a drug workshop in Abuja along with other Governors wives. "The First Ladies expressed worry that over six million Nigerians mostly youths were into drug abuse", she lamented.
According to her, a lot has been achieved under the platform of Dr. Zainab Bagudu as the patron of the State Drugs Control Technical committee through her advocacy, some of which were training of 200 teachers across the state on drug abuse prevention, treatment and care in collaboration with UNODC.
"She participated in a High Level Discussion as a Panelist in the UNODC Conference in Vienna, Austria , sponsored a team of 7 Doctors, Pharmacists and Nurses to a training by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America on Opium Substance Abuse in 2019.
"Sponsoring young males and females for drug counseling and rehabilitation, advocated for setting up of Drug Control Committee headed by Retired AIG Ambursa, Female Rehabilitation Hostel in NDLEA Kebbi, ongoing construction of Youth Rehabilitation Center, Sensitization programs including a 3 day program attended by DG NAFDAC, Prof Adeyeye and provision of Vehicle to Kebbi NDLEA, among others".
In his address, the Commander of NDLEA in-charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, commended the efforts of Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and his wife, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for their immense support and contribution towards addressing the menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the State. NNL.
