The primary girl, Oluremi Tinubu, has charged state governments to prioritise the battle towards substance abuse of their strategic work plans for a secure and safe society.
Mrs Tinubu made the decision on the opening ceremony of a two-day coaching on Drug Prevention Remedy and Care (DPTC), for spouses of state governors, on Monday in Abuja.
The coaching was organised by the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA).
Mrs Tinubu, who was the particular visitor of honour, tasked the states to see the conflict towards the drug menace as a collective effort and accountability.
The primary girl, represented by the spouse of the Inspector Basic of Police, Elizabeth Egbetokun, recommended the NDLEA boss, Buba Marwa and the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Discussion board for the initiative.
“I wish to commend the NDLEA underneath the management of retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa for organising this very important coaching and in your ongoing efforts in combatting drug abuse in Nigeria,” she added.
In accordance with her, Nigerians should recognise that drug abuse is not only a regulation enforcement concern however a public well being disaster that requires a compassionate and multi-faceted response.
“We should problem the stigma and discrimination related to dependancy and foster a tradition of empathy, understanding and solidarity in the direction of these fighting substance use issues.
“As moms, we perceive the profound impression that drug abuse can have on our kids’s lives.
“Due to this fact, it’s incumbent upon us to guard, nurture, and information them in the direction of a future free from the shackles of dependancy. As leaders in your respective states, you wield a singular platform to drive significant change.
“The position of governors’ spouses in combating drug abuse can’t be overstated. By advocacy, we are able to guarantee entry to prevention, remedy, and rehabilitation providers for these affected by dependancy,” she stated.
Mrs Tinubu, due to this fact, urged the governor’s wives to make sure that the efforts didn’t finish with the coaching.
“We should translate data into motion, collaborating with stakeholders akin to NDLEA, different authorities companies, civil society organisations, healthcare suppliers, educators, and college students.
“Collectively, we are able to implement evidence-based methods for prevention, early intervention, and holistic remedy approaches,” she stated.
The legal professional basic of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in his remarks, recommended the resourcefulness of the NDLEA management in utilising the discussion board to cascade the drug conflict to the grassroots.
“The problem of drug use shouldn’t be confined to any area or social strata, however impacts each nook of our nation, and propagates crime and different criminalities internationally.
“The important position of the attendees in shaping insurance policies and practices within the communities is due to this fact recognised,” he stated.
Earlier, Mr Marwa stated the devastating results of substance abuse on public well being and the setting and its nexus with insecurity made it obligatory for a whole-of-society strategy to curb the scourge.
He stated that this had been the main target of the Struggle In opposition to Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy marketing campaign anchored by the NDLEA since 2021.
The NDLEA chairman, due to this fact, urged the governors’ wives to reap the benefits of their positions to mobilise assist for drug prevention and remedy of their states.
“Our commanders and officers in your states are at all times obtainable to work with you and the governors; please create the wanted entry for them in order that they’ll serve you and society higher.
“Collectively, we are able to impact significant change and create more healthy, safer communities for all. Your collective effort can turn out to be the largest catalyst for the nation to overcome the illicit drug problem,” he stated.
Mr Marwa stated that as a part of efforts to curb the cultivation and manufacturing of illicit medicine in Nigeria, the company has been adopting various plans to encourage these cultivating hashish to change to different licit crops.
”I’ll additionally like to attract your consideration to the devastating impression actions of drug cartels concerned in illicit drug cultivation are inflicting humanity; that’s deforestation, which ends up in environmental degradation.
“Seeking a long-lasting resolution, we’re working to implement another growth plan. This can present hashish farmers with higher choices, like switching to different crops.
“I’ve just lately arrange an Various Improvement Unit in my workplace. We want you to make this a actuality—our various growth plan—one in every of your takeaways for the speedy consideration and assist of our governors,” the NDLEA boss added.
He stated that by becoming a member of forces and dealing collaboratively, “we are able to flip the tide towards drug abuse and construct a brighter, more healthy future for generations to come back. Collectively, we are able to do it.”
The UNODC nation consultant, Dr Oliver Stolpe; consultant of European Union, Letizia Torretta and the director-general, Nationwide Company for the Management of AIDS, Dr Gambo Aliyu, additionally spoke on the occasion.
They known as for collective efforts throughout society to curb the menace of drug abuse.
(NAN)
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