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Amendment of NDLEA Act will aid war on drugs — Marwa

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Amendment of NDLEA Act will aid war on drugs — Marwa

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that the ongoing amendment of the NDLEA Act when passed into law will significantly enhance the organisational capability of the agency to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa stated this while giving his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

“We have to acknowledge, however, the existence of the funding challenge, which is limiting our capabilities in various ways. Nonetheless, we are looking forward to some positive developments that will lend impetus to the attainment of our set objectives. One such is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organisational capability of our agency in drug supply reduction.

“The hearing of the amended bill is making progress in the National Assembly and we look forward to it scaling the final hurdles”, he told the gathering of stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as other local and international partners.

While acknowledging the work of the IMC in the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan 2021-2025, he said the collaboration from stakeholders towards achieving the stated goals of the NDCMP is also deserving of appreciation.

“After taking stock of key programmes implemented across the strategic pillars in 2022 and 2023, I can say that we have recorded significant progress on the fourth National Plan (NDCMP 2021-2025) compared to previous ones. Under the supply reduction pillar, our operations and offensive action led to the arrest of 13,664 drug traffickers, of whom 3,412 have been convicted in 2023. We recorded the seizure of 1.61 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, and we carried out the destruction of 206.5 hectares of cannabis farms.

“In drug demand reduction, we recorded the counselling and rehabilitation of 10,904 individuals. The implementation of WADA advocacy across states, local government areas, wards, and communities boosted the attainment of some set targets under the drug Demand reduction pillar. Ramping up our WADA sensitisation activities has enabled us to reach different target groups, and, by the same token, has facilitated the diffusion of shared ownership of the effort to curb the proliferation, trafficking and abuse of illicit substances in the country.

“Generally, there had been momentous developments in 2022-2023 that were helpful to the attainment of our targets. Among others, these include, Nigeria’s hosting of the 30th Conference of the Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa, in September 2023; the commissioning of the NDLEA toll-free helpline, which has helped to bridge the gap between people who need treatment and the care provider; and the Drug Prevention, Treatment and Care training for the Governors’ Spouses, which has helped to strengthen response to drug problems across the states through the first ladies who are at the helm of the leadership of the State Drug Control Committee, SDCC. And, of course, the non-stop WADA campaign across the federation continually gives us leverage in society.”

In his remarks, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Oliver Stolpe said, the achievements over the past years in enhancing law enforcement, increasing accessibility to treatment and rolling out prevention, among others are all milestones that the NDLEA has created.

“The UNODC is grateful, and hopes that during the presentation by Nigeria at IMC International midterm review, Nigeria makes a great contribution to the world and inspires others in ways to take this fight against drug use and supply to the next level,” Stolpe noted.

Also, the representative of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Daniel Amankwaah stated that the commission is excited about the NDLEA drug control master plan.

Dr Amankwaah said, “I am glad to announce that of the 15 ECOWAS countries, 14 have developed their master plans. This is to say 99 percent of the countries have developed theirs and it is all thanks to the template of the NDLEA”

A communique issued by the IMC at the end of the meeting listed some of the solutions, which they want governments at all levels and other stakeholders to focus on.

This includes, “The declaration of a state of emergency in the face of the overwhelming statistics of drug trafficking and abuse and its devastating consequences on the public health, economy and security of the country, to underscore the need for greater resources to be committed to fighting drugs problem and its attendant consequences such as banditry, kidnapping, assassination, insurgency, terrorism and general insecurity.

“To strengthen drug treatment support services for persons with drug use disorder, ensuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of controlled medicines for palliative care and raising awareness on the health, socio-economic implications and other related risks of drug abuse and drug trafficking.

“To strengthen cohesion, greater collaboration and coordination, amongst stakeholders to prioritise resources for activities geared towards addressing drugs problem in line with the Strategic Pillars of the NDCMP.”

Buhari didn’t sell Nigeria’s future, APC replies Mutfwang

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Buhari didn’t sell Nigeria’s future, APC replies Mutfwang

The ruling All Progressives Congress has slammed the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for blaming former President Muhammadu Buhari for the current economic challenges and hardship Nigerians are facing.

Mutfwang, who made the statement during Tuesday’s swearing-in of his special advisers and heads of agencies at the Government House in Jos, claimed the past administration has mortgaged the future of the economy.

Reacting in an exclusive chat, National Director of Publicity for the APC, Bala Ibrahim, frowned at Mutfwang’s utterances, saying it was obvious the Plateau governor was merely playing to the gallery and displaying some level of ignorance.

While exonerating Buhari from the current economic travail, Ibrahim stated those who know Buhari even as a military leader and former petroleum minister understand that he can’t do anything to jeopardise the economy.

He said, “I will say the governor is probably displaying his ignorance of macro and micro-economies. When you talk about mortgaging the country or selling oil upfront for the future, I think he needs to go and learn how oil is marketed at the Rotterdam market. There are countries that produce oil, sell for upward of 10 years and payments made upfront. It is normal in the oil business. It didn’t start with Buhari even such a thing happened during his administration.

“For his (Mutfwang) information, Buhari is very versed and experienced when it comes to oil marketing and economy having been minister of petroleum during the military regime. He has also been one head of state that built two refineries during his time. So he is very conversant with the economics of oil and anyone who knows Buhari will tell you he won’t do anything that will shortchange the country or put the future of Nigeria in jeopardy.

“On the issue of money printed, I believe that is being investigated by the National Assembly and I don’t want us to start pre-empting the outcome. The governor is just playing to the gallery. It is not something new but a normal statement expected from the mouth of the opposition. But in playing opposition, I always like people to play constructive and not destructive criticism.”

The leadership of the Labour Party did not however share the sentiment of the ruling APC.

Speaking with our reporter, the National Legal Adviser of LP, Kehinde Edun, expressed his disappointment over the manner successive APC-led governments keep blaming their predecessor.

Edun stated that it was obvious that embarking on a blame game could not resolve the perennial economic problems plaguing the country.

The legal practitioner also argued that it was not a panacea to the hunger and anger Nigerians are nursing against the federal government.

“When are we going to stop this blame game? Buhari spent eight years blaming (Goodluck) Jonathan for the woes of the country. Is Tinubu also planning to spend the four years of his administration blaming Buhari? The important thing is to do the best you can since you decided to take up the challenge. This blame game will not help matters. They keep saying I inherited a bad economy. All the governors have also joined the trend of saying they inherited a debt profile of certain amounts. Enough of these excuses!

“If you are doing what you are supposed to do, Nigerians will know. Our people are becoming more enlightened now. This current government is still struggling with waste and extravagant spending. In spite of the difficulties and hardship Nigerians are facing, they are not doing their best,” he stated.

N’West govs shun public hearing on minimum wage

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N’West govs shun public hearing on minimum wage

Governors from the Northwest Zone were conspicuously absent on Thursday at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, the venue of the ongoing public hearing on the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

Our correspondent who covered the event reports that none of the governors attended the programme, as only the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, sent representation, while the host governor was represented by his deputy, Abdulssalam Gwarzo.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gwarzo commended President Bola Tinubu for setting up the committee to come up with a new minimum wage for the workers in the country.

He assured that the state will commit itself to the implementation of the new minimum wage when it becomes effective. He restated the commitment of the government to the welfare of state civil servants through the prompt payment of salaries.

He said pensioners in the state now have renewed hope as the state government recently paid N6bn to the pensioners as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings.

He expressed hope that the public hearing would come up with useful inputs that the government could implement for the betterment of Nigerian workers.

In his remarks, the Katsina State Governor, represented by the Commissioner of Information, Dr Bala Zango, said the state government will abide by the outcome of the meeting.

“Whatever the outcome, the Katsina State Government will abide by it as the government is committed to the welfare of its workers,” he said.

He disclosed that the state government had recently paid N5bn as death benefits to workers in addition to disbursing N700m as refurbishing loans to the state workers.

“Katsina State Government has a good working relationship with the workers as we have been paying salaries and other allowances as and when due,” Zango said.

He also applauded President Bola Tinubu for constituting the committees despite the current economic situation in the country, saying it was a clear indication that he was concerned about the welfare of workers.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Northwest Public Hearing, Dr Ahmed Rabiu, urged all participants to express their views openly, share their experiences, and provide constructive suggestions.

“Your input is valuable in shaping policies that will not only impact the livelihoods of our citizens but also contribute to the overall economic growth and social well-being of our nation,” he said.

Earlier today, the public hearing of the Tripartite Committee on the national minimum wage also began in the North Central.

Google opens new cybersecurity hub in Japan

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Google opens new cybersecurity hub in Japan

Google on Thursday launched a new cybersecurity hub in Japan, aimed at helping to upgrade defences in the Asia-Pacific.

The region faces a growing cyber threat from a range of actors, including criminal gangs looking for big payouts and state-backed actors pursuing intelligence or sabotage, according to governments and security firms.

These attackers have targeted not only governments and militaries but also critical infrastructure such as ports and businesses of all sizes.

“We are officially launching the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Japan, aiming to connect leading security specialists, researchers, and partners,” Google said in a statement.

The centre will conduct research on cybersecurity in collaboration with universities and governments in Japan and elsewhere in the region.

The tech giant will also help boost cybersecurity at 300,000 small to mid-sized businesses, non-profits and other social organisations in the region, said Google’s Kazuya Okubo.

Google had warned in October that the region “is the target of more cyberattacks than any other”.

Governments, including Japan, have echoed those concerns.

In addition to large-scale fraud and ransomware activity by criminal groups, the United States and its allies in the region including Australia have blamed China and Beijing-linked groups for cyberattacks.

In September last year, Japan’s National Police Agency joined its American counterparts, including the FBI, in warning of widespread malware attacks by China-linked cyber actors known as BlackTech.

BlackTech has “targeted government, industrial, technology, media, electronics, and telecommunication sectors, including entities that support the militaries of the US and Japan,” the NPA said in a joint statement.

Washington has alleged that China represents “the broadest, most active, and persistent cyber espionage threat” to its government and private sector.

Beijing, for its part, accuses the United States of being the “world’s biggest hacking empire”, citing its well-documented forays into cyberwarfare, online surveillance and hacking.

AFP

LP hails A’Court judgment as Apapa faction heads to S’Court

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LP hails A’Court judgment as Apapa faction heads to S’Court

The leadership of the Labour Party has welcomed Wednesday’s judgment of the Appeal Court that vacated the order restraining Julius Abure and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

The judgment comes barely one year after the presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, ruled on an ex parte application that suspended Abure, Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara.

On May 12, 2023, Muazu also dismissed the preliminary objection raised by Abure challenging his removal as chairman of the LP.

The suit which was filed by Martins John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah, and Abayomi Arabambi accused Abure and others of forging several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

The defendants through their lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, contended that an allegation of forgery against his clients cannot be brought before the court by way of an originating summon.

But delivering the lead judgment on Wednesday, Justice Hamma Barka held that the high court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction over the matter.

Barka also held that the lower court was wrong to have interfered in the internal affairs of the political party.

Applauding the judgment, National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, said they have always known that the court will do justice to the issue of leadership tussle rocking the party.

He said, “We thank God that everything has come to an end. We are also using this opportunity to call on them to collaborate with us if they have an interest in this country and the dream of a new Nigeria at heart.

“Nigerians are suffering under this government. Under this government, things are getting harder. I think we are starting on the right note now to position the party to wrest power from this incumbent government.”

Reacting, the Spokesman of the Lamidi Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi, rejected Wednesday’s judgment, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Arabambi also told The According that they will be heading to the Supreme Court for redress.

“That judgment is wrong and we reject it in its entirety. In any case, we will be heading for the Supreme Court to demand justice,” he stated.

NSCDC warns officers against accidental discharge

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NSCDC warns officers against accidental discharge

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Olusola Odumosu, on Thursday warned 532 personnel of the corps against accidental discharge.

Odumosu gave the warning at the passing out parade of the 532 officers 2023 recruits after six months of training in Abuja.

Last Thursday, the Commandant General, NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, unveiled three newly acquired gun trucks by the NSCDC FCT Command and unveiled the Special Tactical Squad of the command.

Audi charged operatives to use gun trucks only on criminals.

Meanwhile, the commandant also charged the 532 personnel to be diligent in their duty and be professional in arms handling.

“Today is another epoch making occasion in the history of the NSCDC FCT Command, the passing out parade of 532 officers, 2023 recruits after six months of rigorous training.

“You have been trained in weapons handling. This is one aspect of your job that you have to tread with utmost caution.

“In NSCDC, there is nothing like accidental discharge. Once you find yourself holding a weapon, rules of engagement must continually sound in your head. Your rifle is as safe as you want it to be.

“Note also that, you are also expected to maintain a high level of discipline, professionalism and competence in the discharge of your duties. Your uniform and weapon must not be used to intimidate or harass any citizens,” the commandant warned.

The commandant said they would be deployed to Departments, Units, Area Command, Divisions and Outposts.

He also warned, “It is an offence to lobby for deployment. Wherever you find yourself, give it your best.

“Be warned that this is a regimented organization with zero tolerance for any acts of indiscipline. Here there is no unionism, no activism, and no aluta continua. Respect for and regard for seniority is mandatory irrespective of age and size.

“Let me quickly let you know that your being confirmed as staff of NSCDC does not imply that you have arrived. You must shun bribery and other forms of corrupt practices.”

Reps want security education in primary, secondary schools

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Reps want security education in primary, secondary schools

The House of Representatives has called for the introduction of security education in primary and secondary schools nationwide.

This is just as the House said the move will equip young Nigerians with the knowledge required to identify threats to their safety and environments early in life.

Leading the debate on the motion titled, ‘Need to incorporate security education as a core subject in Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curricula,’ Omirin Olusanyo (Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West/Ilesa West Federal Constituency, Osun State) argued, “Security education prepares students for contemporary challenges in security ranging from economic, political, social and environmental threats.”

The lawmaker noted that in 2018, the United Nations Children’s Fund reported over 30 schools were attacked, “resulting in at least 2,295 teacher deaths and over 1.000 child abductions.”

He continued, “The House is worried that the recurrent attacks and threats against Nigerian educational institutions, teachers, and pupils are causing a negative impact on educational quality, teacher turnover and perpetuating a culture of impunity.

“The House is aware that due to the escalating insecurity in the country, it has become imperative for children to learn defence mechanisms, master first aid principles, and emergency handling skills.”

He further noted that in an increasingly volatile society like Nigeria, “investing in security education is essential to safeguard students, knowledge, skills and awareness in security education empowers them to take preventive action.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that security education is incorporated as a core subject in the primary and secondary school curricula.

It also mandated the Committee on Basic Education and Services to ensure its implementation.

South-West pensioners decry scrapping of PTAD

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South-West pensioners decry scrapping of PTAD

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South-West, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to scrap the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate.

The Pensioners said that scrapping PTAD will return them to what they described as “better forgotten dark days in Egypt where payment of their pensions and gratuities will be at the whims and caprices of larcenous civil servants”.

The spokesman for the union, Dr Olusegun Abatan, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists after the zonal meeting of the pensioners held at the secretariat of the union in Leme, Abeokuta.

Abatan explained that the reported move to scrap PTAD, which had since given the pensioners a new lease of life, is being attributed to the recommendation of Orosanye’s report, whereas the pensioners said nothing of such is in the said Oronsaye’s report.

Highlighting the benefits of PTAD, Abatan said aside from the seamless payment of pensions and gratuities, it has also eliminated long queues of pensioners and even death during verification exercises, among other dehumanising treatments the pensioners were subjected to in the past.

The pensioners urged President Tinubu to avoid being ill-informed by some self-serving civil servants over the scrapping of PTAD, saying that if at all PTAD will be scrapped, it is a creation of law and must be repealed through the same process by the National Assembly.

Abatan said, “Section 49 states that PTAD will cease to exist after the death of the last pensioner. We still have over a hundred thousand living Pensioners. PTAD already has a supervising ministry, the Ministry of Finance, it is also being coordinated by PENCOM, so why do they want it scrapped if not for self-serving purposes by unconscionable civil servants?

“PTAD is the baby of the law birthed by the National Assembly on June 25, 2004. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should avoid being misinformed by rapacious civil servants.

“To scrap it must go back to the National Assembly, any step taken to unilaterally scrap the PTAD without the imprimatur of the National Assembly is a violation of the law of the land and to that effect null and void and of no effect.”

The union also expressed its displeasure that the federal government has refused to pay pensioners the N25,000 it promised them in the MOU signed with the labour union in October 2023 as part of moves to ease the pains of fuel subsidy removal.

As a way out of the food scarcity crisis, the pensioners suggested to the federal government to create Food Production Zones in each geopolitical zone of the country and embark on massive importations of agricultural machinery, equipment and agrochemicals while also opening up rural roads for agriculture, among others.

EFCC accuses Obiano of evading court process

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EFCC accuses Obiano of evading court process

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused a former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, of evading the service of court process.

The counsel for the commission, Sylvanus Tahir, disclosed this to the court on Thursday during proceedings.

On January 24, the EFCC arraigned the former governor on nine charges bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N4bn.

In the charges, the EFCC accused Obiano of diverting Anambra State’s security votes to the tune of N4,008,573,350 while he was governor between 2014 and 2022.

The counsel for the prosecution said efforts to serve the defendant’s reply to his motion have been futile.

He said, “In compliance with the order of the court made on Monday, we filed a counter affidavit to oppose the bid by Obiano to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of the court to prosecute him but our efforts have been to no avail.”

Tahir said his team was on Wednesday at the Chamber of Obaino’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) but that the gate to the office was locked.

He said he phoned two of the defendant’s lawyers but he was told they were at a Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

He said as a result, he was only able to serve the counter affidavit on the defendant inside the courtroom on Thursday.

He asked the court to proceed to hear the motion of the former governor challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court along with the counter affidavit.

However, Patrick Ikweto (SAN), who represented Obiano at Thursday’s proceedings told the court he was served the counter affidavit in the courtroom.

He pleaded for an adjournment to enable him to respond to the EFCC’s counter affidavit.

Justice Inyang Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter till March 13 for a hearing of Obiano’s motion.

However, in the motion on notice by the former governor’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) dated March 3, he informed the court of an appeal by the Anambra State Government challenging the EFCC’s authority to investigate the funds.

Ikpeazu said, “The subject matter of the charge bothers on accountability for security votes funds;
The honourable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security votes funds;

“There is an appeal filed by the Anambra State Government challenging the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the security vote of the Anambra State Government

“The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith.”

Ikepazu stated that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra state government

He said, “No evidence exists from any witness showing that Defendant/Applicant passed down directives on the disbursements of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra State Government,

“The defendant/applicant cannot be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State Government, as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence;

“The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicion.

“This honourable court has inherent judicial powers to grant all the reliefs sought above.”

Nigeria, others must harness power of research for growth- Minister

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Nigeria, others must harness power of research for growth- Minister

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday, said Nigeria and other African countries must harness the power of research for growth and development.

Tahir, who reiterated the common notion of education being the bedrock of development in any society, stated that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu has set in place a roadmap to stabilise the education sector in the country.

While affirming the importance of research and education in driving sustainable development, the minister who spoke at the 2024 West and Central African Research and Education Network conference currently holding in Abuja said Nigeria is taking bold steps to support all levels of the education sector in a bid to nurture critical thinking as well as to establish skills and innovation hubs across the country.

He said, “In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education under my leadership has developed a roadmap for the education sector to transform the educational system of Nigeria. We are also taking bold steps to support all levels of our educational system to nurture critical thinking and also establish skills and innovation hubs across the country.

“We must harness the power of research and education to propel the African continent forward. Whether it is in the fields of healthcare, technology, agriculture or governance. The solutions to our most pressing issues lie in the scholarly minds of our researchers and educators.”

Also speaking at the conference, the acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki encouraged participants to embrace digital transformation, foster collaboration, and cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty.

Maiyaki’s remarks highlighted the importance of preparing higher education and research communities for the challenges and opportunities ahead, calling for engagement in thought-provoking discussions, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to common challenges.

 

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