President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, expressed the commitment of his administration to the country’s f#ghtagainst substance ab¥s£ and illicit dr¥g traffi#king as part of efforts to curtail the global dr¥g problem.
He assured that he would continue to provide the necessary support and tools for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fulfil its mandate. The President, while declaring open the 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja, stated, “This administration will continue to provide the necessary support, motivation, and tools for the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate.
We understand the connection between the success of the f#ght against substance ab¥se and illicit dr#gtraffi#king and the attainment of a number of goals on our socio-economic and security agenda.” Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said, “For us, the commitment to the f#ght against dr¥g traffi#king and substance ab¥se is not just a matter of policy; it is a moral imperative.
We recognise that a population at w@r with dr¥gs is not a dividend but a liability.
We believe that the future of our youth, the strength of our institutions, and the well-being of our communities depend on our ability to eradicate this thr£@t.
So, I must appeal to you to see this gathering as an avenue for the exchange of novel ideas and the development of practical strategies. We must consolidate established contacts, operational partnerships, and cooperation to ensure that the outcomes of this four-day deliberation advance public safety and the emergence of dr¥-free African communities.
Our strength has always been our proactive actions to prevent any individual or group from turning our countries into a minefield of dr¥g traffi#king.
So, we must prioritise prevention, education, and rehabilitation to empower our youth with knowledge and opportunities. We must steer them away from the treacherous path of dr¥g abs£ and traffi#king and protect our economy from the consequences of their actions,” he said.
