Northern Youths Merger Group, affiliated to the All Progressives Congress (APC), has commended Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdussalam Zaura, a businessman and politician, for his commitment to the fight against drug abuse among youths in Kano and across Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its leader, Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa, the group said Zaura’s efforts are significantly reducing the menace of illicit drug use and rehabilitating young people to become more productive members of society.
Zaitawa revealed that the group plans to honour Zaura with a special award for his dedication to rescuing youths from drug abuse and providing them with empowerment opportunities.
He noted that the Northern Youths Merger Group has been engaged in anti-drug campaigns for over 25 years, beginning as the National Youths and Poor Association before evolving into its current structure under the APC in 2005.
The group pledged to collaborate with Zaura in tackling the menace of drug abuse, while calling on the Kano State Government and other Northern governors to partner with him to curb the growing crisis, which they linked to rising youth involvement in thuggery and phone snatching.
They further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to confer a national award on Zaura for his efforts.
Zaura, who contested the Kano Central senatorial election in 2023 on the APC platform, founded the A. A. Zaura Foundation. This philanthropic initiative supports humanitarian and development projects in Northern Nigeria.