United Nations (UN) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of support to succeed in its onerous task of curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The UN gave the assurance when the deputy secretary-general, Mrs Amina Mohammed, paid a courtesy visit to the chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd) at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Mrs Mohammed was accompanied by the United Nations resident coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Malick Fall.
She told the anti-narcotics agency that the global body is willing to enhance the impact of the significant efforts of the agency.
Mohammed said, “On behalf of the UN resident coordinator in Nigeria, we want to reconfirm our support from the United Nations to the work of this agency. It is extremely important; this is coming at a time where the challenges are more complex. The chairman has spoken about the needs, and we are very pleased to hear that everyone is doing a very good job and we hope that we can increase the impact.
“From our conversation with the chairman, the issue is clear, it involves many other sectors. We talked about the root causes, and the escape is often drugs. That is why it is important for us to work with the rest of the government to ensure that all people have a right to their dignity. I see this agency as a symbol that wants to do the job, to succeed. This is a challenge we will be here to support.”
She also commended Marwa for providing NDLEA exemplary leadership, noting that, “I just have to commend the leadership you have here, the leadership we have known for a very long time. When we were much younger, we used to look up to the soldier Marwa, who led from the front with example and discipline. We see the discipline now in your officers as we walk into the office and there is a difference. We need more of that.”
While appreciating the UN deputy scribe for the visit, Marwa said, “We are indeed pleased to have you visit us.
This will go on record as the first visit in history to NDLEA by the highest echelon of the United Nations. We not only commend you for this but also in equal measure your string of impressive achievements, whether when you served as minister at home or at the global stage where you’re currently serving as deputy secretary general of the United Nations. Thank you for being a shining light and a good ambassador of not only Nigeria, but the African continent and indeed the black race world over.”
Marwa noted that the twin problems of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remains one of the ferocious threats to public health and national security despite the significant efforts being made by NDLEA in the areas of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in Nigeria.
