Agboworin Delivers House of Reps Speaker's Address on World Drug Day at Presidential Villa

On Wednesday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, Ph.D., called on all relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the fight against drug abuse and illegal trafficking.

This appeal was made during the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The theme of the event was "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention."

The Speaker's speech, delivered by Rep. Abass Adigun (Agboworin), who represents the Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency and chairs the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, highlighted the devastating impact of drug abuse, particularly on Nigeria’s youth.

Agboworin, while presenting the Speaker’s remarks, stressed the importance of increased investment in preventive programs to address the root causes of drug use and trafficking. He urged stakeholders to prevent traffickers from introducing harmful substances into society.

“A multi-sectoral approach is needed, involving government agencies, civil society, families, and communities,” he said. “This is why we advocate for more investment in awareness campaigns, education, counseling, advocacy, and therapy to build individuals' resilience against drug abuse.”

He praised the efforts of the NDLEA and its partner, UNODC, in the ongoing fight against the drug menace, while also calling for more funding for the NDLEA to enable it to fulfill its extensive responsibilities.

Agboworin assured the public that the House of Representatives remains committed to fighting drug abuse and trafficking, stressing that this responsibility belongs to all.

“We have enacted numerous laws and resolutions aimed at strengthening the legal framework for drug control and providing the NDLEA with the resources it needs to fulfill its mandate. The recent amendment of the NDLEA Act, which imposes strict penalties on drug manufacturers and traffickers, reflects our dedication to this cause.”

He concluded by urging collective efforts to create a drug-free society, highlighting the importance of educating children about the dangers of drug use, supporting those battling addiction, and preventing the trafficking of illicit substances.

In his address, NDLEA Chairman Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), OFR, revealed that the agency has arrested 52,901 drug traffickers, including 48 drug barons, and secured over 9,000 convictions in the past three years. Marwa emphasized that the agency's preventative efforts, such as disrupting drug distribution channels, are key to achieving a drug-free Nigeria.

Other prominent speakers at the event included Senator George Akume, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senator Sadiq Umar, representing the Senate President; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; Chairman of MTN Foundation, Julius Adeluyi; and Dr. Vincent Udenze of Intersect Consortium, who delivered the guest lecture.