Nigeria: NOA Flags off campaign Against Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence in N/West Zone 

Nigeria: NOA Flags off campaign Against Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence in N/West Zone

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The National Orientation Agency (NOA)

has flagged off campaign against drug abuse and domestic violence in northwest zone.

The event which took place in Kaduna had stakeholders across the zone to chart wayforward in curbing the menace.

The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, speaking at the official lunch of it four – month campaign against drug abuse on Monday, 24th February, described the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Nigeria as very worrisome thus, the to call for action.

” The influence of drug abuse is devastating. Drug abuse does not exist in isolation. It is fuelled by substance abuse.”

Research he said has linked criminal tendencies such as, terrorism, kidnapping, domestic violence, others

to the influence of drugs.

The essence of the campaign is to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, to engage policy makers as to strengthen the laws and enforcement by making sure that offenders face the full wraths of the law.

The fight is not that of NOA alone. It needs collaborative efforts of all to succeed, he explained.

He commended the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts and support in the elimination of drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Lanre urged traditional leaders being the eyes of the government at the grassroot level to use their platform to assist in the fight against the menace.

Such efforts like organising town hall meetings, community engagements,  education and awareness he stressed will go a long in the fight.

While calling on the media to collaborate with the organization by assisting through media campaign both in English and in some of the local languages, he pledged his organisation’s readiness to put in it best to bringing about needed change.

“The NOA is collaborating with stakeholders at federal, state, and local levels to ensure the success of the campaign”, he stated.

Chairman NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa in his keynote address pointed out that the matter of drug abuse is of national importance saying, most families and every community has the problem.

Commending the leadership of the Nigeria government, the NOA and traditional leaders, more efforts he said is needed to be geared towards recording positive result.

” Nigeria is grappling with the consequences of drug abuse.

The World Drug Report 2021 predicts a 40%  increase in drug abuse in Africa by 2030. Nigeria already has one of the world’s highest higher drug use preference rates as shown by the findings of the 2018 national drug use survey report.”

There is a strong link between drug abuse and criminal activities. He stressed.

“No one escapes from the drug issue. It is not a problem of the rich, the poor, the Muslims, or the christians”. He called for all hands to be on deck in order to win the fight because NOA cannot do it alone.

The parents have vital roles to play saying, it is not everyone they arrested  that are sent to jail. There are corrective measures being taken because some of them need help.

There are rehabilitation centres as well as ‘help line’ for those seeking for help but afraid of stigma.

Brig. Marwa urged governors to assist by having rehabilitation centres in their various states.

While appreciating President Tinubu’s concern in the fight against the menace, he is of the view that the NDLEA’s budgetary allocation be increased as well as other support system for effectiness.

“Much needs to be done to reverse the high rate prevalence of drug use, eradicate the cultivation of cannabis, and deflated the drug sub culture among youth. It is a race of time.”

Adding his voice, the Special Senior Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi stressed that president Tinubu is committed to seeing the end of the scourge.

He commended the Speaker, House of Representatives, Right Hon. Tajudeen Abbas the convener of the event for his focus. Adding that his charismatic leadership style in the house is worthy of emulation.

The issue of peer group, parental neglects he noted as being contributory factors to the problem.

“Domestic violence just like drug abuse needs urgent attention. He added.

The host, his excellency, governor Uba Sani speaking through the permanent secretary, ministry of health, hajiya Aisha Abubakar commended the efforts of NOA.

He expressed concern over women’s involvement in intake of drugs. Most of the women abuse is that of the ‘over the counter’ abuse. Buying and taking drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor.

The state government she informed in partnership has set up treatment centres across the state.

Presently, there is a centre at Angwan Sarki and another in Kaduna south and are to be upgraded. Pleaded to local governments to assist by allocating lands for the purpose.

“We have to change our orientation about substance abuse. Lamenting on the increase of domestic violence,

“There are people who abuse their intimate partners. The husband being violent either for the sake of maintaining power, or that of boosting his ego which has resulted to loss of lives. This applies to both men and women because there are cases whereby some women out of rage have killed their husbands.

“Violence is not love. Abuse is not love. Subjugation is not love.” She cautioned that parties (particularly couples) should embrace peace, be patient, develop that spirit of understanding as such display of violence does not augur well for the moral upbringing of their children.

She appreciated stakeholders and all concerned citizens with positive mindset of bringing about change by eradicating drug abuse and domestic violence.

“we as citizens of Kaduna wish to appreciate NOA for conceptualizing the flags-off.”

The state government she stated has set up shelters to cater for victims of intimate partners violence. Hajiya Aisha urged people to say ‘No’ to violence as that is a more credible way towards enhancing better future for the nation.

The convener of the event, speaker House of Representatives, Right Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, while delivering his speech promised to do his best. The president he stated is in support of the campaign and pleaded for everyone’s support and cooperation in fighting the cartels and bring an end to it.

According to reports, Kano state is having the highest dealers in drugs while Jigawa state is the least in northwest zone of the country.