In commemoration of this year’s United Nation’s International Day against drug abuse and illegal drug trade, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has partnered with MTN Foundation in creating awareness on the dangers of drug abuse in Nigeria.
The event held Wednesday at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja had in attendance top executives of MTN foundation, representatives of security agencies and dignitaries across the country, including wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, who also represented the first lady and wife President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari.
In his remarks on the occasion, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mr Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah said the agency has been championing the cause against drug abuse by holding sensitization programmes for students, market women, farmers and organizations across the nation.
He said: “Our events on drug abuse have always attracted wide participation from people from all walks of live. The theme for this year presupposes responses in line with international control measures. We want to take the message to the often neglected people in society, which is the reason why we have involved students, farmers, market women and every other group targeted at reducing drug abuse in the country.
“This year’s event is in partnership with MTN foundation, which has been championing the fight against drug abuse. You can agree with me that we have had our fair challenges of drug abuse, especially the Tramadol crises od of last year, but the federal government’s efforts towards curbing the menace have been yielding results.”
Also speaking, the chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adeluyi, said that the foundation is determined to continue leading the charge against drug abuse, as everything should not be left in the hands of government alone.
“The MTN anti-substance abuse program (ASAP) was established a few years ago to lend its voice against substance abuse and the foundation has been providing care and hope to addicts. However, we need collaboration with other stakeholders. Everything should not be left to government alone, that’s why MTN foundation is leading the charge,” he said.
The United Nation’s International Day against drug abuse and illegal drug trade is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989, as instituted by United Nations’s General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.
