Published
on
By
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Mohamed Buba Marwa, has offered an amnesty to those still involved in the illicit drug business, urging them to turn over a new leaf or risk losing their freedom and assets in the new year.
In his new year message, the anti-drug champion said the NDLEA and its workforce are moving into 2022 with a resolution to rid the country of illicit substances and “to continue our aggressive pursuit of drug cartels, barons and traffickers anywhere they may be within the country or even outside.”
He said “given our pedigree in 2021, there should be no doubt whatsoever about our capability to carry out these stated objectives.
“In the past year, we have scaled up our capability and reinvigorated our anti-narcotic activities. Our efforts have yielded arrests and interdictions. That should be a clear signal to anyone in the drug trade that the rules of the game have changed.
“In 2022, our goals remain the same: to dismantle drug cartels and syndicates, and that include arresting and having drug offenders jailed by the court and ultimately to rid our society of all traces of illicit substances.”
While leaving open a window of repentance for those in the trade, Mr Marwa said; “there is still a window of opportunity for drug traffickers and barons: Now is the time for them to turn over a new leaf before NDLEA turn on the heat and they lose it all. Since most of them are in the business to amass wealth and now they have made fortunes from this trade that harms society, therefore, it is time to quit.
“We call on them to think about the common good, to think about the future of this country, to think about the young and coming generations. Let commonsense prevail and on your own volition make a significant contribution towards the effort to have a drug-free society where peace and harmony reign.
“We have seen the havoc of illicit drugs from the ugly development in parts of our nation due to drug abuse by youths and also from the general blight caused by abuse of Cannabis across the country.
“Those who heed this warning will thank themselves for taking the wise decision to quit the drug trade in the days ahead. Those who think and act otherwise can be assured of a tough year in 2022.
“They can take a cue from what happened in 2021, where the Agency secured various jail terms for over 1, 200 drug traffickers, including nationals of other countries and we brought to book six drug barons, including those outside the country and those who had been on the run for as long as 10 years.”
While emphasizing Nigeria’s determination to win the drug war, Mr Marwa said with the full support of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the citizenry, NDLEA will leave no stone unturned to fulfil its mandate in 2022.
“In this campaign against drug abuse and trafficking of illicit substances, the Agency has the public support 100 per cent.
“The Presidency is backing NDLEA to the hilt. Lawmakers are giving the Agency the necessary leverage. And in the court of law, as proven by recent developments, there is no respite for drug traffickers and barons. Likewise, we have a good rapport with international partners.
“Hence, those who deal in illicit substances can be certain that NDLEA’s long arms will reach them and they will face severe penalties from the law,” he added.
Wike Blames FG for Hydrocarbon Soot in Port Harcourt
Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.
NDLEA Promises Drug Cartels Tough Time in 2022
Published
on
By
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has pointed accusatory fingers at the federal government for its inaction towards the hydrocarbon soot bedevilling the state caused by the illegal activities of artisanal refiners.
Governor Wike during a state-wide broadcast to mark the new year said the central government, despite all efforts by the state to draw their attention to the menace, has refused to intervene on the issue.
He assured that his administration has been overly concerned over the black soot environmental disaster that has continued to affect Port Harcourt residents.
“As a state government, we have drawn the attention of the federal government to this problem and requested for its intervention to stop the activities of illegal bunkering and artisanal crude oil refiners, which have been identified as the main sources of the soot pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the federal government has remained inexplicably silent over our request and even complicit to a large extent with the security agencies actively aiding, encouraging and protecting the artisanal refiners to continue with their harmful activities unabated.
“We have equally appealed without success to our people engaging in this illegal business to consider its negative effects on our economy, environment, public safety and public health and disengage from it.
“We will continue to engage and plead with the Federal Government to intervene and save our people from this serious environmental and health emergency,” the Governor said.
However, Mr Wike said since the federal security agencies have refused to stop the illegal crude oil refining activities in the state, his administration will take necessary measures to tackle the soot menace, which he said was a direct challenge to everyone’s collective health and survival.
“Consequently, I have directed the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council to go after all the illegal crude oil refining sites along Creek road and adjourning areas of the city and shut them down with immediate effect.
“Furthermore, all Local Government Chairmen are directed to work with community leaders to locate and identify those behind all illegal bunkering and crude oil refining sites in their localities and report to my office for further action.”
The Governor also expressed his sympathy to the victims of the recent fire incidences caused by activities of illegal oil bunkering in the State, especially those who lost loved ones and valuable property.
“As a government, we will continue to do our best to strengthen the State Fire Service to effectively intervene to mitigate the damage during fire incidents.
“However, members of the public also have the responsibility to do the right thing to prevent or avoid some of these fire incidents from happening and those who deliberately bury fuel and gas tanks in residential areas are certainly not doing the right thing, and should therefore relocate their precarious businesses to more convenient and less risky places,” he stated.
Business Post gathered that the prevalence of pollution and the inhalation of carcinogens due to black soot prevalence have surged among residents and has led to increasing respiratory-related diseases within the last six years.
Published
on
By
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has mourned the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, describing him as a brave and courageous leader.
The House of Representatives member, in a condolence message issued in Ibadan on Sunday by her media aide, Mr Olamilekan Olusada, noted that the late monarch led his people with utmost diligence and unassuming dedication, commending his strong adherence for peace, progress and development.
Business Post reports that the revered traditional ruler joined his ancestors today at the age of 93. He died at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In her message, Ms Akande-Sadipe the 41st Olubadan would long be remembered in the annals of Ibadan and Oyo State for being an exemplar in virtually all facets of life.
“On behalf of my constituency, I extend my condolences to the good people of Ibadan land, the Olubadan-in-council, and the immediate family members of the late Oba Adetunji,” she said.
The lawmaker added that the late monarch was a creditable leader whose reign as Olubadan united his people, and witnessed massive development in the State.
“With heavy heart, I mourn and condole with the immediate family of our father, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole. The passing unto glory of our Father has saddened us all”.
“Kabiyesi lived a very value-added and meaningful life ascending the throne in 2016. Prior to that he had a fruitful fashion designing business and his music label promoted the likes of famous musicians such Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Dauda Epo Akara.
“I pray that God should repose the soul of the departed monarch and comfort the family and the people of Ibadan,” she added.
Oba Adetunji was a successful businessman and first class traditional ruler died after close to five years on the throne of his forefathers.
Published
on
By
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the foremost traditional rulers in Yorubaland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeogunguniso II, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, has breathed his last.
Oba Adetunji, who was installed as Olubadan in 2016, died at the age of 93 at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
But as at press time, the ruling family and the palace are yet to make an official announcement of the demise of the respected monarch.
Oba Adetunji, born on August 26, 1928, became the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan following his coronation on March 4, 2016. But before then, he was the Balogun of Ibadan land.
He was the first of 17 children of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji and grew up learning vocational jobs until he took up fashion designing as a means of living after moving into Lagos.
While working as a fashion designer, he delved into musical record marketing until 1960 when he founded his first of three record label imprints called Baba Laje Records which housed notable Fuji music acts including Dauda Epo-Akara and Wasiu Ayinde Marshall.
Davos was Different this year
Kwara Disburses N1.7b For Projects
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
How To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN
How To Identify Fake Naira Notes
Sort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
NSE Market Capitalisation Sheds N76b as Sell‐offs Persist
FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N655.18b in January
Copyright © 2021 BusinessPost
Menu
