Additionally, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to continuing to offer the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, the resources and assistance it needs to carry out its duties.
The 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa, or HONLAF, was opened on Tuesday at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, according to a statement from the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja.
"This administration will continue to provide the necessary support, inspiration, and tools for the NDLEA to fulfill its mandate," stated Tinubu, who was at the ceremony represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. We recognize the link between the accomplishment of several objectives on our socio-economic and security agenda and the effectiveness of the war against drug abuse and trafficking.
According to Tinubu, fighting drug trafficking and substance misuse is a moral obligation as much as a matter of policy.
Our ability to prevent any person or group from turning our nations into a minefield for drug trafficking has always been a pillar of our power. Therefore, we must give prevention, education, and rehabilitation top priority in order to provide our kids with opportunities and information. We must prevent kids from going down the perilous road of drug misuse and trafficking and safeguard our economy from the fallout from their decisions, he continued.
The conference's president advised attendees to take advantage of the chance to brainstorm fresh ideas for fighting drug cartels all throughout the African continent.
Earlier, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, encouraged their peers across the continent to enhance operational networks and raise the bar in the drug fight while mentioning the specifics of the 2023 world drug report as a challenge for Africa.
According to Marwa, "Drug use disorders impair physical and mental health, safety, and well-being, while the negative effects of drug trafficking and the illicit drug economies are a major factor in many of these dangers, from political unrest and armed conflict to environmental destruction.
"The global drug epidemic impacts all of us in various ways and manifestations. For Africa specifically, the stakes are very high. The world drug problem cannot be solved merely through international policymaking; it also requires efficient execution and cooperation among practitioners. No one nation can solve a problem of this magnitude alone.
Here's when the HONLAF enters the picture. The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the meeting's parent organization, can hear about current regional drug trends, dangers, and upcoming concerns from practitioners and law enforcement specialists from all around the continent at this crucial gathering. The discussion of global policy needs the inclusion of regional perspectives, and HONLAF provides the chance to do so from an African perspective. The meetings give participants a forum to exchange ideas and best practices while also learning from one another.
In the meantime, the Chairman of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Executive Director of the UNODC, Ghada Fathi Waly, both spoke via video greetings to the audience to express their support for the event and to urge participants to make the most of the opportunities it presents.
The presentation of the NOCTA report, which was developed by the National Institute for Security Studies with assistance from the UNODC and collaboration from security agencies, was one of the highlights of the program.