President Tinubu Urges African Nations to Combat Drug Enterprises for a Brighter Future

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a stern warning on Tuesday, urging African nations to break free from the clutches of drug barons and illicit drug syndicates. Speaking at the 31st meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja, President Tinubu stressed the critical need for a united front against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the continent.

The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, implored the heads of national drug law enforcement agencies from various African nations to renew their commitment to the fight against this pervasive issue. He highlighted the dire consequences of failing to combat the criminal enterprises involved in the drug trade, stating, “If we don’t dismantle the criminal enterprises that threaten our future and build a brighter tomorrow for all Africans, we will remain in chains in a diseased and amoral world, as will our children and their children.”

President Tinubu, in his keynote address titled ‘Rising Above the Drug Threat,’ acknowledged that Africa faced a threat that transcended race, geography, gender, and social class. He called upon the heads of drug law enforcement agencies to view the conference in Abuja as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change across the continent.

Expressing gratitude for the dedication of these agencies, President Tinubu recognized their vital role in protecting society from the devastating effects of drug trafficking and abuse. He commended their efforts to thwart the desperate attempts of criminal organizations seeking to infiltrate African nations.

President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasized the importance of collaboration among anti-narcotics agencies at sub-regional and regional levels. This collaboration, he noted, would make it increasingly challenging for drug syndicates to operate within the African continent.

The president concluded his address by stating, “Our strength has always been our proactive actions to prevent any individual or group from turning our countries into a minefield of drug trafficking. So, we must prioritize prevention, education, and rehabilitation to empower our youth with knowledge and opportunities.”

The choice of Nigeria as the host for the conference was described by President Tinubu as a recognition of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) commitment to combat illicit drugs in the country. Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman of the NDLEA, reiterated the stakeholders’ dedication to addressing the global drug problem, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in this endeavor.

Speakers at the meeting’s opening session included Mr. Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC); Mr. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative; Mr. Ayodele Adeleke, the Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies; and Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Representative of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, among others. The conference aims to provide a platform for collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes on a global scale.