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NDLEA Boss Unveils Visionary Strategy To Combat Evolving Drug Menace In Nigeria
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has urged stakeholders working on Nigeria’s next National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2026–2030) to ensure that the document effectively tackles emerging threats that continue to fuel the illicit drug trade in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Marwa gave the charge on Monday in Niger State during the opening session of a five-day workshop organized to develop the fifth National Drug Control Master Plan. The session, funded by the ECOWAS Commission and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together representatives from several ministries, agencies, and international organizations.
Marwa described the development of the new plan as both strategic and historic, stressing that the drug problem continues to evolve globally and requires a dynamic, forward-looking response. “The NDCMP 2026–2030 must be visionary yet practical; comprehensive yet targeted; and nationally owned yet regionally and globally aligned,” he said. He emphasized the need for the plan to address modern challenges such as synthetic drugs, dark-web trafficking, poly-substance abuse, and the illicit financial networks sustaining the trade.
He urged participants to use the workshop to identify successes, address gaps, and design innovative solutions for the future. Marwa reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to leading and coordinating efforts that would ensure not only the effective creation but also the full implementation of the new Master Plan. He also pledged to strengthen cooperation with regional and global partners, noting that “the drug challenge recognises no borders.”
The NDLEA boss expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union, the UNODC, and other national and private-sector partners for their continuous collaboration in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, saying their joint effort would shape “a safer, healthier, and more secure future for Nigeria and West Africa.”
Speaking at the event, UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Ousmane, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended Nigeria’s progress in drug control. He noted that despite these gains, the drug landscape is constantly changing due to new psychoactive substances, organized crime networks, and economic pressures. He described the Master Plan as the key framework for harmonizing national strategies with international standards, including the UN drug conventions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the African Union’s Plan of Action on Drug Control.
Similarly, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, represented by Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, highlighted Nigeria’s critical role in regional drug control efforts. She noted that the current Master Plan will expire this year and that the new strategy must respond effectively to modern drug-related challenges, trafficking patterns, and the rising burden of substance use disorders.
She reaffirmed ECOWAS’s continued technical and financial support for Nigeria, adding that the initiative aligns with the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Programme and broader efforts to strengthen mechanisms for reducing both drug demand and supply in the region.
Representatives from key agencies, including the Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture, Budget and Planning, NAFDAC, EFCC, NFIU, and NACA, also participated in the workshop, pledging their commitment to building a strong, evidence-based national response to drug control.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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