Zero tolerance - Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

By Rasheedah Makinde

Nigeria drug law enforcement agency, NDLEA says it has declared zero tolerance for drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The NDLEA commander in Oyo state, Mr Olayinka Joe-Fadile stated this during a walk to commemorate this year’s international day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Mr Joe-Fadile said the walk became imperative as part of efforts of the command to campaign against the wrong usage of drugs which are damaging and eating away people’s health on a daily basis.

He said despite the efforts of NDLEA and other stakeholders, the abuse of drugs and trafficking still persist, hence the need for the agency to continue its campaign on the negative effects of drugs on individuals, communities and the society at large.

Mr Joe-Fadile who explained that it was unfortunate that as NDLEA was working assiduously to eradicate drug abuse of most of the substances, the people involved always find a way of introducing new drugs to the society, noted that the command has been advocating investment in prevention of drug abuse, empowerment of communities to be able to handle the prevention as well as facilitating dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders.

Mr Joe-Fadile stated further that the command also promotes evidence base policy making of all government level and also engage communities in prevention schemes to empower youths and facilitate international cooperation.

He noted that since June last year to today, the command had arrested five hundred and fifty four suspects with various drug types and also seized five thousand three hundred and eighty eight kilograms of drugs and also convicted fifty six drug users.

“The command had also rehabilitated and released twenty two drug addicts while seven drug addicts are still in their custody for rehabilitation”.

The NDLEA boss in Oyo state, therefore , called on community, religious and traditional leaders to partner the agency to collectively nip the act of drug peddling in the bud as they are closer to the grassroots.

Our correspondent reports that The walk which started from NDLEA’s office passed through Onireke, Jembewon, mokola, Dugbe and back to their headquarters at Onireke GRA,was joined by other security agencies in Oyo state.

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By Olumide Ogunbiyi

Female Genital Cutting is a barbaric trend that must be halted in society.

This was the submission of stakeholders at an event put together by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Center for Population and Reproductive Health, CPRH, to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

Speaking on the theme “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to end FGM”, the Director of the Center for Population and Reproductive, CPRH, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede said FGM was a practice that should be relegated to the background.

He described it as a scourge which must be tackled by all and sundry. Professor Ojengbede said the event was a collaboration of stakeholders to raise awareness of the need to end FGM.

“it is raising awareness using this day which has been designated globally to bring in more men, those who are involved and who may be involved, to bring them together so that they can actually drive it, if the men support it, women will be more protected”

On her part, a legal practitioner, Mrs Deborah Collins highlighted the position of the law on FGM urging the public to do away with all practices that could make them contravene the law.

A participant, Mr Adegboye Otunla, a member of the “Oloola family”, when lending his voice to the clamour to end FGM, charged concerned authorities to put all hands on deck to give the girl child the desired respect and honour.

“I am saying it, the Oloolas will not do it, because we use to tell our people, if you do and you’re caught, you’re on your own”

The programme had in attendance traditional circumcisers drawn from across Oyo state.