Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has pledged to assist and work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug misuse in the nation.
During a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the esteemed traditional ruler led two other royal fathers: Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye, and Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Chairman of the NDLEA, was given a renewed mission to combat substance misuse and illegal drug trafficking, and the monarch promised him assistance and cooperation.
“To be kind with you, we are proud of you,” he said. It is not by accident that you are in this position right now; rather, it is a result of your dedication and passion. You have this friendly personality. You have always been a performer, which is why you are able to rule Lagos State and Borno. The legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria is another aspect of you that I will never forget.
In direct response to the NDLEA chief’s request that traditional leaders assist the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat drug usage, Alaafin pledged to mobilize his compatriots to collaborate with the agency.
“I’ve heard your message, and some of my colleagues here as well as some of my other traditional rulers agree; we are prepared to work with you. I must admit that we are close to the locals and at the grassroots level. We have extensive knowledge of the situation. I’m taking this chance to let you know that we’re prepared. We are more than willing to collaborate with you and provide you with all the help you need to succeed in this position. Oba Owoade said, “We can assure you that we will always be there for you whenever you need us.”
Marwa welcomed the Alaafin and congratulated him on taking his ancestors’ reign. He accused him and other traditional leaders nationwide of using their local clout to collaborate with NDLEA in the fight against drug usage.
According to him, “nearly 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs, according to the 2018 drug use survey report, and the drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit.” It’s a serious issue, and President Tinubu has ordered us to take action, combat the drug problem, apprehend the traffickers, punish them, and seize their assets. We would like to call on the traditional institutions for this job because they are an extremely significant institution.
The traditional institutions are respected by Nigerians. No matter who you are in Nigeria, you are from somewhere. And you honor the local leader when you return to that location. Therefore, the traditional leader’s words have weight. We also urge traditional authorities to take a firm stance against drug usage by engaging the religious leaders in charge of the local churches and mosques. The NDLEA is always ready to collaborate with the established organization.
Because drug traffickers put many young people and their families at risk, he said the Agency will also value information from traditional leaders regarding drug dealers in local areas.
“We truly value this partnership, and I can assure you that if we are able to reduce drug use, even criminal activity will decrease because all kidnappers, insurgents, terrorists, and bandits use drugs first to get high,” he continued.
He thanked Alaafin for the visit and wished him a long and prosperous reign filled with health, peace, growth, and prosperity across the Oyo Kingdom.
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