The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr James David Lalu has been identified by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (in their Advocacy against Drug abuse) as one of the recognized Ambassadors to champion the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
The ceremony which was held in Abuja, today 13th October, 2023, was supervised by a delegation from the drug Agency led by the Commander Narcotics Olawale Ayodeji Asa who represented their FCT commander was chiefly, to sensitize the staff of the Commission as well as to unveil their strategic plan to reduce drug abuse with a focus on Drug supplies and Demand approaches.
In his speech, Lalu expressed his appreciation to the Chairman, NDLEA, Buba Marwa who he revealed has demonstrated his commitments towards providing employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in compliance with section 29th of the Disability Law.
The ES also showed his recognition of the diligence of the State Commander who initiated the Advocacy visit.
He also seized the occasion to declare that the War Against Drug Abuse must be embraced by all Persons With Disabilities.
The Executive Secretary, however, promised that every information provided by the Agency will be transformed to Brail and Sign language in order to help the blind and the deaf to be abreast with all the useful information pertaining to drug abuse in order to cub the menace.
“It is unfortunate that some Persons With Disabilities sometimes allow themselves to be used in trafficking drugs which I believe is prompted by ignorance, greed and poverty” he lamented.
The ES further stated that cases of drug abuse could equally be traced to frustrations, peer pressures or perhaps, a prevalent lifestyle amongst the youths.
“However, ignorance of the law is not an excuse and as such, defaulters of laid down rules must be made to face the consequences; therefore, we must all carry this message to the grassroots in order to redeem the image of our dear Nation across the seas” he stated.
He then cited the negative perception that foreigners have about Nigeria which he said must be changed.
Representing the FCT commandant NDLEA was the Deputy Commander (Narcotics), Olawale Ayodeji Asa who reiterated that the current leadership of the Agency is on a rebranding mission, to reorder the negative perception of Nigeria through affirmative actions, to reduce the Demand and Supply of drugs
He further affirmed that the Agency does not disclose the IDs of its whistleblowers’.
Mbanefo JohnMichaels I
Head Press and Public Relations Unit, NCPWD
13th October, 2023
