*The Nigerian Communications Commission says the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is seeking collaboration with the Commission to explore the use of telecoms platforms to disseminate information and sensitise Nigerians on its anti-narcotics regulatory activities in the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appointed Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the anti-narcotics regulatory agency’s Special Ambassador.

绿帽献妻 reports Prof. Danbatta’s appointment is consonance with the NDLEA renewed offensive against drug trafficking and use of other dangerous substances leading to addiction among the populace in the West African country.

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Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, disclosed Muhammed Ajiya, Commander for Narcotics at NDLEA Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the agency聽 announced the Ambassadorial recognition during a courtesy visit to the Commission at the weekend in Abuja

The Commission said Ajiya noted the objective of the NDLEA鈥檚 visit was to partner with the Commission in order to reduce the number of drug addicts in the country through sensitisation programmes.

Exploring telecoms platforms to disseminate information, sensitise citizens

According to the NDLEA FCT Commander, one of the aims of this collaboration is to explore the use of telecoms platforms to disseminate information about its activities to sensitise the citizens.

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This, he stated, has become strategic as nearly all Nigerian youths are telecoms subscribers who interface with telecoms platforms from time to time.

The Commission also noted Ajiya said the NCC comes readily to mind as a good partner to the NDLEA in achieving the latter鈥檚 mandate of reducing cases of drug trafficking, substance abuse and addiction among the Nigerian youths.

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Ajiya further stated: 鈥淭he NDLEA has rehabilitation centres across the country.

“This shows that we do not only apprehend the drug addicts, but we have rehabilitation centres where we monitor and guide them until they are fully rehabilitated.”

He, therefore, expressed appreciation that the NCC Chief considered and accepted this role聽 as NDLEA Ambassador in the fight against drug addiction in Nigeria.

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Usman Malah, Director of Human Capital and Administration at NCC, who received the NDLEA鈥檚 delegation on behalf of Prof. Danbatta, assured the visiting team of the Commission鈥檚 commitment to supporting the anti-narcotics regulatory agency in eradicating drug abuse and sensitising the citizenry, especially the young generation on the harmful effects of drug abuse.

The majority of the youths are said to be telecoms consumers in the country’s digital ecosystem, stated Malah.

He further said: 鈥淪trategic collaboration and partnership is one of the key pillars of the two regulatory roadmaps of the Commission 鈥� the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024; and the Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (SVP) 2021-2025.”

The NCC Director of Human Capital and Administration further assured the agency: “We would convey the NDLEA鈥檚 message to the Commission鈥檚 Management to see how we can explore the areas of collaboration being requested by your agency.”

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