The Kogi State Government has reconstituted a 26-member Drug Control Committee in line with the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015–2019 to tackle drug abuse and its attendant problems.
Launching the committee on Saturday in Lokoja, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, said the rising menace of illicit drugs made the move expedient.
“We all know the effects of hard drugs in our society. The purpose of this committee is to drastically reduce the sale, distribution, and use of illicit drugs in Kogi State.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration is determined to ensure the state is not a safe haven for drug dealers or users,” she declared.
The SGS charged the State Drug Control Committee to work as a team and hold regular discussions to achieve its goals, noting that success would lead to a saner and safer society.
The committee draws membership from the NDLEA, Ministry of Health, Education, Information and Communications, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, traditional rulers, chairmen of LGAs, youth associations, pharmaceutical bodies, NGOs/CSOs, and faith-based organisations.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the NDLEA Kogi Commander, Umar Mustapha Yahuza — who co-chairs the SDCC with the Governor’s Wife, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo — assured the government of their commitment to work round the clock to meet the objectives of the NDCMP in the state.
He thanked Governor Ododo for bringing the committee to life.
The National Drug Control Master Plan 2015–2019, developed by the Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and supported by the European Union, served as Nigeria’s first comprehensive policy framework for drug control.
It focused on reducing drug supply and demand, improving access to controlled medicines, and strengthening coordination among government agencies.
Nigeria has since adopted an updated NDCMP 2021–2025, which builds on the earlier framework. The current plan emphasises prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, and law enforcement as part of a holistic response to drug-related challenges.
It also encourages states to domesticate these strategies by creating structures and institutions at community and state levels to curb drug abuse.
By reconstituting its State Drug Control Committee, Kogi is aligning with this national strategy to tackle the rising menace of illicit drugs.
Recent operations underscore the urgency of such alignment. Akelicious reported that NDLEA uncovered 11.3kg of cannabis hidden inside microwaves imported from Thailand.
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