Featured

Kick Drug Abuse, Trafficking Out Of Nigeria, AUDA-NEPAD Boss urges stakeholders

Published

6 years ago

June 26, 2019

As the world observes International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/ Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, joins the call for a nation devoid of drug abuse.

The call was made in a statement signed in Abuja on Wednesday by Media Assistant to AUDA-NEPAD boss Mr. Abolade Ogundimu,.

According to the AUDA-NEPAD Boss, every drug is meant to cure at least, particular ailment in human beings or animals, any attempt to take beyond the recommended dosage is not only dangerous to the person but the entire society.

“It is a global challenge that should be kicked out of our country, the continent and the world at large.

“That is because its negative impacts affect both the abusers, the people around and the societies at large.

“Perpetrators have no age limit but it is common among the youths, which makes it serious a threat to humanity and should be resisted by collective efforts.

“The current spate of deliberate abuse of drugs among the people of different social classes especially, the youths is now at an alarming stage.

“It becomes more worrisome to find people adducing flimsy excuses for drug abuse and its illicit trafficking. That is supposed to be taken moderately for different ailments,” she said.

Akobundu urged perpetrators, made up of those abusing drugs and hard drug traffickers, to desist from such dangerous act and become more productive.

“The temporary relieve they tend to derive from mixture and abuses of drugs are so brief, what they intend to forget usually return to stare them in the face after a while.

“And they become worse than they were before abusing the drugs.

“I, therefore, urge our youths to turn back from the path of self-destruction associated with drug abuse.

“They should emulate good role models and not drug addicts, because no matter their fame, they always end in ignominy,” she added.

The AUDA-NEPAD boss noted that drug abuse was one of the major causes of insecurity ravaging the nation.

“I, therefore, call on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), health workers, parents, teachers, and religious leaders to continue to complement government’s efforts in stemming the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in our society”.

Akobundu said that would go a long way in the quest to have a greater nation, populated by active and responsible youths to harness her other God-given resources.

“AUDA-NEPAD(Nigeria) will continue to collaborate with relevant public and private organizations like NDLEA, NAFDAC, NGOs, and other organizations till drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking are confined into our dark past as a nation.

“I urge parents especially, mothers, not only to guide their wards against drug abuse but to ensure they only give medically prescribed drugs to them and pay attention to their odd behaviors.

Similarly, teachers should report any activity that is untoward in their students”.

The AUDA-NEPAD (Nigeria) C.E.O said every step taken on June 26 against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking should be sustained round the year.

“Sustaining activities of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will go a long way to highly eliminate the vice from this great nation, Nigeria,” she said.

The National Coordinator commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led government for being resolute to end the menace in the country, urging other stakeholders to fully support the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

June 26 is set aside as International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the United Nations (UN) to step up awareness on the dangers of those vices and the need to eliminate them.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

Share on Facebook