Education

Sarkin Kano advocates drug abuse test for leaders

Published

6 years ago

June 26, 2020

Oboh Mike

Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado has advocated for political and appointed leaders to be tested for drug abuse as a measure to clear the rising drug abuse in the country.

The Emir, who was represented in by Dr. Basheer Mohammed Dankadai in an Electronic Summit against drug abuse organized by the Center for Drug Abuse Education & Skills Acquisition said the Kano Emirate Council will want what is obtainable in Kano is extended to all political and appointed leaders across the country.

According to His Royal Highness, Bayero, who spoke on strategies for combating drug and substance abuse in Nigeria, the Council was prompted to take a close look at the drug and substance abuse problem in Kano state and Nigeria at large with the aim of preferring possible solutions that will drastically curtail the menace.

He listed among others the testing of all leaders of authorities before they are cleared to hold such position as obtainable in the State, “We at the Kano Emirate Council reserve all our titles from the ward head to the Emir to only those that are drug-free. This includes other traditional titles that are trade-related (occupational) eg. Sarkin Noma(chief of farmers), Sarkin Aska(chief of barbers).

“Cutting off the supply of all substances of abuse which will involve the following actions, aggressive search and seize operations in the illegal drug markets, our land, sea borders and airports and also our highways and rail system by the task forces concerned. Presently such task forces are understaffed and ill-equipped, not to mention the peculiar problem of some major wholesale markets being inaccessible to law enforcement agents. Such markets include Kano Sabon Gari, Lagos Oshodi, Onitsha and Port Harcourt.

“Effective enforcement of existing laws and enacting new laws that will complement the existing ones. Such new laws should include those that will ban legal drugs that have a high potential for abuse and are currently being abused but have good alternatives that are less likely to be abused. These should include but are not limited to Benny line with codeine (already banned, Tramadol hydrochloride, Pentazocine, and Rohypnol, etc.”

Bayero further said that the application of. Drastically curving demand can be achieved through aggressive awareness campaigns by our traditional rulers’ imams ulamaa, CSO’s, NGO’s Development partners, etc.

He said a law denying recognition to those who made it to the top through illicit drugs business may act as a disincentive to drug abuse by the youths adding that in the civil service certain grade levels should be reserved for only those that are drug-free just as the National Assembly should make it mandatory for any political office seeker to be drug-free.

He applauded Kano State government under the leadership of Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for taking a cue from the Kano Emirate Council by making it mandatory for all new political appointees to pass the drug test before taking their appointment.

He explained that drastically reducing Youth unemployment and increasing the number of well-equipped and staffed rehabilitation centers and continuous awareness campaigns by traditional rulers and other stakeholders will also play a major role.

Also in her presentation, Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen, said as a mother, “I am worried at the rate of drug use not only amongst young girls but also amongst married women. It has taken a different dimension threatening to destroy the fabric of our society. It is alarming that even in primary school girls have been induced into this unholy act.

“As we embark on our advocacy for all to support our efforts towards promoting girl Girl-Child Education, I want to assure you that we will definitely take this on board as a critical area of focus. So many young and promising lives have been destroyed as a result of drug use.

“Drug use has never benefitted anybody. I want to also appeal to mothers that no matter how busy they are, they should endeavor to take an interest in the company their children keep. I also want to call on students to speak out when they notice something strange about their friends.

On her Part, Wife Of Kwara State Governor, Dr (Mrs) Olufolake Abdulrazaq and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick said the will continue to support the idea for the elimination of drug abuse in the country as it has a telling effect on the overall wellbeing of the people.

Ar Olufolake Abdulrazaq who commended the organizers of the summit said anything that will not add value to the society should be collectively eliminated hence her husband and the government of the State is doing everything possible to help check the menace.

NFF president, Pinnick said he will use football as a tool to help spread the negative effects of drug abuse and called on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight to checkmate it.

Abi Goodman, the Founder and Executive Program Coordinator of the Center for Drug Abuse Education & Skills Acquisition said as anticipated, the participations gave the summit the credence and extensive reach that it required and the commitment that the battle against drug abuse deserves will be achievable.

Mr. Shadrach Haruna, Secretary of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the agency wants more NGOs and other government t organization to support the awareness campaign to enable the summit to reach more people even at the grassroots level.

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Education

Igbinedion University, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access

Mr. Femi Shonubi, Co-Founder/CTO – EduTech Global

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with EduTech Global to accelerate its digital learning ambitions, expand access to its academic programmes to students in the country.

Through the partnership, EduTech will provide digital learning infrastructure and technology support for the University’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC), thereby enabling learners to access quality university education beyond the conventional campus environment.

The partnership reflects Igbinedion University’s ambition to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape by combining its academic heritage with technology, innovation and new models of learning that contribute to national workforce development.

Speaking on the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the collaboration represented a significant step in the university’s ambition to produce graduates equipped for national and global impact.

He said: “At Igbinedion University, our mandate has always been to lead in producing graduates equipped for national and global impact. This partnership with EduTech Global represents a bold step into the future of higher education in Nigeria.
“By expanding our digital learning infrastructure, we are not just breaking down geographical barriers; we are actively contributing to national workforce development by ensuring that quality, industry-aligned education is accessible to every driven learner, regardless of location.”

In his remarks, Director, Igbinedion University Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Gideon Bawa, said the university was motivated by the opportunity to transform its existing processes, which hitherto were being handled manually, and build a more efficient and scalable distance learning model.

The Director clarified: “The growth recorded by institutions that have leveraged EduTech’s technology and expertise was a major factor in our decision to engage the company. We are confident that this partnership will position Igbinedion University to achieve significant growth in enrolment while strengthening the quality and efficiency of our Distance Learning Centre.”

“With this partnership, we expect to move most of our administrative and academic activities online through EduTech. This will improve efficiency, enhance the learner experience and allow our facilitators and students to engage more effectively through a connected digital learning environment”, Bawa added.

Commenting on the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EduTech Global, Femi Shonubi, pointed out that technology had been redefining the boundaries of what a university can offer, adding that EduTech’s role extends beyond putting courses online.

Shonubi expatiated: “Technology’s true value lies in its ability to drive tangible socio-economic impact through education. By dismantling physical boundaries, we are empowering institutions like Igbinedion University to democratise access to high-quality learning. This is about more than online courses; it is about developing a resilient, highly skilled workforce at scale to meet the demands of the modern economy.

“We are helping institutions build connected learning ecosystems that support the student journey from application and enrolment through learning, assessment and graduation. Igbinedion University’s ambition to lead in innovative education aligns strongly with what we are building at EduTech.”

General Manager, Edutech Global, Moyosore Asubiojo said the partnership arises as demand grows for flexible higher education among working professionals, entrepreneurs and learners seeking alternatives to traditional full-time campus education.

She asserted that by combining Igbinedion University’s academic competence with EduTech’s technology capabilities, the collaboration will create new pathways to quality education and workforce development while enabling the University to expand beyond its traditional geographical footprint.

Analysts believe that the partnership between the university and the tech company represents a shared commitment to making higher education more accessible, flexible and scalable, while positioning the university to compete and lead in the next generation of technology-enabled education in Nigeria and globally.

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