NAFDAC Secured Convictions of Eight Drug Offenders in 11 Months, Says DG

Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
The National Agency  for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday said it secured  eight convictions of drug offenders in the last 11 months.

The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, disclosed this at the commencement  of the aency’s national education and awareness campaign in Sokoto.

She said 52 other drugs suspects were being prosecuted in various  courts across Nigeria.
According to her,  the Federal Ministry of Justice was taking the right steps to ensure the speedy prosecution of the suspects.

 Oni appealed for more funds to make the NAFDAC more effective and efficient, saying  staff of the Agency were vibrant, robust and productive.

“We need more funds to provide more vehicles, equipment for our laboratories and other needed logistics.
“Our drug manufacturers should be encouraged to produce quality products, to reduce importation.
“Nigeria should be a producing nation rather than being a heavily consuming nation,” she said.

The Director General urged Nigerians to key into the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari and endeavour to always  do the right things.
She lamented that  drug  abuse has become a common  and very serious public health issue, especially among the youth.

In a remark,  Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, said the state government had set up inter-agency taskforce to curb the menace of illicit drugs and other unwholesome substances.
“Drugs abuse has now regrettable extended even to matrimonial homes, with some couples being drug abusers.

‘’The state government will support the agency and its sister agencies and is determined to do everything humanly possible to counter the menace,’’ Tambuwal said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the District Head of Hamma’ali, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, commended the agency for organising the event and pledged the support of the Sultanate Council to tackle the menace