OSHIOMHOLE, NDLEA SEEK SOLUTION ON CANNABIS CULTIVATION

Worried by the high rate of cannabis cultivation in the country
particularly in the South South geo-political area, the Executive
Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshomole and the
Honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade have strongly advocated for
youth empowerment in the country, as the only option to
end cannabis cultivation and narcotics problem in the state.

This was disclosed at a workshop organised by the anti-narcotics
Agency in Benin City Edo State at the weekend. In which Oshiomhole
identified lack of adequate planning for youths in the country as
one of the factors responsible for the involvement in illicit drug
activities. He noted that "in the past the nation planned for the
youth but in today Nigeria , the situation is not the same. At the
University of Benin some years back, before graduation as a 400
level student, there are various employers of labour as well as
various public authorities coming to conduct interviews in order to
identify potential employees but the situation today has also changed".

Speaking passionately, the people's governor as he is usually
referred to said that the root causes rather than consequences of
illicit drug cultivation, abuse and trafficking should be addressed.
He noted that in time past when students were in school, they had
decent accommodation and even had their beds made for them. This
condition inculcated in them the feeling and mentality of future
managers and potential members of the middle class. Ironically, the
governor lamented that the present condition of living where about
12 students are locked up in a small 'cell' called hostel makes our
students to "graduate angry and hungry against the society".

The honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade
in his welcome address said that the choice of Edo State as the host
of the South South campaign was because the State has the highest
seizure of cannabis in the country. He lamented that illicit drug
activities are not only becoming a threat to the image of the
country but also a danger to our youths who are the future hope of
the country.

According to Giade whose address was presented by the Director
General of the Agency, Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho, "the South South
region is neck-deep in cannabis cultivation and trafficking. The
situation is very bad. In the course of our discreet covert
operations we have uncovered very many illicit cannabis plantations
in the South South than in any other region of the country. We have
equally found to our chagrin that most of the young men and women
being used as labourers on these clandestine farm locations are
school age children".

The NDLEA boss said that "in times past, this region was the envy of
all. I recall with nostalgic feelings the establishment of Afuze
camp where the best sports men and women were produced to fly the
flag of Nigeria in both local and international competitions. It
is also worthy of note that a respected Amazon, professor Grace
Alele Williams, the first female Vice Chancellor ever to be produced
in the country is from this region".

The usual frenzy in the area brought about by the activities of oil
prospecting companies and supporting industries is gradually
disappearing Giade observed. He added that the question on the lips
of many is that, must we then destroy the glorious accomplishments
of this region on the altar of drug cultivation and trafficking? The
simple answer according to him is No. he therefore sounded a note of
warning to drug barons that they will reap the bitter fruit of their
illicit act.

"We are determined more than ever before to smash these cartels. We
are not going to spare anyone hiding under any cover to perpetrate
criminal act. Any attempt to aid and abet or obstruct our
determination to sanitise this geo-political area and the country of
illicit drugs will be vehemently resisted. The Agency will continue
to investigate and trace drug barons to their hideouts. We shall
trace them to their cannabis plantations as we have always done. We
shall also trace them to their secret warehouses and take the battle
to their living rooms. There will be no hiding place for them" Giade warned.

The NDLEA boss also said that the Agency is open to dialogue and
that the workshop is one of such numerous ways of feeling the pulse
of the society concerning their activities. He therefore urged the
participants to feel free to express themselves on the issues that
will be raised. According to Giade, "the workshop is an academic
exercise where we are allowed to make mistakes and effect
corrections so that at the end we would emerge stronger and well
armed for the battle ahead is fierce."