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HoR advocates increase in budgetary provision for NDLEA
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigerian house of representatives has advocated the increase in budgetary provision for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to enable it meet up with the task ahead of it.
The call became obvious when the House of Reps Committee chairman on Drugs and Narcotics Hon. Abass Aboworin Adigun allayed fears that if the agency is not empower to combat drugs offenders headlong, the future of the country will be in jeopardy.
The house Committee on Drugs and Narcotics made the call on Thursday in Abuja during an interacting session with the management of the agency on the way forward for it operation.
Also, the chairman noted that the only way the agency can be properly funded is to move it from the office of the special duty to the presidency where it funds would be coming directly from the presidency, saying it is the only way to improve the fight against drugs abuse.
Meanwhile, he joined his Committee members in commending the good job the agency under the former Lagos State military administrator is doing despite been under funded and urged the leadership of the agency to keep the fire burning pending when the bill to move the agency to presidency is passed by both chambers and forwarded to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for accent.
He added that the house has already passed the bill, and expressed optimism that the red chambers will do same to enable the agency have more bites in the fight against drugs offenders.
According to the committee chairman, “My committee research has shown that we are in trouble in this country because most of the youths that will be the leaders of tomorrow are into drugs, and the worse is that some of the house wives are also into drugs. While their children are out there taking drugs their mothers are doing it right inside the homes which means such families are gone.
“Let it be for the record,the agency NDLEA has not been helped by the federal government of Nigeria. Why do I said so, like I said, I looked into their capital and overhead in 2022, 2023 and 2024 budget, there is nothing to ride home about, compare to other agencies and for that to change, the agency needs to move to the presidency” he said.
Meanwhile, the chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), while addressing the Committee made passionate appeal for the setting up of a special court to enable the agency expedite the process of prosecution and conviction of offenders as at when due.
He noted that as it is at the moment, prosecution of offenders and conviction is delayed because the regular courts are overwhelmed with several cases, as such the call for several adjournment for a case that should ordinarily be decided within three months, but ends up been delayed for years.
“For my agency to expedite action in the process of prosecution and conviction, we need a special court to handle our cases because the regular courts are overwhelmed with other cases as such delaying accelerated hearing on our cases. Of
“A case that ordinarily should ends within six months is been dragged for years because of several adjournment, so we are appealing that a special court is created for the agency to enable it fast tract the process of prosecution and conviction.
Marwa, noted that the task of educating the young ones on the dangers of drug abuse also rest squarely on the politicians. He added that politicians themselves are into drugs, therefore, they need to go back and educate their supporters on the need to stop taking drugs.
For emphasis Marwa said, “Our job at the agency is to make sure we denied people access to drugs.”
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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