News
Drug reduces lifespan, Obasanjo warns youths
By Francesca Hangeior
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, begged African youths to stay away from drugs, describing substance abuse as very destructive.
Obasanjo said drug abuse could cut short the life of anyone indulging in the unwholesome practice.
He lamented the growing challenge of drugs and substance abuse in sub-Sharan Africa, urging the youths having challenges with drug abuse to speak out and seek help to be delivered from the consequences which include untimely death.
“Against the notion that African was only being used as a transit for drugs coming from Latin America, consumption of drugs too in Africa is an issue and it has grown the more in the last 10 years, even getting worse,” he stated.
The former President spoke on Saturday at the 2nd edition of Fly Above The High sensitisation programme on drugs abuse which was organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network, at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo said, “While serving as the Chairman of West African Drug Commission under the auspices of Kofi Anan Foundation. We were nine on the commission.
“We went around West Africa on the belief that we were free from drugs which come mainly from Latin America and go to North America and Europe
“But to our dismay, displeasure, and pain, at the end of the exercise, we found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way. That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa.”
Obasanjo lamented the havoc drug abuse was wrecking in the life of the youth, pleading with them never to succumb to the temptation of going near it for any reason.
The former president said he always talked about drugs with all soberness, recounting that there was a time when one of his cousins, who got involved in drugs died a drug-related death, despite doing everything possible to rehabilitate him and make him live a normal life.
“Addiction is a form of disease, some diseases cannot be cured but can be managed. I have been living with diabetes for over 40 years and I am still here by the grace of God.
The former President equally called on the people to support those who had gone into drugs and were willing to come out of it, adding that saying a word of prayer for them too could prove to be the turning point.
Speaking at the event, the President of Recovery Advocacy Network, Dr Kunle Adesina, said the need for the sensitisation was to step up the campaign against drug and substance abuse.
A mental health expert, Dr Sam Abah, who spoke on “Rewired for Dependency: How Drug Use Affect The Brain,” urged the youth to stay away from drugs, noting that drug addiction destroyed the brains.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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