By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Former Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari has expressed worry over the increasing use of hard drugs in his north-west state of Katsina, calling for the problem to be confronted and defeated for the present and future generations.
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it safeguards its people. Our youths represent our valued asset and protecting their wellbeing is crucial for our nation’s future. We can’t afford to watch as drug abuse dismantle their potentials and the country’s future. I urge all of us to unite and act decisively against drug abuse in the state,” Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as a military leader and later as democratically elected President said on Sunday.
He spoke as the Special Guest of honour at the maiden edition of the annual Katsina dialogue organised by the Katsina Consultative Forum, held at the Presidential Banquet Hall of the Katsina Government House.
He urged leaders to take other measures including providing employment for the youth in order to fight poverty and idleness, promising to offer support and commitment.
On his part, the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Hon. Farouk Lawal Jobe, promised government’s commitment towards fighting the menace of drugs abuse in the state by providing logistics support to the anti-drug agency, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He said the state is equipped with structures on ground including the newly commissioned Security Watch Corps, the Hisbah board, Council of Ulama as well as the chieftaincy affairs that could be utilized in the fight against the menace.
“We can have an operational committee, comprising all these bodies and security agencies, so that we can come together and address these issues,” he said.
