Category: Letters

  • Re: Makinde and the Alaafin stool

    Re: Makinde and the Alaafin stool

    SIR: The piece with the above topic The Nation of August 18, written by Kola Amzat made an interesting reading especially because it addresses an issue that has been of concern for a long time. Alaafin stool needs no introduction unless to a layman including those not conversant with Yoruba nay African history and tradition. Alaafin is a foremost traditional ruler in Yoruba land. Alaafin was and remains the arch custodian of Yoruba history and tradition. The stool is an eye through which Yoruba civilization could be seen.

    There is no doubt that all past monarchs including the iconic late Alayeluwa Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III performed brilliantly well in preserving not only the sanctity of the Alaafin stool but the heritage of the Yoruba both at home and the diaspora.

    With all these, I wonder how the reverend stool could be made vacant for this long. Amzat asserted in the piece that the stool has been vacant for almost 17 months whereas the stool of the Soun in Ogbomoso and those of the Olubadan in spite of controversies that trailed the succession process in those towns have been settled.

    My question is what is delaying the selection of a new Alaafin? Rumour making the round previously was that the Oyo Mesi, the Council of State in Oyo collected bribes from the candidate; that it was as a result of this that some respected kingmakers were dragged to the EECC which should have never been.

    In my own view, I believe Ibadan elite have an agenda to cripple the wings of the Alaafin stool by installing an unpopular person as Alaafin of Oyo who unlike Oba Adeyemi III would be a puppet.  Oba Adeyemi III was nettle on the side of many governors of the state. He was an obstacle to the elevation of the Olubadan stool to be primus inter pares in Oyo State. Senator Rashidi Ladoja began the idea when he was the governor but failed. Chief Adebayo Alao Akala of blessed memory was used in his time to execute the agenda by forcing the state House of Assembly to make a law that made the chairmanship position of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs rotational among Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun.

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    Hitherto, the position was the preserve of the Alaafin of Oyo due to his position as the Baba Ogun (the rallying point) of all Obas in Oyo State from whom many descended as children like many Oke Ogun and Ibarapa Obas, through whose influence many got promoted to the Obaship position and being leader of many right from Ile Ife like many classical Obas in Ogbomoso zone. Creation of High Chief Obas in Ibadan is part of the agenda to give Ibadan more say in the council of Obas whenever it is reconstituted to dominate the traditional institution as Ibadan dominated Oyo State for the sake of Ibadan.

    Oyo leaders of opinion and especially the elderly ones in the Alaafin chieftaincy families have their own faults in the failure of Oyo government in appointing an Alaafin all the while. If they are not complicit in the state government ploy, they should have mounted pressure on same to make sure the foremost throne is not desecrated.

    Engineer Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State is a known fighter for just causes even if he is a lone ranger. It is high time he clears air on the reasons why the government is dragging its foot on the installation of a new Alaafin. The position and functions of an Alaafin in Yoruba are strategic to leave throne vacant for this long. Oyo State government has to be proactive in installing an Alaafin and by extension Onikoyi whose stool has also been vacant for a long time.

    •   Adewuyi Adegbite, ayekooto05@gmail.com
  • Economy and the need for urgent action

    Economy and the need for urgent action

    SIR: On Tuesday, August 13, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over a significant Council of State meeting. In attendance were former presidents, vice presidents, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, and several key ministers. The highlight of the meeting was the president’s stance that Nigeria’s democracy must not be undermined. “Any change of government must be through the ballot box not through violence, insurrection, or any other unconstitutional means,” he asserted.

    This is a position that all patriots, fully support.

    However, while the president’s commitment to democracy is commendable, it is crucial that his economic policies reflect the urgency and needs of the people. Nigerians expect the leadership to hit the ground running from day one. Truth is that the nation is in a precarious state, and decisive, people-centred action is required.

    Today, wealth in Nigeria is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a select few, while the majority are left to struggle without access to basic necessities like quality education, healthcare, housing, and employment. It’s not that Nigerians begrudge the success of the rich; rather, they simply want access to the essentials for a decent life. Unfortunately, many ordinary citizens are being deliberately subjected to hardship by leaders driven by greed. Endemic corruption has become the norm, and the promise of equal opportunities seems like a distant dream, despite the blessings of natural resources across the six geopolitical zones.

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    Poverty remains a pervasive issue. Nigeria is a land rich with potential – oil and gas in the south, commerce in the Southeast, fertile land in the North. There is no excuse for hunger or deprivation. The government should prioritize modern farming systems, where a single machine can achieve in an hour what once took a thousand hands. State governors must fully support federal initiatives, but these efforts must go beyond the token gestures like distributing rice, which too often ends up siphoned off by officials or recycled into the market. Nigerians are not beggars; we have the talent and drive to achieve greatness, but we need an enabling environment, affordable fertilizers, and access to reliable electricity.

    The time for excuses is over. The government must adjust to the realities on the ground. The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira have brought unbearable hardship to the common people. These policies need to be revisited. We elected this government to make Nigeria work for everyone, not just the privileged few. A stitch in time saves nine.

    • Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani, Azare, Bauchi State.
  • The other side of hunger protests

    The other side of hunger protests

    • By Sophya Dozie

    Sir: As I watched the protesters march through the streets, their placards screaming for cheaper cannabis, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Haven’t we been here before? Haven’t we seen the devastating effects of this so-called “harmless” substance?

    The numbers are staggering. Fourteen million Nigerians trapped in the grip of drug abuse, with countless more lives destroyed by its insidious effects. And yet, we still pretend that cannabis is a victimless crime. We still pretend that it’s just a harmless herb, a recreational indulgence with no consequences. But the truth is far more sinister. Cannabis is a silent killer, a gradual destroyer of dreams and futures. It’s a substance that creeps up on you, slowly but surely, until it’s too late. And once it’s got you in its grip, it’s almost impossible to escape.

    I’ve seen it first-hand – the broken families, the shattered lives and the lost potential. I’ve spoken to the parents who’ve lost their children to cannabis, the spouses who’ve lost their partners, the friends who’ve lost their friends. And I’ve seen the devastating effects it has on our communities – the increased crime, the decreased productivity, the erosion of our social fabric.

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    So, what do we do? Do we give in to their demands, or do we stand firm? Do we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our citizens, or do we succumb to the pressure of the cannabis lobby?

    The answer is clear. We must stand firm. We must say no to cannabis, and yes to life. We must recognize the devastating effects of this substance, and we must take action. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been working tirelessly to reduce cannabis production nationwide, and their efforts are paying off. Cannabis production has dropped by 20% in the past year alone. However, the scarcity has driven desperate users to take to the streets, highlighting the depth of the addiction crisis. We must not be swayed by their demands. Cannabis is a destructive force, tearing families apart and ruining lives.

    We need to invest in education and rehabilitation, to help those trapped in addiction. We need to support our law enforcement agencies, to help them stem the tide of cannabis flowing into our communities. And we need to have a national conversation, to raise awareness about the dangers of cannabis and the devastating effects it has on our society.

    • Sophya Dozie,

     Nnewi, Anambra State.

  • Nigerians and their travails

    Nigerians and their travails

    • By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu

    Sir: Many Nigerians have got to their wits’ end.  The storms and the crises being faced by the masses have forced many to take recourse to ancestors, deities, and fetish priests/priestesses. Due to the fact that we are at our breaking point, losing our confidence; there’s need to restore morality and reintroduce sanctity in the society. So many are of the view that the problem of Africa, even Nigeria, is religion which was brought to us by the white man in his quest for colonialism. They cite countries like Japan, China, Switzerland, and other European countries who has given up on religion yet they are prosperous.

    Ignorantly, these people fail to understand that America and Europe operate on core moral values which hinges on honesty, sincerity, hardwork, respect for others and transparency.  Many journals discussed the impacts of moral decadence on the socio-economic aspects of life. Still, many Nigerians are not willing to change or develop a character. Sadly, there’s no model in leadership in Nigeria. We lack pacesetters and examplary leaders. And that’s why whoever comes to leadership becomes more wicked than his predecessors.

    Leadership positions in Nigeria reflects the majority of the citizens and mirrors the life of the general populace. Corruption, a manifestation of moral decay has become the norm in Nigeria’s political landscape. Leaders entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people, indulge in embezzlement, nepotism and cronyism, leaving the masses to suffer. Kidnappers, bandits and criminals in Nigeria display their trade, ill-gotten wealth in an online videos. Social vices such as bribery, fraud and violence are common and perpetrators go unpunished. The consequence is a society where right and wrong are blurred, and the rule of law is disregarded.

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    The prevalence of corruption and fraud has discouraged foreign investment, stifled economic growth and perpetuated poverty. The education system meant to instill moral principles, has been compromised, and the family unit once the bedrock of moral instructions, has been weakened. The judiciary lack moral compass and the leaders do not embrace the moral fibre imbued in their consciences. Majority of the citizens are hurt because of the crazy and cruel things done by the leaders or those in sensitive posts/offices.

    Morality would surely help to keep the society as the dwelling of sane people, assist in the maintenance of law and order, prevent bloodshed, cruelty and wickedness. The 18th century preacher, Charles Spurgeon illustrated that morality would keep people out of jail.

    Some leaders have advocated for working out a system of morals, ethics and religion that would bring together all the religions of the world just to maintain peace but it’s seemingly impossible.  Our world and the systems of government is old, repaired, patched up and made over. Nigerian leaders or those who found themselves in exalted positions lack self awareness. No man is more pathetic than he who is in great need and is not aware of it. Anyone who lacks morality in any given society is shriveled and deprived. There’s always something pathetic about a man who thinks he is rich when he is actually poor, who thinks he is good when he is actually vile, who thinks he is educated when he is actually illiterate. Lacking morality amongst leaders in Nigeria is like a man who is so sick as he who has a fatal disease and is not aware of it.

    •Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu,

    Awgbu, Anambra State.

  • Anambra’s 45 days’ notice for LG poll

    Anambra’s 45 days’ notice for LG poll

    • By Franklin Ebuka

    Sir: The Saturday, September 28, date announced by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, for the conduct of local government election in the state has become a subject of controversy. The controversy stems from the questions on the legality, propriety and tenability of the 45 days’ notice for the election. Apart from the concerns on the shortness of the notice for the election, there is a question on the consistency of the amendment made to the Anambra Electoral Law 2024, which slashed the notice period for local government elections from 60 days to just 30 days, with the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

    While the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), sees nothing wrong with it, the opposition parties and some concerned citizens saw the 45 days’ notice for the election as short of fair. To them, the short notice was designed to exploit the opposition. House of Representatives member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra, Afam Ogene, expressed dissatisfaction over what he called a “hasty” amendment of the Anambra State Electoral Law by the Anambra State House of Assembly. According to Ogene, the move was a promotion of undemocratic tactics, aimed at frustrating and politically ambushing opposition parties in the state.

     Other than the 1999 constitution, it is the Electoral Act, 2022 Electoral Act (as amended) that deals with heavily with the modus operandi for conduct of elections. The 1999 Constitution is silent on the minimum timeframe requirement for issuance of notice for the conduct of local government elections. The 1999 constitution is only explicit on the timeframe for the conduct of National Assembly, Governorship election, state Assembly and presidential elections, stating that election to such offices should not be held on a date not earlier than 60 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.

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    The amendment made by the Anambra state House of Assembly, which slashed the notice period for local government elections from 60 days to just 30 days is apparently in a clash with a certain provision of the 1999 constitution and could be leveraged to question the validity of the local government election being planned by the ANSIEC. While the state House of Assembly is conferred with the power to make laws for the organization of local government election through SIEC or organize and undertake all elections to local Government councils, it does not operate in isolation, and those laws are not expected to be inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 constitution. Section 4(5) of the 1999 constitution is clear on this. It states: “If any Law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other Law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.  Since certain provisions of the ANSIEC amendment law are in contrast with the Electoral Act 2022 enacted by the National Assembly, can the local government election ANSIEC is about to conduct stand the test of legal proceedings?

    Though one could argue that Clause 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 references INEC and not SIEC, the basic question remains if the state electoral body operates under different constitution. Moreover, the legislative powers to make electoral laws to govern the local governments are vested in the federal and state governments.

    This is therefore a call on the ANSIEC to take a critical look at the steps it has taken so far and ensure that they are not in violation of any known law, which could question the validity of the election the commission is about to conduct.

    •Franklin Ebuka,

    <ebukafranklin@yahoo.com>

  • Nigeria and her enemies

    Nigeria and her enemies

    • By Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar

    Sir: In his classic book titled, “Misrepresentation of Nigeria: The Facts and Figures, late Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman exposed many lies repeatedly told about our country. According to him, the campaign of calumny against the Federal Republic of Nigeria was meant to undermine our confidence as citizens.

    The enemies of Nigeria both internal and external, are hell-bent on making our country destabilized, a banana republic.

    The agents of destabilization premise their attack on nation-building challenges to ridicule the country.

    These people can use even economic challenges such as inflation to create chaos in order to achieve their satanic agenda.

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    I challenge anyone to show me one country on this planet that is not facing one kind of challenge or another. Some of the developed countries we always admire today, they passed through furnace before attaining their present enviable position.

    How many years did it take Britain from 11th century to the time it attained industrial revolution? Before industrial revolution, what was the structure of the English society? What challenges did they conquer?

     There are elites who are peddling the narrative that Rome was built in a day.  The same narrative implies that violence and war are the only two languages the government understand.

    But no matter the intimidation and blackmail against us, we must never waver in our commitment to telling the bitter truth. We must continue to seek truth in order to counteract the violence advocates. We must be vigilant in defending our country. We must prove Ambassador John Campbell and all those wishing bad thing for Nigeria wrong.

    •Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,

     Unguwa Katsina.

  • On women participation in the tech ecosystem

    On women participation in the tech ecosystem

    • By Shuaib S. Agaka

    Sir: A report by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) indicated gender disparity in favour of males’ participation in Nigeria’s digital economy. This is a big problem that needs quick action. This difference doesn’t just limit chances for women; it also holds back the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy. Fixing this imbalance isn’t just about fairness – it’s a must-do for economic growth.

    Women make up just a small part of the tech workforce. For example, a National Bureau of Statistics report finds that women account for below 20% of tech jobs in Nigeria. This number falls well below the worldwide average where more women are joining the tech field. These facts highlight the need to take action to fix this imbalance and make sure women have the same chances to add value to the digital economy.

    Studies show that companies with mixed teams are more likely to come up with innovative products and services. By getting more women into Nigeria’s tech field, the country can tap into a broader set of ideas and methods leading to more useful and cutting-edge tech breakthroughs.

    Several obstacles make it hard for women to join Nigeria’s digital economy. One of the major issues is that many women lack access to good quality education and training in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Many girls run into social and cultural roadblocks that stop them from choosing tech careers.

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    Also, gender bias and stereotypes can scare women away from entering the tech industry or moving up in their jobs. Not having enough chances to network and get support makes these problems worse, which means women struggle to succeed in tech. To fix these issues, we need a complete plan that includes changes in education, helpful policies, and community projects.

    Moreover, boosting funding and resources for start-ups and tech projects led by women is crucial to encouraging female involvement in the digital economy. This includes giving grants, investment chances, and support to develop businesses for women entrepreneurs. By setting up a more supportive money environment, Nigeria can push more women to launch their tech ventures and help grow the industry. Also, programmes that offer chances to network and get mentorship can help women tackle the hurdles of running a business and building successful companies.

    Looking ahead, a more inclusive and equitable digital economy can help Nigeria grow and innovate. By bridging the gender gap and giving women the opportunity to participate in the tech world, Nigeria can become a leader in the global digital landscape.

    •Shuaib S. Agaka,

    Kano.

  • How not to end ‘bad governance’ in a democracy

    How not to end ‘bad governance’ in a democracy

    • By ESV. Olufemi Adedamola Oyedele

    Sir: There is no doubt that there is hardship in the land which did not just start last year. Hardship has been a constant decimal in Nigeria since the military coup of 1966.

    In Kano State, the #EndBadGovernance protest, which started on August 1, resulted in the killing of many protesters allegedly by security operatives. During the protest in Kano, hoodlums attacked, damaged and looted public and private properties including the newly constructed Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park, part of which was also set ablaze. The Police Command in Kano said about 269 suspects have been arrested for their roles in the looting, damaging and torching of public properties.

    In Bauchi Road, Jos North, Plateau State, one person was killed after some youths attacked businesses with the intention to loot and injure the shop owners. In Rivers State, the protesters stormed the residence of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, along Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, forcing motorists to carry leaves in their support. They also forced traders to close shop. Economists and financial experts had predicted that not less than N300 billion will be lost to the “riots” if allowed to last for 10 days.

    The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Chapter 2, Section 14, provides that: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.” It is incivility for anybody or a group of people in a country to think of ending a bad government through protest, riot or war. “End bad governance” is not the right theme to protest about bad governance. “

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    Though “Good Governance” is defined as the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law, it is also relative and cultural. While there is no internationally agreed definition of ‘good governance’, generally it covers such aspects of human life as: full respect for human rights, the rule of law, effective participation, multi-actor partnerships, political pluralism, transparent and accountable processes and institutions, an efficient and effective public sector, legitimacy, access to knowledge, information and education, political empowerment of people, equity, sustainability, and attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and tolerance. According to the United Nations Organisation (UNO), good governance is measured by the eight factors of Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus Oriented, Equity and Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Accountability. A good leader who wants to practice good governance must ensure that the government is participatory and that there is enforcement of laws to ensure peace, fairness and justice.

    Where there is no good governance or where some people (either all, majority or minority) feel governance is bad, the only option they have is to protest and not to riot based on the provision of Section 40 of the 1999 constitution, which provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons and he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests”. The only restriction on and derogation from peaceful assembly of people is in section 45 of the constitution. Section 45 of the 1999 constitution states that: (1) Nothing in section 40 of this constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order (peaceful co-existence), public morality or public health of the people of Nigeria.

    •ESV. Olufemi Adedamola Oyedele,

    Lagos.

  • Food scarcity and soilless farming: The Ogun example

    Food scarcity and soilless farming: The Ogun example

    • By Elijah Udofia

    Sir: So much has been said and written about youths in Nigeria. While some described them as layabouts, some see them as highly intelligent who can complete favourable with youths from other parts of the world.

    While people are shouting about hunger and scarcity of food in the country, a young man in Ogun State, Sam Ogbole, has shown that given a chance and the right support, Nigerians youths can feed the nation.

    In the remote part of Awowo village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Ogbole has succeeded in transforming that sleepy village to a farm settlement that has attracted youths from over 28 states of the federation including youths from the republics of Cameroon and Togo to live and study modern methods of farming.

    The settlement which can be called a town on its own, boasts of a health centre, recreational and worship centres, residential quarters and a host of other facilities plus its own source of water supply. The unique thing about the farm is that different fruits and vegetables are cultivated there.

    In the farm one can get fresh cucumber, green, red and yellow pepper, tomatoes, lettuce and garbage as well as fruits like pawpaw, pineapples, among others. The crops are planted to meet international specification for export as well as local consumption.

    The Ogbole-pioneered soilless farm, which started with work-and-learn program in September 2000, currently has over 10,000 beneficiaries.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun despite his tight schedules found time to visit the farm to see things for himself. The governor who was spell-bound with what he saw at the farm took time to personally harvest some of the crops himself and thereafter announced that similar farms would be replicated in all the 20 local government areas of the state.

    With  the current scarcity of food in the country, the governor is of the view that the situation would be salvaged if soilless farming is encouraged.

    In a country where issue of land has always generated concern, the adoption of soilless farming will eliminate this as little land is needed to engage in cultivation. It also reduces the exertion that the African traditional farming entails. This is because technology is used therefore the issue of depleting energy is almost non-existing.

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    In China, it is said that most of the electronic gadgets we use in Nigeria are manufactured by the young people of that country. If they can do it, I strongly believe that Nigerian youths can also do it.

    When we look at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) today, our youths are doing wonderfully well. Even the creativity of the so-called “yahoo boys” can be redirected to positive use after all it is only a tech-savvy individual that can manipulate the internet to swindle. Therefore the negativity can be turn to positivity.

    Furthermore, soilless farming can be the saving grace for Nigeria to address food sufficiency as it does not need experts in agriculture to learn the techniques required to go into it.

    Here is calling on well-meaning Nigerians to partner with the Soilless Farm Laboratory at Awowo village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State to support the over 1000 youths who are currently undergoing a three months training programme at the farm settlement. These youths are from 28 states out of 36 states of the federation. If these youths are engaged in the 28 states to cultivate crops using the soilless farming techniques, the multiple effects will be overwhelming and the issue of food shortage in the country will be a thing of the past.

    •Elijah Udofia,

    Laderin, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

  • NDLEA and the protest against scarcity of cannabis

    NDLEA and the protest against scarcity of cannabis

    • By Kalthum Alhassan

    Sir: A few days ago, in the thick of the protests that swept across most states in Nigeria, it was shocking to see a protester bearing a placard with the message, “Cana Price Too High.”

     The protest was dubbed #EndBadGovernance and was organised to vent public displeasure against the increased rate of inflation, poverty, hunger and the perennial insecurity plaguing the country.  How did “Cana” come into the picture?

    “Cana” is a street name for cannabis or marijuana, a widely used illicit drug.  A bit of background will help to place the placard’s message in proper perspective.

    The abuse of cannabis is one of the factors driving Nigeria’s high drug use prevalence, which was estimated to be 14.4 per cent in 2018 according to an NBC/UNODC survey.

     One of the embarrassing findings of the National Drug Use and Health Survey of 2018 was the fact that 10.6 million Nigerians abused cannabis, thereby making us the country with one of the highest abusers of the psychoactive plant. Worse still, cannabis cultivation has gained ground across many states in the country, including Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Delta, Ogun and Edo.

     Over two generations, smoking cannabis became so entrenched in our society that young people considered it fashionable to smoke weed openly and in videos.

    That placard was a stark reminder of the need for society to ensure that cannabis use and its cultivation are eradicated in Nigeria.

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    The other latent message from that placard is that cannabis users are beginning to feel the heat of the efforts to curb the availability of “weed” by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. No doubt, operatives of the anti-narcotic agency have stepped up their raids on cannabis farms across the states in the past three years.

    The relentless efforts of NDLEA have led to seizures and destruction of large quantities of cannabis consignments across the country. The implication is an effective disruption in the supply chain, which makes it difficult for cannabis to get to the users. That has inevitably led to scarcity and a spike in the price of the substance in the illicit drug market.

    However, we must not be deceived that the anti-narcotic agency can salvage the situation alone. I recommend we all join hands together to fight this scourge, from the government down to the family. We can only win the war against illicit drugs by working together and in close collaboration with NDLEA.

    •Kalthum Alhassan,

    Kano.