NEWS
FG Moves Against Underage Drug Abuse
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The Nigerian Government would be taking resolute steps to deal with the plague of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the young and vulnerable.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investments, Maryam Uwais, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ workshop to kick-off the initiative.
According to her the Buhari administration would be tackling the matter strongly through the At-Risk-Children Programme (ARC-C), an initiative of the Presidency, which would be implemented by the office of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Uwais, who is also the National Lead of the ARC-P, lamented the spate of substance abuse among young people across the country.
This, she pointed out has led to FG to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the UN Office on Drugs & Crime and other relevant stakeholders, for every necessary intervention to discourage the evil habit.
She disclosed that with the support of the NDLEA, the ARC-P has created a National desk, which would be working with the state offices of the programme to create awareness among young people on the many dangers of substance abuse while putting in place support structures to assist and rehabilitate those addicted already.
In her words, “I should mention that substance abuse is like the elephant in the room in efforts to tackle the vulnerabilities associated with youth.
“We find too many young people, including women indulging in this unacceptable behavior even in our rural communities.
“Those who cannot afford the expensive heroine and cocaine quickly go for cheaper alternatives that are readily available. Interestingly, in the ARC-P, we have a very senior, experienced and vibrant official from the NDLEA, who has been accompanying us to engage youths already using illicit drugs, with a view to dissuading them from the unwholesome practice by providing them with viable alternatives in the form of skills acquisition to enable them become productive.”
READ ALSO: NDLEA Adopts New Strategy on War Against Drug Abuse
Her presentation at the event was on the roadmap and objectives of ARC-P, which focused on seven pillars strategically designed to empower the beneficiaries with basic education and life skills that would help them productively engage and take ownership of their lives.
On her part, wife of the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Amina Bello, expressed appreciation President Buhari’s efforts in setting up the ARC-P initiative, which hope would help address the plight of out-of-school children and vulnerable youth in the state.
According to her, the state was already taking steps in the direction the ARC-P, while being open to innovative ideas and so
The Federal Government has announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of a sweeping reform aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting indigenous industries.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.
According to the minister, the adoption of Adire is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry by ensuring government spending supports local manufacturers.
ALSO READ: FG Approves Biggest NYSC Overhaul in 53 Years, Introduces Civilian Leadership, New Uniform
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.
The minister also revealed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would see corps members posted based on their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds.
Under the new arrangement, graduates with education-related qualifications will be deployed to schools, while others will be assigned to sectors that align with their areas of study to improve productivity and national development.
Addressing security concerns, Olawande said the Federal Government is considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges.
He noted that the move would reduce concerns among parents and corps members while making deployments more practical.
He further dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception.
According to him, while the scheme’s operational leadership will become civilian-led, the military will continue to play a key role in providing security and supporting the orientation programme.
The reforms follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old NYSC scheme.
As part of the process, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to facilitate the implementation of the reforms.
The Federal Government said the changes are designed to transform the NYSC into a skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth empowerment institution that supports its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Nigeria has secured a fresh $1.25 billion financing package from the World Bank to support ongoing economic reforms, boost private sector investment and create more jobs across the country.
The funding was approved under the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (NAIJA) programme and forms part of the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, which will run from 2026 to 2032.
According to the World Bank, the financing is designed to help Nigeria remove barriers to private investment, improve the business environment and lay the foundation for faster, more inclusive economic growth.
The programme will support reforms across critical sectors, including the capital market, digital economy, power sector, agriculture, trade liberalisation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as domestic revenue mobilisation.
The global financial institution said the initiative is expected to expand electricity access to about 32 million Nigerians, provide broadband connectivity for 58 million people, improve health and nutrition services for 40 million citizens, and support approximately 9.5 million farmers.
The World Bank added that its six-year Country Partnership Framework is focused on mobilising private capital, strengthening economic resilience and creating productive jobs while supporting investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, human capital and agricultural productivity.
Speaking on the approval, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the framework builds on Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic reforms, which have contributed to stronger economic growth, improved public revenues and renewed investor confidence.
He stressed that sustaining the reform agenda would be crucial to unlocking the country’s full economic potential and creating more opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
The latest financing package is expected to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate economic reforms, attract investment and promote long-term, private sector-led growth.
Security operatives at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, have successfully repelled another attack by suspected gunmen, killing one of the assailants during a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday when the armed men reportedly attempted to breach the institute’s security perimeter.
However, security personnel swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a gun battle that forced them to retreat.
SEE ALSO: Gunmen Kill Ex-Ogun State Broadcaster, Security Guard in Early Morning Attack
In a statement issued on Thursday by the institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Osime Samuel, NIPSS confirmed that one of the suspected attackers was neutralised, while several others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
The institute said the attackers failed to gain access to its premises, assuring that participants of the Senior Executive Course, staff, residents, and facilities remained safe throughout the incident.
According to the statement, security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects while strengthening surveillance and other proactive security measures within and around the institution.
NIPSS reaffirmed that the safety of lives and property remains its top priority and commended the prompt response and professionalism displayed by security operatives during the attack.
The institute also urged members of the public to disregard misinformation capable of causing unnecessary panic.
The latest assault comes just weeks after another failed attempt by gunmen to infiltrate the prestigious policy institute, raising fresh concerns over recurring security threats in the area.
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