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Marwa: 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years in jail

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Michael Olugbode: SAfER: Oyo Govt set to disburse N340m loan support to additional 1,227 farmers As part of efforts to mitigate the economic hardship being experienced by residents of the state, the Oyo State Government under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative, is set to disburse a total of N340,270,000 to another set of 1,227 beneficiaries across the state. The disbursement, which is to be done through Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo state, (ACCOS), is the fourth batch of loan disbursement under the SAfER Agric Support Initiative. Chairman, Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS), Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold stated this on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Briefing Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He hinted that the fourth batch of the loan disbursement would commence on Friday 9th of February, 2024 across the seven geopolitical zones of the state through the participating Microfinance Banks. Applauding Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for his innovative vision, the ACCOS chairman explained that the Oyo State Government had earlier distributed N418,850,000 to about 1,407 legitimate farmers, who benefited under the SAfER intervention programme. He added that the soft loan is strictly for farmers who lack the capacity to access credit from financial institutions due to stringent conditions, noting that this has culminated in the government providing SAfER loan support to improve their farm businesses and improve food production and also sustain the economic recovery of the state. He assured farmers who were unable to benefit from the previous batches that they would be considered once they meet the necessary requirements, imploring fresh graduates, especially those trained by the state government under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Programme (YEAP), to apply for the loan. He equally disclosed that the state will soon begin the GSM FOOD BANK under the corporation, which will procure, preserve and store farm produces during the harvesting period and sell to the public during the off-seasons. Akeugbagold admonished the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the loan support and ensure that they repay the loan as and when due for others to benefit. He said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that disbursement has taken place and is still ongoing as quite a number of farmers have benefited and some will still benefit under the intervention programme. “Governor Makinde is fully aware that the small holders farmers bear the burden of feeding the teeming population and they account for about 90 per cent of the farmers population, most of whom lack capacity to access credit from financial institutions due to stringent conditions. “Upon this realisation, the government came up with the SAfER Agric Support Loan that can be accessed by farmers with a view to improving their farms. “With reference to our categorisation of the state into seven (7) major zones, Ibadan Zone I, which is supervised by the Bank of Agriculture, Ibadan has disbursed N156.7 million to a total number 547 beneficiaries, while Ibadan Zone II undertaken by Onibuore Microfinance Bank has disbursed the sum of N118.9 million to 401 beneficiaries. “In Oyo Zone undertaken by the Bank of Agriculture, Oyo, a total number of 171 beneficiaries have collected the sum of N50.7 million while Ogbomoso Zone handled by Randalpha Microfinance Bank disbursed the sum of N29.2 million to 84 beneficiaries. “Also, Oke Ogun Zone II handled by Ifedapo Microfinance Bank, Saki, disbursed a total sum of N26.3 million to 79 beneficiaries while Oke Ogun Zone 2 supervised by Bank of Agriculture, Iseyin disbursed the sum of N30.8 million to 110 beneficiaries and Ibarapa Zone undertaken by Igboora Microfinance Bank disbursed the sum of N4.5m to 15 beneficiaries. “This makes the total sum of N416,850,000 disbursed to 1,407 farmers. “As stated earlier the programme is still ongoing and the 4th batch has already been considered and the fund shall be disbursed across the various zones by Friday, 9th February, 2024. “In this 4th batch, the breakdown is as follows; Ibadan Zone I to be undertaken by Bank of Agriculture, Ibadan; N75.9 million for 269 beneficiaries; Ibadan Zone II to be handled by Onibuore Microfinance Bank, N132.2 million for 474 beneficiaries; Oyo Zone to be handled by the Bank of Agriculture, N24.50m for 87 beneficiaries. “In Oke-Ogun Zone II, Ifedapo Microfinance Bank will disburse N26.2 million to 93 beneficiaries, while Oke-Ogun Zone II to be handled by Bank of Agriculture, Iseyin will disburse N13.4 to 53 beneficiaries. “In Ogbomoso, Randalpha Microfinance Bank will disburse N44.2 million to 159 beneficiaries, while in Ibarapa Zone, Igboora Microfinance Bank will disburse N23.6 million to 92 beneficiaries. “Invariably, N340.2 million shall be disbursed to 1,227 beneficiaries across the state, starting tomorrow 9th February, 2024,” he concluded. Earlier in his welcome address, the General Manager, ACCOS, Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran, also lauded Governor Makinde over the loan support, stating that the loan attracts a low interest of 8 per cent, a development he said would fast-track agricultural development in the state.

… Rewards 104 personnel, 13 Commands for outstanding performances

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders that were successfully prosecuted and convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively.

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Marwa disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing commanders, officers and men of the agency during an awards and commendations ceremony.

A total of 104 personnel and 13 commands were recognized and rewarded for their outstanding performances in the 2nd half of 2023

Marwa said: “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always be better; nonetheless, we must appreciate every effort made to help sustain the momentum of our upward trajectory since January 2021, when we launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.”

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Ho noted that: “According to our statistics, we recorded 13, 664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1, 606, 799.09 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5, 570 offenders charged to court in 2023. It’s indeed a year that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively. That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022. Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations.”

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The NDLEA boss also explained that to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse aimed at prevention and encourage those already in it to seek treatment, the Agency intensified its war against drug abuse (WADA) advocacy initiative nationwide.

“The frequency and intensity of our advocacy throughout the year improved considerably. Zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating WADA advocacy. As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others. A breakdown of the WADA lectures held in 2023 shows: 807 in Primary/Secondary Schools; 146 in Tertiary Institutions; 488 for out of school children; 264 in worship centres; 140 in military/paramilitary organisations; 90 in other work places, among others. Just as well, our commands and formations have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug users.”

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He said those who have been in the agency longer than 2021 can attest to the fact that the past three years have brought different dynamics to the operations and performance of the agency, a development that has attracted commendations from home and abroad.

He added that: “This is further reinforced by the content of a letter two weeks ago from the National Assembly conveying the decision of the national parliament to ‘commend the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.’

He said this recognition by both Chambers of the National Assembly should serve as a further morale booster and “a reminder that your efforts are not going unnoticed.”

“I must also say that the NDLEA management has no misgivings about instituting the Commands Awards and Commendations. This twice-a-year event, though a reward system, serves as an inward-looking glass for critical self-analysis and therefore a mechanism that puts the agency on its toes. Each time we gather here to honour exemplary officers and commands, we are making a loud statement that we value meritocracy and that hard work is a virtue we hold in high esteem. We are trying to normalise good performance”, he added.

He however assured that he will not relent in his effort to improve the welfare of the NDLEA workforce, stating that: “All the issues we are working on will soon come to fruition in a matter of time. For instance, we fought hard to have an amended NDLEA Act last year. Today, the bill is at the 10th National Assembly receiving due attention, and we are optimistic that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I am also pleased to inform you that our barracks projects have recorded progress. Before the middle of the year, some of our barracks will be ready for commissioning.

These few examples of the efforts going on behind the scenes are evidence that we are working in your best interest.”

Marwa warned that the agency will be firm on disciplinary issues. “We don’t take infractions lightly. Every officer of NDLEA is expected to work within the ambit of our core values and strictly adhere to our standard operating procedure. We expect our officers to be the epitome of service, selflessness and sacrifice.”

He expressed appreciation to individuals and institutions that have contributed to the success of the agency. He said: “As an institution, we thank the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, for being helpful partners on this journey. We appreciate the support of our other international partners from the US, UK, France, Germany, and India among others.

“We also appreciate sister agencies and security organisations, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NAFDAC, NYSC and FRSC, for the synergy that makes our job easy. Our profound gratitude also goes to the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Importantly, we thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his encouragement and immense support to NDLEA.”

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