Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna state is copying his counterpart of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the fight against drug abuse, according to the Commander, Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ibrahim Abdul.
Speaking during a destruction exercise of illicit and counterfeit drugs worth over N380 Million, which took place at NDLEA office along Airport road on Tuesday by the governor, Abdul noted that Ganduje’s strategy is worth copying.
According to the Commander, for a long time he came to know that it was only Ganduje that had a Special Adviser on the Fight Against Drug Abuse, but latet learned that El-Rufa’i had copied the Kano Governor in the appointment of SA on drug abuse.
In a statement by Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar on Tuesday, the Commander explained that “Ganduje’s style and strategy in fighting against drug abuse, is commendable and worth copying because of the fruitful results the state is witnessing.
“When governor Ganduje assumed the mantle of leadership, Kano was the first in the list of states with drug abuse. But because of what the governor has been doing to safeguard his state, Kano is now the 6th state in the list. This is highly commendable by all standard,” he appreciated.
In his remarks, Ganduje said his administration attached importance to the fight against drug abuse, saying “that is why i directed that all political appointees must go through drug test. All my Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Advisers, Heads of Agencies, among others, were tested. NDLEA is here to testify that.”
“Because we are determined in this fight, that is why we said we must institutionalise the effort. A Bill is before the State Assembly on Drug Administration Agency. We want to have strong institution for that. But then we are not usurping the responsibilities of other federal agencies saddled with this responsibility.
“We are only complimenting their efforts. That is why, when established, the Agency would work hand in hand with the federal agencies to achieve drug-free society,” Ganduje was quoted in the statement.
While calling on all the agencies responsible for the fight against drug abuse to partner with each other, Ganduje noted that working together as a team is necessary for the success of the effort.
“All security agencies should also work closely with other agencies to see that we achieve this in our state and the nation in general.”
Ganduje however warned drug sellers to relocate from Sabon Gari to the newly established Dangwauro World Market, that is under construction, adding that the place had satisfied the federal government policy on open market for drugs.
He further warned that he would not take any complaint on trivialities, adding that whoever has any complaint should come to his office and report.
By Mustapha Adamu,
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