Drug Abuse: Reps’ Member, Adigun ‘Agboworin’ Advocates Establishment Of Govt-Owned Rehabilitation Centres
Lawmaker Representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Abass Adigun-Agboworin has advocated the establishment of government owned rehabilitation centres for victims of drug abuse across the country.
Hon. Adigun-Agboworin made the call in Ibadan at a sensitisation programme on the war against drug abuse organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The Federal Lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs said, the establishment of government-owned rehabilitation Centres in all the regions in the country was key to effectively wage war against drug abuse.
He noted that the rate of drug abuse and trafficking in the country was alarming and concerted efforts must be taken by all stakeholders to urgently address the menace, hence the sensitisation programme which he facilitated.
Hon. Adigun-Agboworin also called for increased budgetary allocation for the NDLEA to enable the agency to optimally carry out its responsibilities.
The Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency Lawmaker stressed that the NDLEA was being under-funded and had left them incapacitated to carry out their duties effectively.
He said for instance, in the 2025 budget, about 3 million naira was allocated to the agency, compared to the about 10 million naira allocated to the Department of State Service, DSS.
Hon. Abass Adigun-Agboworin said since he became the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, he has continued to champion the war against drug abuse on the floor of the House, as well as, through various advocacy programmes.
In a goodwill message, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, represented by the Assistant Commandant General, Narcotics, ACGN, Maureen Afolabi, urged governments and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the agency at counselling Nigerians, particularly the youths on the dire consequences of drug abuse and trafficking.
In a remark, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal said, the State Government had put mechanisms in place to deal decisively with anyone who indulges in the abuse of drugs.
The Governor commended the NDLEA, Oyo State Command for the giant strides in fighting the abuse of drugs and harmful substances in the state.
Highlight of the programme was the presentation of awards to Champions of the war against drug abuse including Governor Seyi Makinde, Wife of the former Governor of the State, Dr Florence Ajimobi, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Mr Abass Adigun-Agboworin and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Alhaji Ahmed Raji.
