Author: Christian Ogbonnaya

Empowerment

By Christian Ogbonna

Abakaliki, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) has empowered over 133 less-privileged women and widows of fallen police officers in Ebonyi with working tools as part of efforts to make them self-reliant.

Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, POWA National President and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, distributed the items to the beneficiaries during a two-day working visit to the state on Thursday.

Some of the items presented to the widows included hair dryers, skyrun freezers, sewing machines, grinding machines, bags of rice, among others.

Mrs Egbetokun noted that the empowerment was commitments to provide necessary tools to enable them thrive amid some of their difficulties.

“The welfare of police officers’ wives will continue to be paramount to POWA. I urge them to make good use of the items given to them and to be able to support their families,” She advised.

Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi thanked the POWA President for uplifting the police officers’ wives.

“Your concern for the less privileged shows that individuals like you are rare, and I pray that God will continue to protect you and bless you abundantly,” Ogbodo added.

In her remarks, Mrs Miriam Anyai, state Chairperson of POWA, commended POWA president to the good gesture and said it was a welcome development to encourage members of the association to actively participate in entrepreneurship.

“This empowerment programme will go a long way in impacting positively in the lives of members of POWA and police family as well as reduce poverty life of the less privileged in the community,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOC/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Drug

By Christian Ogbonna

Abakaliki, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru on Wednesday, said her team would embark on statewide sensitisation campaign against illicit drugs and trafficking in the state.

Nwifuru said the campaign would be launched in the 13 local government areas headquarters of Ebonyi.

The Governor’s Wife said this at the occasion marking the grand finale of the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abakaliki.

She noted that the theme for the 2024 celebration tagged: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” is in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi Command.

The governor’s wife decried the negative effects of drug abuses in the society and noted that the statewide campaign became necessary for adequate reduction of drug abuses.

She appealed to the security agencies to fully support the campaign against illicit drug, especially in the hinterland.

Mr Peter Ogar, Commander, NDLEA’s in Ebonyi said that its personnel were committed to clamping down on abuse of illicit drugs in the state.

Ogar commended Mrs Nwifuru on her support to NDLEA’s activities at ensuring that drug trafficking was reduced to its barest minimum in the state among men, women and youths in the society.

He said that the Agency had made significant achievements in the fight against drug abuses, noting that it convicted 13 suspects within the period between January and June, 2024.

“The command had also counselled a total of 40 clients arrested during raid operations in the state,” Ogar added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOC/MNA 

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Drug
By Christian Ogbonna
Abakaliki, June 26, 2024 (NAN) National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Wednesday led some stakeholders on a road walk against illicit drugs and trafficking in in Ebonyi.
The walk, which took off from Abakaliki Township Stadium and ended at the popular Women Development Centre, was part of activities marking the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abakaliki.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s Day has as its theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.
NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Peter Ogar, said that the theme was apt, urging the stakeholders to support the agency’s operatives and invest in prevention of drug abuse in the society.
Ogar said that the road walk was aimed at creating awareness and strategy to properly educate residents of the state on the dangers of drug intake.
He expressed the command’s commitment to clamping down on illicit drugs in the state.
“This year’s celebration is very significant and we have sensitised the people, especially those in the hinterlands. We are urging the men, women and youths to say ‘No’ to illicit drug trafficking.
“The agency seeks to increase the level of awareness concerning drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“Many people are suffering from drug abuse challenges but do not know how to get solutions. The youth are dying daily due to drug abuse.
The commander said that the public enlightenment was to assist members of the society to live a healthy and drug-free life. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OOC/NNO/WAS
Edited by Nick Nicholas and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Drug

By Christian Ogbonna

Abakaliki, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi Command said it seized 82.587kg  of various illicit drugs in the state between  January and June.

The command said it also arrested 139 suspected drug traffickers in the period under review and among the suspects were 35 females and 104 males.

Mr Peter Ogar, NDLEA’s commander in the state disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the 2024 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Ogar said the theme for  2024  tagged: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” was significant in the efforts to curb drug abuses in the society.

The commander listed some of the drugs seized to include: cannabis sativa, tramadol, flunitrazepam, methamphetamine, locally known as `Mkpurummiri’, and other illicit substances.

He explained that the command convicted 13 suspects within the period under review.

“In line with our mandate to get rid of drug abuse and trafficking, the command conducted the following activities for the period of January to June 2024.

“A total of 139 suspects arrested, 35 females and 104 males. The command seized a total of 82.587kg of various drug exhibits.

“Out of these numbers, the command counselled  40 clients arrested during raid operations. The command secured convictions of 13 suspects within the period,” he said.

Ogar noted that within the period under review, various cases were still pending at the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, awaiting determination.

“The period witnessed a wide range of sensitisation programmes, campaigns and drug abuse enlightenment education across the three senatorial zones of the state,” he added.

The commander urged stakeholders including government, agencies, international organizations to provide preventive strategies by way of policies aiming at clamping down on drug abuses.

He noted that such policies and programmes could create awareness on the dangers of drugs on both individuals and society.

“The government needs to fashion out ways of getting those who are hooked on drugs rehabilitated and prevent those trying to indulge in drug abuses,” Ogar advised. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOC/CHOM/MNA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu