The Ebonyi Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it recorded a total seizure of 91.768kg of cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances from January to date.

The state Commander, Mr Okechukwu Nkere, disclosed this during a news conference in Abakaliki to commemorate the 2025 United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking.

Nkere said that the 2025 celebration, tagged “The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention,” was to advocate, educate and enlighten members of the society to resist the pressure of succumbing to abuse of drugs and illicit substances.

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“The Command also arrested a total of 212 suspects, comprising 169 males and 43 females, for various degrees of complicity in drug-related offenses.

“Within the period, we record a total seizure of 91.768kg of cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances and the conviction of seven persons.

“We successfully treated and rehabilitated seven clients and have 11 persons currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, while 83 males and 21 females were provided with brief counselling intervention in our facility,” Nkere said.

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The commander added that the command had also carried out public enlightenment campaigns in schools, communities and religious places across the three senatorial zones in Ebonyi.

He warned the general public, especially the youths, to desist from drug abuse, stating that there was no positive impact of illicit drugs on man and society.

He commended the support from the Ebonyi Government and other stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti State as the Chairman of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC).

Also confirmed was Charles Akinola as the Managing Director of the commission, alongside 16 other nominees to serve on the board.

The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report by the Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, chaired by Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC, Oyo Central).

While presenting the report, Senator Akintunde said: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on the South-West Development Commission on the confirmation of nominations for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-West Development Commission.”

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The confirmed board members include:

Bolaji Ariyo

Joseph Olugbenga

Scholastica Omoworare

Olumuyiwa Olabimtan

Ibrahim Olaifa

Kabiru Lakwaya

Abdul Adamu (Retired General)

Arinola Fagbemi

Ukoha Onyekwere

Howell Ihenacho

Also confirmed were:

Olugbenga Olufehinti – Executive Director, Projects.

Tele Ogunjobi – Executive Director, Finance

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Funmilayo Tejuosho – Executive Director, Corporate Services

Fatai Ibikunle – Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development

Lateef Ajijola – Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had last month forwarded the list of nominees to the Senate, requesting their screening and confirmation as members of the SWDC board.

The request was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary and subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, which was given one week to report back.

With the confirmation, the South-West Development Commission board is now fully constituted and expected to commence work aimed at driving regional development across the six South-West states.

There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central).

The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission.

Those confirmed as members of the RSIEC are Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.

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Objecting to Odey’s confirmation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) said bad precedent should not be set by allowing a non-indigene to head the electoral commission of a state.

He said: “I objected as observed because if it is allowed and becomes the norm, it will not be well for the country.

“I do not see the necessity of having someone from another state to chair an electoral body.”

Also kicking against the approval, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South), said it is wrong to scout for a non-indigene for such sensitive position when there are over one thousand indigenes who are qualified.

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Referring to a comment by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said politics was infused into the matter.

“It is here that politics is brought into this matter. Nobody is objecting to the personality but to a question of morality this appointment has raised.

“I am not a lawyer and not talking law, we are talking about ethics. This is unethical. We should not intrude politics into what we do here,” Moro said.

But the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), argued that Odey’s appointment is constitutional and that there is nothing wrong im the confirmation by the Red Chamber.

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He said: “The constitution is the ground norm and inasmuch as there is no provision in the constitution that is against appointing a non-indigene, the confirmation is then in order.

“Any Nigerian is free to take up appointment in any state. I can be a governor in Benue State. We are talking about constitution, not morality.”

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating concerns raised, however, appealed that it is a matter that should not be politicized, saying “The matter does not call for grandstanding.”

He argued that Odey is both eligible and qualified as a PhD holder.

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Bamidele disclosed that the committee had also raised similar concern during the screening exercise where he called on Odey to provide constitutional evidence of his eligibility.

He said the Odey is eligible and qualified, adding that having the six other members from Rivers State, picking a non-indigene as chairman would create room for transparency and neutrality.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau, who presided over the session, insisted that anybody can work anywhere in Nigeria.

Barau cited an example of an indigene of Edo State who is the Head of Service in Abia State.

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He said the objection “is purely politics because it is coming from APC”.

In the same development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Civil Service Commission consists of five members, including its Chairman, Dr Livinus Bariki, and Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry as members.

Also confirmed are the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Isreal N Amadi and Mr Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego, George Didia, Dr Tonye Willie D Pepple, Barrister Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Dr Sammy Apiafi, as members.
(DAILY POST)