The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has called for the support of the Zazzau Emirate Council in the intensified campaign against drug abuse and domestic violence in Kaduna State.
Issa-Onilu made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of a week-long sensitisation campaign being conducted by the NOA in partnership with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
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The Director-General said traditional institutions have a critical role to play in addressing social vices at the grassroots, given their proximity to communities and influence over their subjects.
He said the involvement of traditional rulers would strengthen efforts in early intervention, counselling, rehabilitation and sustained public enlightenment on the dangers of drug abuse and domestic violence.
Issa-Onilu called for closer collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to address the challenges and protect young people and families from their consequences.
The Executive Chairman of Zaria Local Government Council, Engineer Jamil Ahmad Muhammad Jaga, who hosted the NOA Director-General, accompanied him during the visit to the Emir of Zazzau and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Zaria Area Command.
Jaga also called for collective action by government, traditional institutions and communities to tackle drug abuse and domestic violence, describing the campaign as essential to protecting families, empowering young people and securing the future of society.
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Responding, the Emir of Zazzau expressed concern over the prevalence of drug abuse in parts of the Zaria area.
Malam Bamalli disclosed that some locations around Zaria had become redistribution points for hard drugs being trafficked to surrounding satellite towns.
The Emir pledged the support of the Zazzau Emirate Council to the campaign and stressed the need for continued collaboration with relevant government agencies and community structures to address the problem.
Among the traditional title holders who received the NOA delegation were Magajin Dokan Zazzau, Ambassador Suleiman Umaru Dauda, and Dan-Lawan Zazzau, Jidrin Yusuf Baba.
The NOA Director-General and the Zaria Local Government Chairman subsequently visited the NDLEA Zaria Area Command in Gwargwaje, where they were received by the Area Commander, Mr Nuhu Ahmed.
The engagement focused on strengthening inter-agency collaboration and exchanging views on measures to curb drug abuse, which continues to pose threats to public health, family stability, youth development and community security.
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The sensitisation campaign is aimed at increasing public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and domestic violence while promoting responsible behaviour, peaceful families and safer communities.
The NOA, through its Abuse, Rights and Narcotics Department, has continued to advocate multi-sectoral collaboration in preventing social vices and mobilising citizens towards healthier, safer and more responsible communities.