The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), will be among the dignitaries to launch two books on drug abuse prevention and awareness in Ilorin, the state capital.
The books, titled “Drug Slaves” and “Look Before You Leap”, are authored by the Kwara State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim, who has been leading the fight against drug trafficking and addiction in the state. The books also have Hausa and Yoruba versions to cater to the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the readers.
The public presentation of the books will take place on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Banquet Hall, opposite Government House, Ilorin, by 10 am.
Other guests expected at the event include Governors Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State and Usman Ododo of Kogi State, members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Engineer Yusuf ‘Lanre Sagaya, the Zanna of Ilorin Emirate, who will chair the occasion, Comrade Issa Aremu, the Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), who will deliver the keynote address, and Mallam Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali (SAN), who will be the guest speaker.
According to a statement issued by the organizing committee, the books are written to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse, as well as to inspire hope and recovery for those who are struggling with addiction.
The statement also revealed that a troupe from the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, will stage a drama based on one of the books, “Look Before You Leap”, at the event.
The books are part of the efforts of the NDLEA to curb the menace of drug abuse in the society, which has been linked to various social vices and crimes, such as terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, rape, and domestic violence. The NDLEA, under the leadership of Brigadier General Marwa, has intensified its operations and advocacy to reduce the supply and demand of illicit drugs in the country.
