NDLEA Names Danbatta As Special Ambassador

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Danbatta, has been named as a special ambassador for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The development was announced in a statement released by the Commander for Narcotics at the NDLEA Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Ajiya, Naija News reports.

At a courtesy visit to his office during the weekend, the anti-drugs agency said it is renewing its war against narcotics and the use of other dangerous substances leading to addiction in the country.

According to the NDLEA, its visit to Danbatta was to partner with the Commission to reduce the number of drug addicts in the country through sensitization programmes.

Ajiya explained further that one of the aims of the collaboration is to explore the use of telecom platforms to disseminate information about its activities to sensitize the citizens. He said this has become strategic as nearly all Nigerian youths are telecom subscribers who interface with telecom platforms from time to time. Ajiya said NCC comes readily to mind as a good partner to the NDLEA to achieve the latter’s mandate of reducing cases of drug addicts among Nigerian youths.

He said: “The NDLEA has rehabilitation centres across the country. This shows that we do not only apprehend the drug addicts, but we have rehabilitation centres where we monitor and guide them until they are fully rehabilitated.”

Ajiya again commended Danbatta for giving consideration to the agency’s recognition of him and accepting the role bestowed on him in the fight against drug addiction in Nigeria.

NCC’s Director, Human Capital and Administration, Usman Malah, who received the NDLEA’s delegation on behalf of the EVC of NCC, assured the visiting team of the Commission’s commitment to supporting the drug agency in eradicating drug abuse and sensitizing the citizens, especially the young generation, majority of whom are telecoms consumers, on the effect of drugs.

“Strategic collaboration and partnership is one of the key pillars of the two regulatory roadmaps of the Commission – the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024; and the Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 – and we would convey the NDLEA’s message to the Commission’s management to see how we can explore the areas of collaboration being requested by your agency,” Malah said