Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday announced plans to establish an agency with a mandate to fight drug abuse and addiction among youths in the state.
Ganduje made this Known,while receiving delegations of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies ( NIPSS ), Kuru at the Government House, Kano.
“What is worrying us now is this issue of drug abuse. The use of illicit drugs by the people. We are therefore urging that, we need to work side by side with this Institute in curtailing this menace,” He said.
According to him, “the state would also establish an agency that would look into the issue of drug abuse in the state.”
“As experts in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation we really need to work together with you, in order to see how we can address this problem of drug abuse,” he added.
Ganduje also said community policing is part of the secret of success in achieving peace in the state.
“We have the cooperation of all, while embarking on this strategic initiative. While at the same time people believe there would be no development without peaceful co-existence among our people. That is part of the strong reasons why we have achieved that feat, ”
“We, as a state, believe in the community policing. That is the main reason why we are establishing an agency for community policing,” he added.
Ganduje applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for “setting the pace and evolving ways to improve the security of the country in general, which also has direct bearing on the states.”
In his remarks, Director of Research of the Institute, Prof. Habu Galadima, who led a delegation to Ganduje, commended the governor for his efforts in securing the state.
He said they were in Kano for a study tour to the state with the Senior Executive Course No 40, 2018.
“The theme for the Course under study in 2018 is Strengthening Internal Security Framework and Community Policing in Nigeria: Models, Policy Options and Strategies. We are assuring you that Kano is key in this area,” he said.
Galadima added that they visited the state “to study the internal security mechanism being used to enjoy this peace and stability in the state. To also look at how community policing strategy is working effectively. We really appreciate the pattern taken by the state government in tackling the issue of insecurity.”
He further said Kano was selected “because of the immense peace and stability achieved recently, despite its large population size.”