memo to president muhammadu buhari (gcfr) commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of nigeria.
dear mr president sir,
covid-19 pandemic and covid-19vices in nigeria as drug addicts hits over 15million under your watch despite the report on the presidential advisory committee for the elimination of drug abuse.
In humility Mr President Sir, I have come to you once again as a son, a passionate youth and concerned citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is in the forefront in the campaign against drug abuse in the country and across the continent to respectfully remind you of your promise to tackle drug abuse amongst youths with the good steps already taken by your administration through the constituted Presidential Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse in the country with Col. Buba Marwa (Rtd) as the chairman alongside with the mother of the nation and the wife of the our amiable vice-president since December 11, 2018.
Mr. President Sir, in sequel to the task given to the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, the committee having done their best in line with the mandate and the directives given to them to proffer solutions, it is therefore saddened as cases and the number of drug addicts in the country is growing tremendously with over 15 million people are grossly affected.
I am aware that the presidential report of the subject has been received by your good office since 18th October, 2019 as reported by the Guardian Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s leading print media.
Mr President Sir, the issues on our hands now are;
– The outbreak of the coronavirus as it is crumbling nations of the world, ours inclusive, it is very obvious that our determination to tackle the problems and get the needed results with government’s backing is never a difficult thing to do as we have seen from the synergies and co-operation as demonstrated by the Presidential Task Force, NCDC, Ministry of Health, different state governments and the private sector towards the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. While on my own part as a concerned citizen, I have also joined in the fight against the dreaded enemy which has claimed lives and livelihoods across the globe. I am very optimistic that we shall overcome this pandemic and bounce back to our normal lives by the grace of God and the dedicated works of our frontline health workers which we commend very strongly.
– While I am very sad that the future of our youths and Nigeria is at stake with the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse is taking over the lives of promising youths coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further increased the unemployment rate and rendered millions of youths idle, many Nigerian youths that are already carving a niche for themselves in the entertainment Industry, creativity industry, sports, cinematography and across various sectors of the economy have been severely hit by the pandemic and many of them are on the crossroads to depression and are looking for a way of escape.
– The rate at which the youths and teenagers are going into drugs, especially in the ghettos, different slums and our cities with secret operation across the country is increasing rapidly and something needs to be done quickly because it is getting worse in this period of lockdown and severe hunger. On a daily basis, there seem to be new entrants in the consumption of drugs leading to the increase in criminality, thuggery, gangsterism, cultism, violence and frustration due to the current situation.
– Mr President Sir, in your fatherly kindness, I am appealing to you that the way concerted energies is being channelled towards fighting COVID-19, please sir, same should also be directed towards the fight against DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE in Nigeria because coronavirus will soon vanish from Nigeria but Drug Abuse will still remain with us to destroy promising future leaders of our great country, if not checked.
– With a heart of love, Mr President Sir, going forward, the presidential report for the elimination of drug abuse in Nigeria as ably received by your reputable office, here is my humble plea, that the report should be given the urgent presidential attention to help address some of the fundamental challenges confronting the youths by making your proclamation publicly as recommended by the committee, if not the the country might be heading for DOOM with the over 15 Million Drug Addicts in the country as reported by Guardian Newspaper on 4th May, 2019.
– This means Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb that will soon explode if the youths are not productively engaged to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the nation at this most productive age of their lives. Social vices(COVID-19VICES) will continue to be our bane will continue to terrorise our common existence.
– Mr President Sir, judging from past experiences of some National reports that existed on the pages of newspapers and television, I want to respectfully crave your indulgence that this critical report on drugs that contains the strengths, hopes, dreams, future and collective existence of our nation be given our utmost attention and be looked into. As the father of the country who understands the pains associated with nurturing a child to a mature citizen and eventually seeing that same child being destroyed by drug abuse and addiction, I do know that you wouldn’t want parents to feel that pains henceforth by doing everything humanly possible as a pragmatic leader and fighter to help implement the committee report in order to rescue millions of our youthful and vibrant population that are on the pathway to destruction.
– Mr President Sir,I wish to let you know that DRUG ADDICTION IS A THREE GENERATION DISEASE according to Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Rtd) USA, the former Director Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of the President of the United States of America who served under President Bill Clinton from 1996-2001. During his paper presentation on Drug and Alcohol Abuse:The Workplace and Community, which I ably represented Nigeria at World Affairs Council of Seattle, Washington USA on 6th April, 2019 revealing that it is a disease that damages the brain with generational negative impact. Your Excellency Sir, you can imagine that 15 million and above are carrying a three generation disease. What a disaster!
– There is the need for the government under your able leadership to take a preventive and proactive approach in solving the problem of drug abuse in the country.
– Seeing the humungous sums of money that have been donated for COVID-19 response, we are hoping that the health sector will be revolutionised alongside rehabilitation centres for drug addicts and people with mental disorder across the 774 local governments of the federation and also attention should be given to the Campaign, Sensitization and Awareness against the abuse of Drugs which our organization has been doing for the past 10 years since May, 2010.
– Sensitization is very key because according to same Gen. Barry McCaffrey, he revealed that for every $1 spent in Drug Abuse Prevention, it will save the government $10 for treatment of Drug Addicts. It is therefore economically wise that education is the best approach to drug addiction. This will help us to channel our resources to areas most needed to create jobs for the youths and and to further revamp our critical infrastructures.
– I am very passionate about the development of Nigeria, the only country I can call my own. I am working harder with other patriots in SILEC INITIATIVES to contribute our quota in nation building and we are looking forward to seeing the number of drug addicts being reduced drastically in your administration, sir. I am reaffirming that same commitment to ensure that Nigeria does not become a ground for breeding drug addicts. I’m contributing my quota to the best of my ability by supporting the efforts of governments to stem this public health crisis.
– We are hoping that as the federal government intensifies effort to revamp the health sector, keen attention should be given to the collective fight against drug abuse and that all the reports to combat drug abuse in the country be speedily adopted and implemented for the overall wellbeing of all citizens. No doubt our country is so blessed with human and natural resources, we must work harder to put this country in the league of developed nations of the world.
– Mr President Sir, in conclusion, as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) prepares to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking comes 26th June, 2020, I strongly believe that your administration will continue to toe the path of national interest as we strive collectively to eliminate drug addiction out of our nation.
– As we maintain all COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols as communicated by the World Health Organisation(WHO) and the federal government to curb the spread of Coronavirus, please kindly accept My Highest Social Distancing Regards on your Pristine Office.
Thank you, Your Excellency, Sir.
Yours In Service For The Nation,
Amb. Sunny Irakpo,
Founder/President
Silec Initiatives.