The Kano State Government has partnered with the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking to host the North-West Regional Summit on Drug Abuse, Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Control.
The summit, scheduled to hold later this year in Kano, is expected to bring together policymakers, security agencies, health experts, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to develop strategies for tackling the growing menace of substance abuse, particularly among youths.
Chairman of the committee, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday following a visit by members of the committee to Kano State.
Adelegbe, who was represented by the lawmaker representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency, Rabiu Yusuf, commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for agreeing to host the North-West edition of the summit.
He said the governor’s decision demonstrated commitment to addressing drug abuse and protecting the future of young Nigerians.
“We appreciate Governor Yusuf for demonstrating visionary leadership by partnering with the National Assembly to host this important regional summit.
“His decision reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding the future of our young people and positioning Kano State at the forefront of the campaign against one of Nigeria’s most pressing social and public health challenges,” he said.
According to Adelegbe, Kano was selected because of its strategic location, economic importance, large population and leadership role in Northern Nigeria.
He described the partnership as a strategic collaboration between the Kano State Government and the National Assembly aimed at developing sustainable legislative, policy and community-based responses to drug abuse and other related social vices across the North-West.
The lawmaker stressed that tackling drug abuse requires more than security operations.
“The fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot be left to security agencies alone.
“It demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving legislation, prevention, education, rehabilitation, community mobilisation and strategic partnerships,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the summit would produce practical recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework and promote evidence-based interventions against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The committee also presented its proposed national strategy on drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm to the Kano State Government.
Responding on behalf of Governor Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ibrahim, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to host the summit.
“The Kano State Government is fully prepared to collaborate with the National Assembly in hosting this summit and supporting broader efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse, strengthening public health interventions and protecting our communities,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the state government remains committed to policies that promote youth development, community safety and improved public health.
As part of the visit, the committee held consultations with the Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where discussions centred on emerging drug trafficking trends, enforcement challenges and prevention efforts.
The delegation also visited the Kano Reformatory Centre in Kiru to assess rehabilitation programmes and vocational training initiatives, while interacting with recovering clients.
The lawmakers further met with members of the Kano State House of Assembly to discuss legislative collaboration ahead of the summit and paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to seek the support of traditional institutions for the regional gathering.
The committee expressed optimism that the summit would strengthen regional collaboration, improve existing laws and generate practical policy recommendations to curb drug abuse, illicit trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm across the North-West.
