Abuses and curses and vituperations will never deter us from awaking sleeping Arewa to the tragedy that has befallen us of Chukwumas and Arinzes supplying our youths with drugs. I repeat – a spade is a spade, and not a shovel. What is a Chukwuma doing in Funtua with truckloads of illicit drugs? What is an Arinze doing in Kano with drugs stuffed in empty plasma television cartons? And, in fact, where is Chukwuma and Arinze and those drugs? Let’s keep asking!
Many readers responded to last week’s piece – and the following are all we can accommodate this week. Apologies to all others.
SALISU SALEH NA’INNA DAMBATTA ([email protected]): For immediate action, the following need to be done: we propose a date for a huge anti-drug rally with participants drawn from the groups you mentioned in the article; we select the first two cities where the rally will be staged; we articulate what would be said at the rallies and select the speakers; we set up a committee comprising volunteer lawyers to draft a bill with draconian punishment for drug supply, distribution, deliberately inducing demand and a time frame for concluding draft cases from investigation to court verdict, with sanctions for delays; we encourage the creation of Antidrug Clubs in all schools, colleges and tertiary institutions for raising consciousness against drug abuse; we create Antidrug Vanguards or vigilantes in every ward involving youths and elders to tackle the menace; we ensure the establishment or improvement of drug rehabilitation centres in all the affected states to be managed by the Governments and representatives of the bodies you mentioned in the article; we encourage Council of Ulama to use their platforms regularly in preaching against drugs; and, finally, invite all concerned to meet and initiate a coherent strategy which can lead to a massive antidrug campaign similar to, if not wider than, a daidaita sahu. The crisis is so big, so pervasive and must be tackled with absolute sincerity, firing from all cylinders. There could be obstacles and resistance; we should be able to turn the obstacles into stepping stones for higher action, and match resistance with greater resistance against the flooding our communities with drugs by these evildoers. [SALISU, SEE SEMINARS AND MEETINGS BELOW – COLUMNIST]
ISAH ABUBAKAR SOKOTO ([email protected]): Permit me to remind you that these people attempted to kill one of their own, the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, when she attempted to take them on for their criminal activities of importing and manufacturing fake, adulterated and contraband drugs. These people wallahi are synonymous with drug trafficking. You have said the truth and therefore we are behind you one hundred percent. Thank you so much for awakening us through your column in the Daily Trust. May Allah continue to protect you.
DR. DALHATU S. YOLA: We should continuously highlight the dastardly role of these people in promoting drug abuse in the North. Their tribal leadership must be forced to take a stand.
DR. M. I. L. SHEHU, MNI ([email protected]): I have two issues with your latest column titled as above. Like you, I believe the topic is serious enough to warrant frequent comments. My first issue is that I do not share your optimism as regards a positive role by the leadership of NDLEA in Kano. My impression is that they may be part of the problem, unless, of course, the current leadership is less than three years in office. I’m involved in academic-professional training of medical specialists in primary health care. Our products are called Family Physicians, that is, the primary care physicians. As part of our programme, about three years ago, I sent a senior resident doctor to personally deliver a request for public enlightenment materials and to also request for paper presentation AND display of samples of the products of abuse. Being the gatekeepers of a modern health care system, I believe it is absolutely essential that each practitioner should be able to recognise the drugs of abuse, in case of accidental consumption, while minding the Emergency Room or even in day-to-day consultations. After fulfilling their requirements, a day was agreed for a Hospital presentation by their experts. We waited for an additional hour for them. Calls made were answered that they were on their way but after an hour, they stopped picking our calls. Fortunately, from experience, we had a fall-back paper, which saved us from time loss. But the embarrassment remained, as no effort was made to apologise or give even excuses. Second issue is that we should not downplay the role family breakdown plays in substance abuse. Hence, you cannot but get back to fundamental issues like absence of home training and the ‘almajiri’ practice. The point here is that sooner or later we have to get back to the holistic solution to societal problems being spearheaded by Sarkin Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II. Let fathers be compelled to cater for their families, then we can hold state governors responsible for the breakdown of our education facilities, now producing societal nuisance!
BARRISTER SA’IDU M. KOKI: Bala – everyone knows this fact. You just called a spade a spade. Emir Sanusi 2 is no more alone in the crusade to tell the truth. May Allah preserve you.
BASHIR SA’IDU ([email protected]): As a refuse collector about 15 years ago, I discovered the extent of drug addiction amongst our youths especially along the Sabongari streets in Kano. The most distressing observation I made then was that ONLY Hausa boys and girls were involved in this addiction. The youths from the other ethnic groups were hardly visible. Now instead of our leaders coming out to stamp out this anomaly, we are for political expediency stating that ALL inhabitants are ‘INGIGINE’! First, I’m not into politics and what I’m saying is purely out of concern for my own people, my own city. I know why I’m saying this because having been born around Jakara I was also privileged to have also schooled in the south.
They are deliberately killing us and our leaders are just not doing enough. Allah Ya sauwake.
MEANWHILE, MORE SEMINARS AND MEETINGS ON DRUGS:
PROF SALISU SHEHU, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ISLAMIC FORUM OF NIGERIA: “Islamic Forum of Nigeria invites you as SPEAKER at its Annual Ramadan Lecture tentatively scheduled for 17 Ramadan 1439 (Saturday June 2, 2018). The lecture will be in Hausa on the topic: “ILLOLIN SHAYE-SHAYE DA HANYOYIN MAGANCE SU A MUSULUNCI”. We will be glad to receive your acceptance of this task. Thanks. Wassalamu Alaikum.
BRIG GEN MD YUSUF (RTD), EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, YOUTH & PUBLIC SAFETY AWARENESS INITIATIVE (YPSAI): “We shall appreciate your acceptance to participate at the North West Nationwide Youth Sensitisation Programme Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking as Special Guest for the Walkout Exercise and as Discussant of Paper 3 (Youth and Self/National Development by GP Capt Yusuf N. Ahmed, rtd.) at the Seminar which is aimed at reducing to the barest minimum or total eradication of drug abuse and trafficking by the youth with the aim of preparing them for self-development and leadership.”
DR. USMAN BUGAJE, AREWA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (ARDP) IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NGOS AND CSOS: “Join us Sunday April 22 as we continue to discuss this very important matter. We shall receive Committee Reports on Model of Drug Rehab; Programme for Advocacy; and Regulatory Aspect of Substitution Therapy.”
Indeed, I accept all invitations but on one condition – we must add in our various Agenda these: “What is a Chukwuma doing in Funtua with truckloads of illicit drugs? What is an Arinze doing in Kano with drugs stuffed in empty plasma television cartons? And, in fact, where is Chukwuma and Arinze and those drugs?” Let’s keep asking! See you at the Seminars!
