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NWDC to Integrate Drug Rehabilitation, Youth Empowerment into Development Plan

The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has pledged to work with the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Practices to tackle drug abuse and insecurity across the seven states of the region.

According to a statement signed by the Commission’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NWDC, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, made the pledge on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force led by its Chairman, Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado.

Prof. Ma’aji said drug abuse had become a major driver of insecurity, poverty, and youth restiveness in the North-West, warning that the region could not achieve its development goals if young people were lost to substance abuse.

“The North-West cannot achieve its development goals if a generation of our young people is lost to drug abuse. The data before us is alarming, and the link between drug abuse and the double rise in gun violence is now clear to all of us,” he stated.

Briefing the Commission, Barr. Rimingado said the Task Force recorded significant gains within 45 days of its inauguration. According to him, the team carried out over 200 raids in vulnerable communities, secured over 200 convictions with some offenders sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment, and recovered dangerous weapons and exhibits.

He added that 120 of the most critical and vulnerable offenders are currently undergoing rehabilitation in two correctional and reformatory centres.

“The approach of the Kano State Government is two-pronged: aggressive law enforcement and mass rehabilitation,” Rimingado said.

“Government did not set up this committee only to arrest and prosecute. If we jail them for 10 years and release them back to the streets with no reform, we have achieved nothing. That is why we are removing the most vulnerable from the streets and putting them in reformatories,” he added.

In response, Prof. Ma’aji assured that NWDC would integrate drug prevention, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment into its regional development blueprint for Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

“At NWDC, our mandate is to rebuild the North-West. That means building infrastructure, but also rebuilding people. We will work with the Task Force and other stakeholders to expand rehabilitation centres, provide skills acquisition, and create jobs as alternatives to crime,” he said.

The NWDC boss also expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his support to the Commission and for establishing the Task Force to fight drug abuse in the state.

“This particular initiative is a testament to the Governor’s concern for youth welfare and development,” Prof. Ma’aji said.

Also present at the meeting was Engr. Rufa’i Ahmad, Board Member representing the North Central.

The Commission further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and parents to join the campaign against drug abuse, noting that “security and development must go together.”

The North-West Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure development, human capital investment, and peace-building initiatives across the seven North-West states.