The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, today donated some household items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) during a visit by the officials of the agencies to the Ministry.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Yusuf Jimoh, stated that the idea of donating to both agencies was mooted last year during the Ministry’s courtesy visit to some select Federal government agencies, including NAPTIP and NDLEA, adding that the visit exposed the needs of the Agencies for food and other essential items.
He also informed the visitors of the State government’s desire to collaborate with Federal Agencies in the drive to stem the tide of Drug and Human Trafficking, especially in Lagos.
Jimoh stated that the collaboration is in line with Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda for a greater and safer Lagos, stressing that it will help to reduce criminal activities, while enhancing the security of residents in the State.
In his remark, the Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Adetola Bankole, thanked the NAPTIP and NDLEA officials for their support and promised to always engage the Agencies while assuring them of more State government interventions and support.
Earlier, the Director of NAPTIP, Lagos Command, Mr. Ganiyu Aganran said “speaking from personal experience, no State could be compared to Lagos in kindness and generosity”, just as he expressed delight at the gifts presented to the Agency.
Agaran reiterated that NAPTIP renders a critical service that is crucial to security and development in the country, pointing out that collaboration between the State and Federal government, through the agency, will make the set goals and objectives of both partners easily achievable.
On his part, the Chief Security Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (Murtala Muhammed lnternational Airport), Mallam lsa Rabiu, who received the food/sanitary items on behalf of the Commandant of the Agency, appreciated the kind gesture of the Lagos State Government, stressing that the donated items would be used to cater for the 30 awaiting trial inmates with the agency.
According to him, many of them are women with children who are in need of essential items like diapers and sanitary towels that had been graciously provided by the State government, adding that it was the first time that NDLEA would be given such gift items.
The items donated include cleaning items like Detergents, Diapers and Sanitary Pads, as well as food items such as Rice, Beans, Garri, Semovita and Noodles.
