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Lagos Beyond Drugs Campaign Commends Sanwo-Olu’s US Leadership Exchange and Training Programme

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As part of the efforts to curb drug abuse in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, which has become an epicentre both for drug trafficking and abuse, the SILEC Initiatives, a brain child of Amb. Sunny Irakpo, a U.S-Government sponsored Exchange Alumni, who participated in the International Visior’s Leadership Exchange Program (IVLP) in 2019, has taken the lead to apply a 21st century approach in the fight against the scourge.

The group has also redoubled its commitment in the fight against drug abuse by partnering with the Lagos State Government to implement programmes aimed at enlightening the youths.

As a passionate agency that is after the transformation of the lives of the youthful and vibrant population, we have repeatedly emphasized the need for the different state governments in Nigeria, religious bodies, families, communities and corporate organisations to assist in creating a life transforming platforms and socio economic activities that will enable the youths exert their energies in the right direction in order to help achieve the needed change and national development that the nation craves for, shouldn’t be a duty for one arm. The youths are the strength and future of the country, so all hands must be on deck to guide, mentor and transform the lives of all Nigerian youth.

SILEC initiatives in their recent anti-drug campaign activities with the students of the Lagos state government Technical College, Ikeja, where Sunny Irakpo spoke on “Share Facts On Drug Abuse, Save Lives”, the program which was organised by the Lions Clubs International District 404B-2 in partnership with SILEC Initiatives under the distinguished leadership of the district governor, Lions Clubs International 404B2, Lion Kayode Oshinuga PMJF, NLCF and the committee chairperson, Lion (Mrs) Folashade Ashafa MJF, NLCF, which were parts of the advocacy for all and sundry to come to the aid of Nigerian youths, especially in Lagos where drug activities are very high with an average of 33% of her population engaged in drug abuse, the highest in South-West region.

While delivering on the psycho-socio model in tackling drug abuse in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State as part of the SILEC Initiatives campaign plans for 2022 tagged : “Lagos Beyond Drugs.” A media and school-based campaign project targeted towards the youths and the general public, he lamented that drugs are currently being consumed like pure water, and tasked the students to focus on their studies and avoid any form of distraction and that drug abuse being an element of destruction has led many promising youths to their early grave without fulfilling their God-given purposes on earth.

He further stated that the students should see the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu and other influential figures in the country as role models respectively, rather than take some uncultured and morally bankrupt artistes on social media with bad influence as their role models. The anti-drug abuse ambassador clearly reminded the students that it is important to also listen to their parents and their teachers to avoid life mistakes. Pointedly, he told them that avoiding peer pressure as far as drug abuse is concern is highly critical and paramount to them in fulfilling their potentials.

Reiterated that their lives are so precious to us as a nation, and to lose anyone of them to this enemy would be highly disastrous and counter productive. He specifically reminded them that Nigeria needs them to survive. While thanking the U .S Government via the U.S. Mission Nigeria for giving some of us the golden opportunity to build our leadership capacity in the U.S in order to attain the transformation agenda for Nigeria, I humbly extend my sincerest appreciation to the Lagos State Government under the current leadership of His Excellency Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the recent partnership with SILEC Initiatives and WorldChicago to implement Diplomacy Leadership Exchange Program for selected hard-working youths of the State including state officials in leadership and capacity building program in the United States of America as part of the State Government leadership development program and youth inclusiveness in Government. This is highly commended and Appreciated your Excellency serving as a good reward system for hard working youths of the State.

Calling on all well-meaning Individuals, corporate organisations, religious bodies and traditional institutions and international agencies to join effort with the SILEC initiatives to save Nigeria from this heightened state of moral decay, habitual decadence and destruction. The need to save the nation from this dangerous social vices and ill-leadership is NOW.

Very passionate about Nigeria growth and development, I wish to re-echo that “no youth will listen to me and be willing to do drugs.” Irakpo concluded.

Amb. Sunny Irakpo is certify by the United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC)on Drug Prevention, Treatment and Care Sensitization, a U.S Government Sponsored Exchange Alumni (IVLP), Youth and Anti-drug Abuse Advocate, Founder President Founder/President Silec Initiatives and Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador.

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Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

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N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

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EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.

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