Pubdate: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 Source: Leadership Nigeria (Nigeria) Copyright: 2008 Leadership Newspapers Group Limited Contact: http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4706 Author: Joshua Uma NDLEA TO RECRUIT 2,500 IN 2009 National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a bid to further intensify the anti-narcotic campaign, will be recruiting 2,500 lower cadre agents in 2009. The Honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, made this known to newsmen in Abuja yesterday while addressing issues on the prevention of illicit drug crop cultivation, abuse and trafficking in the country. The recruitment, he explained, is part of efforts by the Federal Government towards empowering the youths and addressing the problems of unemployment in the country. Giade stated that the exercise is expected to balance up the staff strength of the Agency which he described as being 'top heavy'. "The selection process will be widely publicised and candidates will be shortlisted based on merit. Areas of assessment will include physical fitness, intellectual and integrity tests because we want the best". He also stated that the enlightenment workshop embarked upon by the Agency was designed for the entire North Central region which is the concluding part of the Agency's anti-drug enlightenment campaign activities for the year. Similar workshops with the theme 'Towards A Drug Free Nigeria' had been organised for the North West , North East, South West, South East and South South geo-political regions. The Agency, according to him, is also working on a finger print database to facilitate partnership with the Immigration Service in the area of passport issuance. "We are working on our finger print database which will enable the Agency collaborate effectively with the Nigeria Immigration Service in the area of passport issuance. This will help prevent drug barons and their cohorts particularly those ex-convicts whose passports have been seized from obtaining another document" Giade stated. The drug trade according to the NDLEA boss, is dynamic in nature and to remain on top of the situation, it must update its tradecraft and mode of operation. Giade, therefore, disclosed that priority will be given to both local and international training and retraining of its personnel in the coming year. In addition, there will be an elaborate awareness campaign plan because the anti-narcotic crusade is a battle that must be fought and won by every member of the society. The NDLEA boss said that drug barons were agents of death who always work towards a failed state wherever they are allowed to operate. He, therefore, urged members of the public not to give drug barons and their cohorts a place in our society. In his words, "I am glad that we have the capacity to frustrate and make life difficult for these enemies of the society as we have always done. That is the only way we can be relaxed, healthy and happy. My position is that drug barons will find the Nigerian environment hostile to operate in. Drug barons that relocated to other countries because of repeated attacks on their illicit network will not find safety wherever they run to because they will be arrested and prosecuted". Presentations made at the workshop covered vital areas such as effects of drug trafficking and drug abuse, community mobilisation against drugs among others. - --- MAP posted-by: Doug