Zero Tolerance To Corruption; Best Instrument To Curtail Drug Barons – Ex NDLEA Boss, Giade

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

By Ayo Balogun

Again, zero tolerance to corruption has been endorsed as the best instrument to dislodge drug barons and eradicate narcotic drugs trafficking from the Nigerian society.

The immediate past Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, made the assertion Wednesday, during his hand over ceremony, in Ikoyi Lagos.

Giade stressed that corruption must be stamped out, if Nigeria must remain forthright and be committed to drug control campaign.

While noting that he was leaving behind a legacy of proactive and intelligence-led organization, the ex NDLEA boss who had spent a decade in office, indicated that the agency under his watch, has a representative at INTERPOL headquarters and has successfully raised the international profile of the country through unmatched seizures of drugs and arrest of drug barons.

Other landmark success of his tenure, Giade mentioned was the removal of Nigeria from the drug majors list by the United States (US) Government as well as creating cordial working relationship between the agency and other stakeholders.

Similarly, NDLEA during Giade’s tenure in 2011 discovered and exposed the first underground laboratory, used for methamphetamine production.

He restated: “The removal of Nigeria from the majors list opened door to a robust cooperation and partnership with stakeholders. NDLEA has witnessed unprecedented training programmes for officers sponsored by United States government, Germany, Spain, France and the European Union.”

Another factor recommended by the former anti-narcotic body head for good performance is officers’ welfare. He advised this should be given priority by the agency’s management.

The Acting Chairman, Mrs Roli Bode-George, in her remarks pledged that the agency would continue to enforce the rules of engagement and uphold the tenets of integrity.

To this end, she disclosed that a committee has been set up to make recommendations on the way forward, in particular on how NDLEA will continue to be proactive and operate as an intelligence-led agency.

She also promised that NDLEA under her watch would apply modern techniques and “diligently implement the National Drug Control Master Plan in collaboration with stakeholders.”