Independence Day: Counter narcotics strategies, By Emmanuel Onwubiko

The Federal Government (FG) on Monday revealed plans to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary, which is scheduled for October 1, 2023, in a low-key way.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said this during a press conference in Abuja, with the FG also not inviting any world leaders.

Akume further told journalists that the decision not to invite any world leaders for the 63rd independence anniversary was taken in line with the government’s option for a low-key celebration

Low-key celebration has nothing to do with whether we are not doing well. Economic times are hard; we are looking at it not just at the national level but also as a family,” he said.

“We have not invited world leaders. During the inauguration of the president, 53 world leaders were invited, so we have not invited any world leaders. The report of the investigator for CBN will soon be ready for the public.

“As you are aware, the President has given his approval for this 63rd anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63: Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity

Although the current Federal government has opted for a low-key celebration of the 63rd independence anniversary of Nigeria understandably, but there is certainly one key law enforcement Institution that has intensified strategic combat of narcotics and has massively made efforts to minimise the spread of illicit substances and this body is the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

What is intriguing is that incidentally and historically, on the eve of the commemoration ot the Independence day anniversary, NDLEA is hosting the high profile meeting of the Heads of Counter- narcotics Institutions all around Africa.

The significance of hosting the thirty first meeting of heads of national law enforcement Agencies in Africa can not be lost to the low profile nature of the celebration of the sixty third Independence day by the Nigerian government

If  for nothing, the Independence day solemnity ought to be used to reflect on the phenomenal efforts