Director General, ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, Amb. Prince F.A Ihonre
ECOWAS Advocate Raising Awareness and Combating Drug Abuse, Trafficking.
... to prevent drug abuse, illicit trafficking and any kind of abuse, the first thing we must do is to feed our people.
...Once drug abuse and illicit trafficking are reduced, violence will also be reduced- Ihonre
Emmanuel Oduara
The Economic Community of West African States Food and Cultural Festival has called on the leaders of ECOWAS countries in advocacy to reduce drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the continent.
"At the a National Stakeholders meeting preparatory Launch in observance of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and IIiicit Trafficking (UNIDADAIT) 2024.
Theme: The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention Food Security for All, Zero Hunger, Education and No Poverty should be our Target and Goal to say No to Drug Abuse.
Held on 25th June 2024 in Abuja Nigeria.
The Director General of ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, Amb. Prince F.A. Ihonre in his opening speech called on African Leaders to see drug abuse and illicit trafficking as a tool to promoting violence, insurgency and banditry, if properly handled would bring peace around ECOWAS countries.
"Ihonre, pointed out by Advocating Raising Awareness and Combating Drug Abuse, Illicit trafficking, Once drug abuse and illicit trafficking are reduced, violence will also be reduced because most of the things that stimulate violence are drugs and it is difficult for you to have a violent agitator that does not take drugs.
Further more, he want a situation where
the development partners around the world and the Federal Government of Nigeria and her fellow 14 member countries of ECOWAS to see the issue of drug abuse and illicit trafficking as a thing that is promoting violence, insurgency and banditry. Once all these things are addressed, I think there will be peace, he added.
"In his view as peace and good food production or high-level productivity of food in the members states, promoting peace among our farm settlements and communities is very important.
“The only way we can achieve this is through prevention. Every one of us should do everything possible to prevent drug abuse and the trafficking of drugs, humans, and any kind of trafficking by using alternative means, such as involvement in agricultural activities.
"After this is done, the whole of Africa will be at peace. This is the right time; we all need to come together to support the governments he said
"On the issue of drug traffickers, he said people trafficked in drugs because they want to engage by seeking quick money.
The DG, said as the theme of the 2024 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking titled “Evidence is clear: Invest in prevention”
The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, is building collaboration in Combating Drug Abuse, and IIiicit Trafficking “Evidence is clear: Invest in prevention.” If we must prevent drug abuse, illicit trafficking and any kind of abuse, the first thing we must do is to feed our people. Hunger prevention is a way of alleviating poverty among our people.
"Hunger prevention is a way of keeping people busy to fight the issue of drugs. such as cocaine, marijuana and others”
Also speaking, some of the Stakeholders, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Baba-Ndace, represented by the Head of News, Aliyu Othman, affirmed VON’s commitment to providing a platform for mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Voice of Nigeria is an institution that broadcasts in 8 languages, which gives this platform an advantage. The DG asked me to assure you that VON will support you wherever you hold this conference and will promote this cultural initiative in Africa.
"As the government, the DG also shown interest on this forum which will attract investments into Nigeria. This will be promoted to the best of our ability so that President Tinubu’s efforts towards attracting direct investment will be achieved through culture and cultural re-orientation as initiated by this body.
"He however, promised to continue providing a platform for partnerships that will be mutually beneficial,” he said.
Commenting on this advocacy the Country Representative of FAO, Nigeria, Mr. Dominque Kouacou, represented by Mr. Bashir Ishaq, said,
"The FAO, wish to congratulate the organizers for putting together another important festival in food and agriculture for the ECOWAS region.
Considering the situation in the country, especially with the declaration of a state of emergency in food security, pointing out that the theme for this year’s event aligns with the present challenges of drug abuse and youth inclusion in the food sector of the economy.
"FAO is ready for any collaborative move with this organization to make this event successful and to be part of the bigger event in Uyo," he said. Other remarks from partnering agencies are Former Director (Performing Arts) National Council For Arts and Culture Sam Agabi JP and Director, Special Duties, National Institute For Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)
The official unveiling of the 2024 EFCF logo with the theme “Celebrating African Cultural Heritage for Peace and Development,” was done, being co-hosted by Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State, coming up 6th - 11th October 2024.
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