Center for Strategic Research and Studies Provost Adam Ahmed has expressed support for mandatory drug testing for all elected officials.
Mr Ahmed made his stance clear while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation’s 6th Annual Ramadan lecture series and prayer for the nation on Saturday in Abuja.
The talk was titled “Drug Addiction, Criminality, and Insecurity in Nigeria: Toward a Collective Solution,” according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
As he put it, “When they behave you would know plainly that they are high on narcotics” for certain political appointees and elected officials.
It’s not just regular people in the tech industry or the security industry; it’s pervasive.
Mr Ahmed, who presided over the event, mentioned that politicians were put through rigorous testing in Malaysia, the Philippines, and some South American countries before being awarded power there.
He elaborated, saying, “Not just that every person that is holding power including the military, security people are examined before they are given a very critical job.
Because leaders can shape the opinions of those who follow them. If they have a history of drug abuse, the people who are responsible for them are probably also involved.
That’s why I think it’s imperative to do a drug test on anyone before trusting them with significant responsibilities.
Mr Ahmed urged authorities in charge of drug laws and anti-drug use administration to take stronger measures against drug misuse in the country.
He also stressed the importance of the government appointing organizations like the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation to lead the charge in the fight against drug abuse.
According to Mr Ahmed: “Drug abuse in Nigeria and misuse of drugs by the people are worse than any form of crime that we imagine.”
Since drug abuse or overuse is linked to nearly every type of crime committed in the United States, including those of a political, criminal, security, and even domestic, social, and economic nature.
I don’t think we really gave drug misuse seriously as a problem in this country.
“Sure, there were terrible laws where drug pushers were executed during the military, which thankfully some people had even called such laws should be reinstated. “But then after that, we went through a period where everything goes as far as drugs are concerned in this country.
As he put it, “encompassing every functionality of the society,” the threat has spread to practically every industry. That’s why it’s such a tragic circumstance.
However, he praised the work of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other related organizations in combating the country’s drug misuse problem.
Sharafudeen Aliagan, the event’s organizer, has remarked that ending the devastating impacts of drug misuse in society is a top priority.
As he put it, “We have a lot of professionals, we have a lot of academicians, and many people who actually know what’s going on in society.
We pooled our resources after learning that drug misuse is a widespread problem.
“At this time, drug misuse, criminality, and instability are the most pressing issues facing our country.
So, we consider it crucial to discuss timely events throughout all of our shows.
There will be some high-level remedies to this scourge once we have discussed it and are able to bring out the report to the government and the general population of Nigerians.
Mr Aliagan claims the foundation convened Muslim and non-Muslim experts and academics to discuss how to permanently end the problem.
As he put it, “since those who are into kidnapping, insurgency, and rubbery must have taken one of these intoxicants which assist them to commit their horrible crimes.”
Nasrul-Lahi-il Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) women’s leader Amina Bukola said the lecture’s issue was right on point.
