Princewill Condemns Peddling & Consumption of Illicit Drugs

Going by the recent outcry of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) saying that drug barons, “Majority of them have, in their bid to continue in the illicit business, converted their residential apartments to drug warehouse,” Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, the leader of the Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has called on the youths in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to eschew drugs but turn good citizens of Nigeria.

Princewill who turned 40 on January 4th 2009 made this statement by the emissary sent to The Owu-Aru-Sun Festival of the Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State which started on 29th January and ended on 31the. Princewill explicated the importance for every human being to avoid peddling of drugs or taking of illicit drugs.

“What is the joy these narcotic barons gain if they continued hiding while peddling or consuming drugs at the airports, seaports, backyards, and all places?” Princewill asked. “It is very absurd of note that the dealers of these unwanted commodities in our country now use their private houses in storing of cannabis savita otherwise called Indian hemp.”

Princewill bemoaned that the fight against illicit drugs is not aimed at anybody, but for the good of our society. “Illicit drugs don't favour any society!” he said. “I believe that no matter how smart anyone into this business might think he is, NDLA is smarter. The Agency, I believe, has its intelligence network gathering information for it. This intelligence gathering network is sometimes the member of the public. And it is a welcomed development.”

Princewill commends the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, for his stoical approach to handling the nuisance of drugs peddling in the country; most especially, Princewill cried at the reportedly burning publicly of forfeited drug exhibits in Badagry, Lagos State on Thursday January 13, 2009, describing it as “a good strategic measure to discourage drug use in our society.”

He rated illicit drug business as shameful and those who are into it as infidels against the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

Reportedly, Princewill quoted, “A total of 5. 605.27 kg of narcotics seized by the National Headquarters, Lagos State Command, Murtalla Mohammed International Airport (MMNIA), Seme Special Area Command and the Apapa Seaport Command in Lagos, being drugs whose cases have been disposed of by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, between 2007 and 2008 were publicly burnt. The quantity of cocaine was 376.45 Kg; heroin, 71.46 Kg while cannabis was 5, 157.56 metric tons.”

Commending the NDLEA, Princewill said that he wondered how many Nigerian people's lives drugs would have ruined this year if Chief Giade, the NDLEA boss, didn't beam his searchlights properly to take away drugs exhibits out of circulation.

Princewill warned that in every business there are good times and bad times. “Niger Delta youths and Nigerians indeed should desist from any association with peddling or consumption of illicit drugs for the oneness of our nation and for the peaceful and healthy co-existence of our today and our tomorrow,” Princewill concluded.

Dr. Brian Wilfred is Communication Assistant to Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, Port Harcourt. [email protected]