The United Nations has commenced a three-day stakeholder workshop aimed at addressing insecurity, crime, and drug abuse in Zamfara State.
The workshop, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria Country Office, began today at the Government House in Gusau.
According to a statement from Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor, the workshop is part of a UN Assessment and Programming Mission.
Its objective is to develop comprehensive responses to the challenges of insecurity and drug abuse that have plagued the state for over a decade.
The UN team, led by Oliver Stolpe, the Country Representative of UNODC, will engage with key stakeholders from various sectors over the course of the workshop. The program is designed to provide a platform for collective analysis of the scope, drivers, and trends of these pressing issues, as well as to share effective practices and approaches from within and beyond Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Governor Lawal underscored the significance of the UN’s involvement, highlighting his recent discussions with high-ranking UN officials, including Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. He expressed gratitude for the UN’s commitment to aiding Zamfara, stating, “This seminar is a testimony of the UN’s proactive desire to fulfill the promises to help us understand and address the challenges facing us.”
The Governor emphasized the serious impact of banditry, crime, and drug abuse on the state’s socio-economic development and the well-being of its people. He pointed out that the outcomes of this workshop would be instrumental in shaping future policies and strategies.
The workshop’s agenda includes discussions on the manifestations and root causes of insecurity and crime in Zamfara, such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, illegal mining, and inter-communal violence. It will also cover the roles of state security actors and traditional institutions in combating these issues, and UN support in strengthening criminal justice responses and community-based crime prevention.
Additionally, the workshop will address the societal implications of drug abuse in Zamfara and explore effective prevention, treatment, and care practices.
Governor Dauda therefore urged participants to engage actively, stating, “The insights and recommendations generated here will be crucial in shaping our strategies and actions in dealing with the problems that confront us.”
