The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has blamed the high rate of drug abuse, poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among the youths and the high rate of unemployment in the country on leadership failure. Obi was reacting to a report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria, indicating that 14.4% of citizens aged between 15 and 64 abuse drugs said is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%.
Peter Obi According to the United Nations, the world drug problem is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recognizes the importance of taking a people-centred approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices. Obi, a former Anambra State governor in a statement, noted that the attendant health conditions from drug abuse are unimaginable, including an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth. His statement is coming on the heels of the World International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. While praising the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, the Labour Party presidential candidate, in a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday, said more needs to be done by the government in rescuing the youths from a further slide into drug addiction. “On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we are reminded of the lingering menace of drug abuse among our youths and the need to take consistent actions to defeat it. “A report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs. This is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%. “The leadership failure in the country, high rate of poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among the youths, high rate of unemployment etc, are some of the main factors fuelling drugs and substance abuse among the youths. “The attendant health conditions that result from drug abuse are unimaginable. They include an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth. While we appreciate the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, more needs to be done by the government in rescuing the youths – our productive workforce from a further slide into drug addiction. “By not stigmatising our people who have fallen into drug addiction, and putting measures in place to prevent more people from getting caught in the deadly web, we will gradually stamp out this societal ill. “I have always maintained that the New Nigeria will be anchored on our youth population and productivity. We must ensure that our youths are free from all forms of drug abuse and trafficking in illicit substances,” Obi said.
Niara note and dollar exchange It is believed that banks can now sell forex at market-determined rates, suggesting Nigeria is now operating a freely floating exchange rate. This is in line with the promise of President Bola Tinubu to unify the multiple exchange rate in the market. However, official confirmation will have to come later in the day when data from the FMDQ is available. Sources also report trades are now going for as high as N750/$1. Meanwhile, in the black market, the exchange rate traded for as high as N773/$1 for “inflows” which represent dollars or other currencies sold over the wires. GistReel reports that President Bola Tinubu last Friday, June 9 took Nigerians by surprise when he ordered the immediate suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, from office. Explaining the reason behind Emefiele’s suspension, the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey disclosed that the suspension of the CBN governor was based on an ongoing investigation as well as planned reforms in Nigeria’s financial sector. 
The suspended CBN Gov, Godwin Emefiele Emefiele was directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), Mr Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms. The suspended CBN governor assumed office in 2014 after succeeding Lamido Sanusi, who was equally suspended from office under controversial circumstances by President Goodluck Jonathan few months before the expiration of his tenure. 
