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FOREMOST NIGERIAN ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ORGANIZATION, PADDI, COMMEMORATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

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As part of global commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (also referred to as the World Drug Day), a foremost non-governmental organization focused on Substance abuse issues in Nigeria, People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance {PADDI}, in collaboration with the Civil Society Network on Substance and Drug Abuse (CSNetSDA), organized an interactive online Seminar on the theme of the Year 2020 WDD, ‘’Better Knowledge for Better Care’’.

The event started with introductory remarks by Eze Eluchie, Esq., an Attorney and Executive Director of PADDI. Whilst welcoming the Guests Speakers and participants, Barr. Eluchie stressed on the need to ensure that in pursuit of the broader international goals of addressing problems of Drug use/misuse, our efforts in Nigeria and across the West African subregion, should reflect and specifically address domestic priorities. The era when we addressed Drug Abuse basically from a Law enforcement perspective with the aim of preventing traffickers, without recourse to the evidence-based and balanced approach to which our countries committed to under the 2019 Ministerial Declaration of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, is no longer sustainable.

Barrister Eluchie further reiterated that it is only by becoming more aware of the nature, telltale signs of use, consequences and other specificities of Drug use/abuse, that people and our governments will be in a position to better care for and address drug related issues.

In further opening commentaries, two members of CSNetSDA, Mallam Nura Sani Abdulahi, Executive Director of Youth for Humman Rights, and Mrs. Peggy Chukwuemeka, Executive Director of Parent-Child Intervention Center, both of who made presentations from Kano and Enugu States respectively, expounded on the nationwide outreach of CSNetSDA, its grassroots penetration, and the diversity of the networks membership and programing which gives the network in a unique position to understand and intervene in addressing the complex and myriad drug use/misuse related problems in Nigeria. To CSNetSDA, the theme of the Year 2020 WDD affords the network and its membership, which spreads across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, an opportunity to adapt the wealth of knowledge at their disposal towards ensuring greater understanding and empathy towards caring and addressing the drug misuse situation.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, who was ably represented by the Assistant Director, Mental Health, Alcohol and Substance Abuse), Mrs. Dorothy Amadi appreciated the opportunity given to the Federal Ministry to continue and deepen its efforts at public sensitization and education ‘’to mobilize political will and concerns to address drug abuse and illicit trafficking’’. Continuing, Mrs. Amadi asserted that ‘’the fight against drug abuse requires holistic stakeholder’s engagement, we are therefor pleased with the efforts of People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance on the campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria’’.

In his presentation, Mr. Daniel Amankwaah {the Principal Programs Officer at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Drug Unit} representing the ECOWAS Commission expressed appreciation to PADDI and CSNetSDA, organizers of the event and reaffirmed the Commission’s preparedness to and willingness to work with member States of ECOWAS and relevant civil society organizations to address the drug situation in the subregion. In the words of Mr. Amankwaah: “ECOWAS adopted the Political Declaration and a Regional Drug Action Plan which are being implemented vigorously. The ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Programme (EDPCP) aims at contributing to a reduction of drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related organised crime in West Africa with particular emphasis on capacity building, reliable data collection, advocacy, coordination and support to our Member States to treat and rehabilitate people with drug use disorders”

The representative of the ECOWAS Commission further emphasized on the ‘’commitment to addressing the drug menace in West Africa and calls on all stakeholders and partners to relentlessly support drug prevention and control at all levels as our common and shared responsibility for the welfare of our people’’.

In his Presentation, Barr. Eluchie, who in addition to being the President of CSNetSDA is also a Board Member for the Africa Region on the Board of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) listed four key areas of focus for CSO’’s towards deepening and actualizing the intendments of the theme of the Year 2020 WDD, these include:
1. Presenting a Draft Bill for consideration of the National Assembly for the establishment of the National Drug Abuse Prevention Agency (NDAPA) – an entity that will be focused on addressing issues of Prevention, Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation of drug issues, whilst the NDLEA focuses on Law enforcement;
2. Increased advocacy towards incorporating meaningful education on and about Drug use/misuse in the curricular of our educational institutions (particularly the Primary and Secondary schools);
3. Encouraging the adaptation of Crop Substitution as a strategy to curtail the cultivation of illicit drugs (particularly Marijuana) in Nigeria; and
4. Capacity building and specialized training for Law enforcement and Judicial officers involved in addressing the drug abuse situation.
The civil society organizations and governmental agencies participating in the event committed to ensuring the actualization of the lofty ideals of this year’s them of the WDD.

After robust contribution and questions from the participating audience, the well-attended online forum which featured participants from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria and international participants from Cameroon and Liberia, came to an end after about two hours.

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Elated Polaris Bank Customer commends Bank for excellent customer service

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Polaris BAnk

Polaris Bank customer, Ife Michael, who recently aired her concerns on X (formerly Twitter) on a school fees transaction, has commended the Bank for resolving her Complaint swiftly as promised.

 

Ife Michael tweeting via her X handle @V_Ifemichael had called out the Bank for ‘seizing’ her funds as sent from a UK University where she had sought admission.

Polaris Bank reacted promptly to her Complaint and engaged her to explain the process and promised to resolve the issue which the Bank did swiftly.

An apparently elated Ife Michael went back to the micro blogging site to recount her experience with an update on her earlier thread of how the Bank swiftly resolved her Complainant.

The Bank, according to her update “responded and reached out to explain in details the guidelines underpinning FX transaction as it relates in particular to International payment.

In her tweet, Ife Michael expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank’s swift action and transparent communication. According to her, the Bank clarified that the situation was complex but assured her that the funds would be promptly refunded to the school. And Polaris Bank did exactly as it promised as it promptly refunded the money to Roehampton University and initiated necessary processes to streamline the refund.

The engagement began when Polaris Bank’s headquarters made the first contact at 11:48 am, and by 3:41 pm on the same day, Ife Michael confirmed that the Bank had successfully refunded the funds and

fulfilled all required procedures. The Bank also took the extra step of writing to the school to facilitate the process.

This positive outcome highlights Polaris Bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction, responsive and excellent customer service, and adherence to regulatory policies. The incident not only showcases effective conflict resolution but also underscores the power of a Bank fostering transparent communication between it and her customers.

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Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United

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Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes held meetings with United at Carrington on Tuesday, but his position remains unchanged and he wants to play for a club in the Champions League and win major trophies. United do not want him to go, however, and Ronaldo has started training with the team having missed the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons.

His potential options elsewhere are limited. Chelsea are not an option anymore, while Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid appeared to publicly rule themselves out this week. “As we’ve seen on Instagram, Ronaldo has been keeping fit, so there are no concerns from Manchester United over his fitness or physical level; he’s one of the fittest players in world football.

“Ultimately, The Portuguese forward did state his desire to leave Old Trafford, but he’s running out of options, and it seems like he’s actually going to have to stay. Perhaps he will try and swing it where the 25 per cent pay cut in his contract will be waived away by United, perhaps he wants to manoeuvre and muscle a new deal, we’ll have to wait and see. But it doesn’t look like Stamford Bridge is on his cards.

“Chelsea have distanced themselves from a deal for Ronaldo, as have Bayern Munich, Napoli and a lot of other elite clubs that Jorge Mendes, who is Ronaldo’s agent, has tried to sell him to. “An offer from Saudi Arabia is astronomical but ultimately, it does not give Cristiano Ronaldo what he wants, which is that legacy. He wants to achieve Champions League records that he thinks no one else will be able to attain in the future.

“He wants to sign off at the absolute highest level. Now, it looks increasingly like he will have to stay at Manchester United because there are no biters from the big clubs.

“Everyone has their forwards already, and Chelsea, who are the only club looking like they could actually potentially be spun by what Cristiano Ronaldo offers off the pitch because we were told that Mendes, while being in front of these clubs, was putting forward his numbers in terms of social media influence, sponsorship that he rakes in, the commercial gain of his shirt sales and stuff like that. But even they now say he is not in their plans. Their immediate aim is to strengthen the defence.

“So, that leaves Ronaldo really with not many choices. We know that he does want to be competing at the highest level so if he does go to Saudi Arabia that cuts against everything he has said and everything we actually know about him and his career.

“Manchester United have always been very calm and very comfortable. They have insisted he is not for sale, and he will see out the last year of his contract. How they manoeuvre this now going forward we’ll see, but Ronaldo is keeping fit, so they have no issues or problems or fears over what state he’ll report back to pre-season in.”

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CONVOCATION: GRACE NATION BIBLE INSTITUTE GRADUATES 120 STUDENTS

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-you must remain a good Ambassador of Christ- Chris Okafor

No fewer than 120 certified Trained Prophetic students of Grace Nation Bible Institute graduated today after they have gone through rigorous prophetic training by the best Teachers Supervised by the anointed servant of God Dr. Chris Okafor. The student was presented with their certificates at the special convocation ceremony held at the International Headquarters of Grace Nation(GBI) in Ojodu Berger Lagos Nigeria. According to the Rector of the institute, they satisfy all requirements and conditions to be awarded a diploma certificate in various fields of Prophetic and Bibles knowledge.

In his words of Encouragement, the President of Grace Nation Bible Institute, Dr. Chris Okafor remarks that he has no doubt in his mind that all the students are well-trained judging by the level and capacity of all the resource Personality who lecture them, train and retraining them to face any challenges that come there ways,
The Apostle of altars also challenged them to be a good ambassador of the school to the outside world through soul-winning to the kingdom of God.

The Generational Prophet of God also remarked that as you have all learned, you must put the name of a school in good repute and always ready to work for the Lord at any time

Some of the course covered in the 8weeks program includes Evangelism and soul-winning, spiritual development and Human Management to mention but few

The highlight of the convocation was the Presentation of Certificates to all the students, according to the Rector all the students perform excellently well

Earlier in his sermon, the Senior Pastor Grace Nation and the Generational prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor teach on the series, ”The Covenant Day of Settlement” said settlement comes when you fulfill all the Principles of Settlement,
the man of God said nothing come free but when you applied the principles and follow it diligently you will easily get a settlement on all side

The realm of the Prophetic witnessed another higher dimension of Prophetic movement and deliverance through the Set Man, the Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor, He visited many family altars and set many captives free, he also delivered people with blood-line diseases while delivering miracle babies to expectant mothers

The service came to a close with a special Prayer for the Set Man, the Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor who will be making another birthday tomorrow, 4 April 2022.

 

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