Our Correspondent
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-NSA) as part of the national action plan to ensure the prevention of counterfeit medicines, use of medicines for terrorism, banditry, violent extremism and to help curtail the illegal drug trade in the country.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye stated this during the signing of a MoU at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser.
She said the MoU signed between the two Agencies is significant to the country in terms of death reduction and obliteration of future plans of young minds that drugs captured.
“Drug abuse or substance abuse alters minds” she said.
The MoU stated that the cooperation is to ensure that potential hazardous chemical threats that could pose adverse effects with attendant consequences to lives and properties of the citizens are adequately managed.
The MoU will also ensure that the use of hazardous chemicals for malicious intent by non-state actors for development of Weapon of Mass Destruction is prevented.
Prof. Adeyeye thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser for always identifying with NAFDAC and assures the National Counter Terrorism Centre of a more strengthened partnership.
On his part, the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu Garba Laka said the MoU represents a commitment to shared goals, mutual support and effective cooperation.
It signifies our dedication to leveraging our respective expertise, resources and capabilities to strengthen our response to terrorism, prevent radicalization of and protect our society from the devastating impact of violent extremism.
Major General Lake added that the partnership with NAFDAC enhanced information sharing, intelligent cooperation, capacity building and joint operations.
In his words “by combining our efforts and forging a united front against terrorism, we are better equipped to confront this multifaceted challenge and uphold the safety and security of our country”.
