The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intensified efforts to combat illicit drug use and trafficking through community engagement and the promotion of the Alternative Development Programme in Nimo, Abatete and Ogidi.
The campaign, which seeks to mobilise communities against drug abuse while providing positive and productive alternatives for vulnerable youths, was led by the State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, alongside officials of the NDLEA from its Abuja headquarters and Anambra State Command.
The outreach, held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, is a joint initiative of the Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, through its Value Reformation Project; the Ministry of Health, under the Anambra State War Against Drug Abuse initiative; and the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
Speaking during the engagement at Abatete, Dr Mefor described drug abuse and illicit drug activities as growing threats to society, stressing the need for collective action to address the menace.
He explained that the NDLEA had initiated the Alternative Development Programme, which the state Ministries of Information and Health readily embraced because of its alignment with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s commitment to sanitising Anambra State and safeguarding its people from illicit drugs.
“We will fight it seriously. It’s not just about drug dealers and users. Those here can help get others. Let’s work to save our people. NDLEA will work with the community to help our community,” Dr Mefor said.
The Anambra State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander Charles O. Onubuogu, explained that the Alternative Development Programme was designed to complement conventional drug enforcement measures by providing alternative opportunities and support for individuals involved in drug-related activities.
He called on the community to embrace the initiative and work closely with the agency to ensure its success.
“We need to work together to benefit from this. The programme is to help us because if the community is good, it’s for everyone,” he said.
Commander Onubuogu urged participants to spread the message within their communities, noting that Abatete had the human resources and community structures needed to partner with the agency and accommodate more beneficiaries of the programme.
In his remarks, the President-General of Abatete, Chief Ezebinobi Chinaeme Ezigbo, commended the youths and other community members for their participation and urged them to extend the message to residents who were not present.
He described the initiative as a collective responsibility, emphasising the importance of community involvement in securing a better future for the younger generation.
“The programme underscores the fact that everybody should be involved. We should help ourselves to ensure we hand over the development here to better leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Chief Ezigbo also expressed appreciation to the NDLEA and the state government for bringing the initiative to the community.
The National Coordinator of the NDLEA Alternative Development Programme, Dr Jonas Kolo, disclosed that Nigeria had been recognised by the United Nations as the first country in Africa to implement the Alternative Development Programme.
He further revealed that Anambra was the first state in its zone to commence implementation of the initiative, following the successes recorded in other states.
According to him, the programme is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, with technical support from the United Nations and other development partners.
Dr Kolo explained that the initiative was designed to help restore opportunities and futures threatened by drug-related activities by positively engaging young men and women in productive ventures and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He assured the communities that any support and resources attracted through their participation in the programme would be reinvested in their development.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to greater prosperity, improved livelihoods, sustainable development, peace and security in Abatete and Anambra State at large.
The outreach formed part of the NDLEA’s broader community engagement strategy in Anambra State. The team had earlier visited Nanka, Oraifite and Nkwelle as part of the ongoing sensitisation campaign.