TheCable

Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been appointed into the presidential advisory committee on the elimination of drug abuse.

The president has inaugurated the committee which has Buba Marwa, former military administrator of Lagos state, as its chairman.

Buhari also inaugurated the ministerial steering committee, which is headed by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

The ministerial steering is charged with the responsibilities of integrating drug abuse issue into extant government policies and new initiatives and provides strategic direction and guidance on drug issues.

Inaugurating the committees at the presidential villa in Abuja, Buhari called for the setting up of state implementation committees.

“This is a situation of emergency and we must face and address it as such. Many adolescents going to schools experience mental health issues, either temporarily or for a long period of time. Some become insane, cannot remain in schools and eventually drop out,” he said.

“Drug and alcohol abuse are also major occupational hazards among Nigerian workers, professionals, notably drivers, which contribute to making Nigerian roads particularly dangerous. The drugs that are commonly abused include but not limited to alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, Tramadol, codeine, etc.

“Today marks the beginning of another milestone in correcting the root cause of some of the ills of today’s society in order to safeguard our common existence and guarantee a brighter future for our current generation and those yet on born.”

Buhari commended his wife for her commitment towards the eradication of drug abuse in the country.

Critics of the current administration have argued that the wife of the president is involved in some activities of the government as against the promise made by her husband.

In the buildup to the 2015 elections, Buhari promised to abolish the office of the first lady because it is not provided for in the constitution. He had suggested that the ministry for women affairs should be allowed to play its role unhindered.

Although, there is officially no office of the first lady, the functions of that office are still being carried out by the wife of the president.