NDLEA ON INSPECTION VISIT TO CEPEJ

Center for peace and environmental Justice (CEPEJ), a foremost Non-governmental and Non-profit organization received a delegation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) inspection team at her Abuja operational office on Monday, 4th March 2020.

The inspection team comprising of two NDLEA staff from PSO department in charge of NGOs and civil societies dealing in drug demand reduction Mrs. Christiana Ighekpe accompanied by her assistant in charge of NGOs trainings, research and statistics enquiries, Mrs. Matsomi Fumilayo.

The inspection visit is centered on the facilitation of CEPEJ’s registration with the Agency as it is part of the agency’s policy to visit offices of intending CSOs working in the areas of drug demand reduction who wish to register with them.

While briefing the National coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sherriff Mulade and his Abuja staff, Mrs. Christiana ighekpe disclosed that the visit is to inspect and to ascertain if CEPEJ is indeed an existing, functioning and a registered civil society organization or a mere name coined for the purpose of profit making disguising to be an NGO.

Mrs. Christina reiterated that, “the inspection is to foster and facilitate your registration process with us as this is a mandatory exercise we carry out with all CSOs that intend to work with us on drug reduction activities”.

Commenting on the importance of their visit, Mrs. Fumilayo said, that the Agency will be there for CEPEJ whenever their supports are needed and also assured that NDLEA identity cards will be issued to CEPEJ staff after undergoing necessary trainings, sensitizations usually organized for members of CSOs by the NDLEA, as she further revealed some genuine ways CEPEJ can trail to forward the activities of her organization.

Mrs. Fumilayo lauds CEPEJ on their good works, clean, organized office space and environment. In her words “indeed your organization is real and from what we have seen here you can always call on us for support and we will gladly oblige you our support.

The National Coordinator, CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, while welcoming the visiting officers appreciated the commission’s efforts in its facts finding mission to its office in Abuja. He stated that CEPEJ has existed for over 20 years and has spread with offices and staff across the nation. He expressed CEPEJ’s willingness to collaborate with NDLEA to combat drug abuse, buttressing also his interest and willingness in lending CEPEJ’s staff nation wide to partner in the war on drugs reduction. He expressed immense confidence in the NDLEA as a commission.

The environmental expert and peace initiator and advocate remarked that the war on drugs is succeeding and genuine CSOs should join in this noble task. He expressed confidence in the current management of the NDLEA, appreciating the commission’s resilience and tenacity to combat and overcome challenges noting that his organization rightly appreciates the commission’s efforts in ensuring that the Country is relatively free from drugs.

The coordinator also disclosed his intention for another courtesy call to the NDLEA Chairman and members of his team.