Nigeria has joined other African countries in a renewed push for stronger regional cooperation against drug trafficking and related crimes, with Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to Austria and the International Organisations in Vienna, Dr. Florence Ajimobi, participating in the 33rd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLEA-Africa).
Ajimobi attended the high-level meeting at the Vienna International Centre alongside Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), CON, OFR, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The four-day meeting, which began on Tuesday, September 8, is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and brings together senior drug-law enforcement officials from across the continent.
According to Ajimobi, her participation at the meeting provided an opportunity to engage with African counterparts on strengthening collective responses to the growing challenges posed by illicit drugs.
She said Nigeria remained committed to working with countries across Africa and other international partners to promote security, justice and sustainable development.
Ajimobi made this known in a statement following her participation in the meeting, describing it as an honour to be part of a gathering focused on strengthening cooperation among African drug-law enforcement institutions.
The 33rd HONLEA-Africa is scheduled to run from September 8 to 11 at the Vienna International Centre.
Its agenda includes discussions on regional and subregional cooperation in addressing the world drug problem, implementation of recommendations from the previous meeting and follow-up on international drug-policy commitments.
Working groups are also expected to examine specific drug-control issues, while participants will consider arrangements for the next meeting of African heads of national drug-law enforcement agencies.
For Nigeria, Ajimobi’s presence at the gathering comes as part of her wider diplomatic responsibilities since assuming office as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the international organisations in Vienna.
Her posting places her at Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in a city that hosts several major international institutions, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, making engagement on transnational security, justice and development issues an important part of her assignment.
Ajimobi said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners across Africa and beyond to confront drug-related threats through stronger cooperation and coordinated action.
Her participation alongside the NDLEA chairman at the Vienna meeting also underscores the importance of diplomatic engagement in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships in the fight against illicit drugs and transnational organised crime.
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