NDLEA COURSE 1 OFFICERS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TODAY
NDLEA COURSE 1 OFFICERS CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY
– Holds Virtual Meeting to Commemorate It
Ayo Olowonihi
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Armed with the resolution of the Vienna Convention of 1988, the Federal Government of Nigeria, promulgated Decree No 48 which formally established the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to lead the nation’s war against illegal drugs production, trafficking and consumption.
With the enabling law in place, the Ibrahim Babangida government wasted no time in setting up the administrative structures of the new counter-narcotics agency. In his desire to set up a professional and world class counter-narcotics agency, President Ibrahim Babangida shopped for and appointed the highly cerebral Fidelis OYAKHILOME who then, had just retired from the Nigeria Police as a Deputy Inspector General as the first Chairman Chief Executive of the Agency.
DIG Oyakhilome, like a man on a mission, quickly assembled a team of highly experienced men and women, from all the law enforcement agencies, but especially from the Nigeria Police to form the rank of officers on the front line in the battle against illegal drugs trafficking and consumption. A man with his eyes on the future, Oyakhilome a perfectionist and an astute administrator, in order to consolidate the new agency and ensure that it could withstand the volatile structural changes accompanying regime change in Nigeria, again quickly began the process of recruiting young men and women into both the officer and junior cadres of the operations department of the Agency. The rigorous recruitment processes resulted in the enlistment of 117 young Nigerian university graduates, who began training on the 15th of June, 1990 as Assistant Narcotics Superintendents (ANS) Course 1/90. These were to form the bedrock of career officers to lead Nigeria’s war against illegal drugs trafficking and consumption.
30 years later, these pioneer set of officers are today celebrating their journey through the very difficult terrain of counter narcotics fights.
Whilst many of the initial 117 officers have departed the Agency for other pastures, those that have remained have distinguished themselves and have achieved giant strides. Three of these officers are today Directors, with many others as State Commanders and heads of Special Operational Commands of the Agency. Others who left the Agency have also attained leadership positions in their new callings both in the public and private sectors. Indeed, ANS/1/90 Officers have great reasons to thank God for His faithfulness and mercies upon them, and for the great privilege of being parts of the first building blocks of the NDLEA.
Several grand reunion activities earlier planned to celebrate this milestone have had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and its associated challenges. However, ANS/1/90 officers will today be holding a virtual meeting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their career in NDLEA. This virtual meeting is expected to be attended by coursemates from all parts of the globe.
In his anniversary message to his coursemates, the General Number One (G1) of the Course, Mr Ayo Peter OLOWONIHI, now a Director with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) expressed gratitude to God for sparing their lives. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of coursemates who have answered the glorious call. Mr Olowonihi also thanked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for the opportunity given to them to serve Nigeria. He prayed for God’s guidance and wisdom for the current Chairman/Chief Executive, Management and other personnel of the Agency.
AD MOLTUS ANNOS.
Long live, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Long live ANS/1/90 Officers.
Ayo Peter OLOWONIHI
G1
ANS/1/90.