By Bliss Okperan
The Shehu of Borno, Mr Abubakar Elkanemi, has called for drug tests for intending couples as part of conditions for the conduct of weddings, emphasising that, “This will discourage a lot of young people from going into substance abuse.”
The prominent monarch in the state made this call when the chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Buba Marwa, paid a three-day working visit to the state.
The traditional ruler assured the NDLEA chief that all the 59 district heads under his emirate and the Chief Imam of Borno, Mr Zanna Laisu Ibrahim Ahmad, who was present at the meeting, would go back to their domains to implement the idea, including setting up drug control committees in their communities.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Governor of Borno State, Mr Babagana Zulum, said the state government would support the aspiration of the agency for a drug-free society.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said Mr Zulum acknowledged his guest’s inspiring leadership qualities everywhere he had served, including the state.
He assured the NDLEA boss of the readiness of his government to strengthen and enlarge the existing collaboration in the interest of law and order as well as humanity.
On his part, Mr Marwa, who said it was positive to clear all the 27 local government areas of the state of drugs, celebrated the Governor for his achievements in office, adding that everything must be done to drastically reduce demand for illicit drugs and cut down access and availability of such substances.
He explained that he was in Borno State for a war against drug abuse advocacy and mobilize relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya