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School abductions threaten education access in Nigeria, warns Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All
Halima Mahdi, the Gombe State and North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All CSACEFA, has condemned the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren in Nigeria. She stated that these attacks on schools pose a significant threat to the future of education in the country. Mahdi's warning comes amidst a resurgence of insecurity, with a recent police report indicating 50 bandit attacks within one week. Pupils, students, and teachers abducted from schools in Borno and Oyo states remain in captivity. Public schools in Oyo State have been closed for about a month due to demands from the Nigerian Union of Teachers for adequate security measures. Mahdi emphasized that the persistent abductions are creating fear, discouraging access to education, and undermining efforts to improve school enrollment and learning outcomes. She warned of severe social and economic consequences if the safety of children and educational institutions is not guaranteed, highlighting the dangerous combination of rising out-of-school children and youth unemployment. Mahdi called on federal, state, and local authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity, secure the release of abducted children, and prioritize protecting children and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.
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Must Read馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路1 hour ago
Global drug crisis: Nigeria faces alarming rates of substance abuse
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking highlights a growing global crisis, with approximately 316 million people worldwide using illicit drugs and 64 million suffering from drug use disorders. This increase is attributed to population growth, expanding synthetic drug markets, and sophisticated trafficking networks. Cannabis remains the most consumed illicit substance, while cocaine production has reached record levels. Synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and pharmaceutical opioids are also prevalent, particularly in West and Central Africa. Nigeria faces a particularly severe situation, with 14.3 million Nigerians, or 14.4 percent of the population aged 15 to 64, involved in drug abuse, nearly three times the global average. Cannabis is the most abused drug in Nigeria, with over 10 million users. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA seized drugs worth N134.2 billion in 2024, including a significant methamphetamine haul valued at $362.92 million N480 billion. A disturbing trend is the increasing involvement of women, who constitute one in four drug users in Nigeria. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic opportunities are key drivers of substance abuse. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasized that drug abuse is a multi-dimensional problem affecting public health, security, social stability, and economic productivity. Nigeria's strategic location as a transit point for international drug trafficking further exacerbates
馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路1 hour ago
Sweden's smoke-free success highlights tobacco harm reduction benefits
Sweden is nearing its goal of becoming Europe's first smoke-free society, with adult smoking rates at approximately 5.6 percent. This achievement is attributed to a public health strategy focused on tobacco harm reduction, which distinguishes between combustible and non-combustible nicotine products. Many nicotine users in Sweden have transitioned from cigarettes to reduced-risk alternatives, such as snus, a traditional smokeless tobacco product. This shift has led to Sweden having the lowest smoking prevalence in Europe and among the lowest incidences of smoking-related illnesses, including lung cancer. The Swedish experience challenges the assumption that meaningful progress in tobacco control can only come from complete cessation, demonstrating that significant public health gains can be achieved when adult smokers switch to reduced-risk alternatives. This approach provides lower-risk options for individuals who may not quit immediately or entirely, leading to reduced exposure and improved health outcomes. The success in Sweden also underscores the importance of informed choice, where individuals, understanding the relative risks, opt for lower-risk products. While the World Health Organization maintains that all tobacco and nicotine products carry health risks, Sweden's trajectory suggests a need for a more nuanced, evidence-based approach that acknowledges the continuum of risk across nicotine products. Sweden's success is rooted in a pragmatic alignment of science, beha