ASABA/Nigeria: After spending more than three decades on the frontlines of Nigeria’s campaign against substance abuse and rehabilitation, Commander of Narcotics Chinyerem Eziaghighala has called for greater collaboration among government agencies, religious bodies, private institutions and communities to tackle the country’s growing drug abuse problem.
Eziaghighala, who retired from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after 35 years of service, said the fight against drug abuse has become too complex for any single institution to handle alone, stressing that sustained partnerships are essential to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
The appeal came as the Lagos Strategic Command of the NDLEA honoured the veteran officer during a retirement ceremony attended by serving and retired officers, public officials, church leaders, family members and associates who celebrated her contributions to the agency’s counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
Throughout her career, Eziaghighala served in several capacities within the anti-narcotics agency, rising to become Deputy Commander in charge of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation at the Lagos Strategic Command. Colleagues described her as one of the officers who helped strengthen the agency’s non-enforcement responsibilities through rehabilitation, counselling and public enlightenment initiatives.
Representing the Commander of the Lagos Strategic Command, Abubakar Wali, the Commander of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Muhammad Tukur, said Eziaghighala distinguished herself through professionalism, commitment and compassion in the discharge of her duties.
According to him, her years of service have left a lasting impact on the agency’s efforts to combat drug abuse, particularly in supporting individuals undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.
“You are known for excellence, and your dedication has inspired many people. The work you have done is a service to humanity, and we encourage you to continue contributing to the campaign against drug abuse even in retirement,” Tukur said.
Deputy State Commander of the Lagos Strategic Command, Oladosu Bashir, also commended the retiree, describing her as a dependable professional whose contributions to counselling and rehabilitation programmes had positively influenced both officers and beneficiaries of the agency’s intervention services.
Speaking on behalf of the family, her husband, the Venerable Dr. Josiah Eziaghighala of the Anglican Church, Aguda, Surulere, thanked the NDLEA for the support extended to his wife throughout her career.
He said the increasing rate of substance abuse in society requires a united response involving government institutions, faith-based organisations, private treatment centres and community leaders, noting that lasting success can only come through collective action.
Reflecting on their 31 years of marriage, he described his wife as someone who successfully balanced the demands of public service with family responsibilities, adding that he would continue to support her humanitarian efforts after retirement.
A former church warden, Ben Duru, praised Eziaghighala’s dedication to church activities despite the pressures of her career, expressing confidence that retirement would provide more opportunities for her to expand her service to humanity through faith-based and community engagements.
Responding to the tributes, Eziaghighala thanked colleagues, friends, church members and family for the recognition accorded her, describing her years in the NDLEA as fulfilling.
She said retirement marks the beginning of a new phase of service and expressed her readiness to remain involved in advocacy, counselling and initiatives aimed at reducing drug abuse and supporting rehabilitation across the country.
