NDLEA Begins Documentation of Former Cannabis Growers for Empowerment in Ondo

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced the documentation of former cannabis growers in Ondo State as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at encouraging a transition to legitimate livelihoods.

The exercise began on Monday in Ifon community, Ose Local Government Area, with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), represented by the Coordinator of the agency’s Alternative Development Unit, Dr Jonah Kolo.

Community leaders and residents, including members of the Ifon community led by Chief Ogelenyi Chukwunwike, were present at the event which marks the first phase of the programme designed to support former illicit cannabis cultivators.According to the agency, the documentation will be followed by the distribution of a trailer load of fertiliser—about 600 bags—and the disbursement of ₦20 million as seed funding to each of three pilot communities: Ifon, Ilu-Abo and Eleyowo before the end of the week.

The initiative is part of NDLEA’s Alternative Development programme aimed at helping former cannabis growers adopt lawful agricultural activities.