FG TO YOUTH: STOP TAKING DRUGS AND DRUG SUBSTANCES THAT WILL HARM YOU

By Onomiguren Agbamu

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians, youth in particular, to stop taking drugs and other substance abuses just as he reaffirmed his commitment to tackle the menace of drug prevalent abuses in Nigerian youths.

He noted that his administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the War Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria is won.

In his address by Minister of Information and Culture Mr. Lai Muhammad who was ably represented by Mrs. Menunat Idu-Lah, Director of international cultural relations, federal ministry of information and culture/ tourism disclosed this in Asaba Delta state during the opening ceremony of a two day Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO), organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO).

The minister said, the federal government is aware of the high rate of drug abuses especially among Nigerian youths, that urgent measures have to be taken to address the menace.

He commended the Executive Secretary and Management of the NICO for initiating the Roundtable and keeping faith with its diligent implementation over the years, saying that the focus of this year’s edition with theme, “Culture, Drug Abuse and the Future of the Nigerian Youth”, brings to the fore a number of critical issues which should be taken seriously at all levels.

He appealed to parents, guardian and relevant stakeholders to help play their role in educating the youths about the consequences of drug abuse.

Also in his address, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NICO, Mr. Mohammed Yahuza said that 40% of Nigerian youth are deeply enforced in drug abuse.

He added that , ” the United Nations Office on Drug Control reveals that Nigerians youths consumes drugs three times higher than the global average Statistics and that the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also shows 29.4million Nigerians abuse drugs.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, also was represented by commissioner and directorate of culture and tourism, Engr. Lawrence Ejiofor, said there is need for reorientation and sensitization of the youths against drug and drug substance.

“This is just one of the approaches to tackle it. We need to adopt so many approaches, we go to the schools, secondary schools, higher institutions, put it into drama, act it up and implement it.”