Ministry urges increased collaboration to combat drug abuse
By Philomina Attah
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has called for robust collaboration among families, faith-based institutions and government to tackle drug abuse, particularly among youths.
Pastor Edwin Etomi, the Senior Regional Overseer at MFM’s Abuja headquarters, made the call at the end of a three-day training on drug abuse, organised in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja.
Etomi said government could not address the menace alone, highlighting the crucial roles families and religious organisations play in preventing, rehabilitating and reintegrating survivors.
He urged the public, private and religious sectors to join forces, stating that “a three-fold cord is not easily broken.
“As governments do their part, families and faith-based institutions must support efforts to reposition our youths and make Nigeria a greater nation.
“The synergy will help to reposition youths, and Nigeria will be greater and envy of the whole black race.”
While urging government not to relent in its efforts but to do more, Etomi also urged the youths to shun all forms of vices.
He added that “it may look subtle and interesting at the beginning, but it is demonic and destiny destroyer. It is not of God.”
On efforts of the Church to address the menace, he said the General Overseer of MFM Ministries Worldwide, Dr Daniel Olukoya, and his wife, Dr Elizabeth Olukoya, were strong believers of the youth force.
He said “our Father in the Lord, Dr Olukoya, has established a rehabilitation centre, fully equipped in Lagos.
“MFM’s ongoing partnership with NDLEA and the establishment of a dedicated rehabilitation centre in Lagos reflect the Church’s commitment to holistic healing spiritually, mentally and physically.
“After helping former addicts physically, they will be reintegrated as productive members of society.”
According to him, the training is to equip participants with practical skills to manage and support victims of substance abuse, moving beyond prayer to therapy and social reintegration.
Etomi encouraged youths struggling with addiction to seek help without fear of stigma, assuring them of support from both government and religious institutions.
The NDLEA Chairman, Retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, stressed the importance of awareness to support those affected.
Represented by NDLEA’s Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Mrs Ngozi Madubuike, he said that families and religious organisations are pivotal in educating young people about the dangers of drug use and fostering positive values.
He expressed hope that with enough knowledge and awareness on drug and drug-related matters acquired during the training, participants should be able to act better toward drug users and be able to prevent drug use among the young people in Nigeria.
Dr Edemma Udoh, the programme organiser and a pastor in the Church, described the train-the-trainer workshop as timely.
Udoh, a Forensic Toxicologist, added that the ministry would continue to partner NDLEA to address drug abuse in the country.
One of the participants, Okunjolu Amodu, said the training has helped the participants to understand cases of drug abuse and how to handle those involved.
Amodu added that “as Christians, wherever we come in contact with such people, we should not tag them as rejected people in the society.
“We should rather see them as people who are useful, and God can use them in His vineyard.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
