Drug Abuse - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Wed, 2024

Foundation mobilises 500 FCT students to fight drug abuse

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By Philip Yatai

Al Masaareef Foundation, working to address gaps in education, healthcare and sustainable development, has mobilised 500 secondary school students to fight drug abuse among youths in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The foundation’s initiator and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hauwa Wambai, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at its Rise Above Conference with the theme, “United for a Drug-Free Life”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Wambai explained that each of the 500 students, drawn from 62 wards across the six area councils of the FCT, would be expected to train five other persons.

She added that each of the five would also train at least one person; a strategy expected to reach at least 2,500 youths with key messages against drug abuse.

Describing drug abuse as a menace to society, the founder says it also robs drug abusers of their integrity and self-respect.

According to her, drug and substance abuse leaves parents traumatised and devastated, while the youths, who indulge in the practice, are usually affected educationally, economically and socially.

“This is why today’s message is ‘Rise Above: United for a Drug-Free Society’.

“This means that the drug fight is not only for the NDLEA, who have the mandate to fight drugs in Nigeria.

“It is a societal issue that concerns parents, traditional rulers, religious rulers, the students themselves, and non-governmental organisations among others.

“So, united we stand at the community level, at the national level and the individual level.

“We all have to join our hands together to fight drug abuse and totally eradicate it in our society,” she said.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the prevalence of drug and substance abuse was higher among people between the ages of 25 and 39 years.

“This is the productive age group of any country. So, we are in a big mess with drug abuse in Nigeria.

“We need to start doing something as soon as possible,” said Marwa, who was represented by Mrs Chizoba Etuka, the agency’s Assistant Director, NGO and Liaison.

The NDLEA boss said efforts were ongoing to prevent, educate and treat drug abusers.

He identified prevention as the key to winning the war against drug abuse, adding that prevention should, however, begin early enough by catching the youths at younger ages.

“We are going to schools to educate students because we want to catch them young; we don’t want to wait until it becomes a big problem.

“We are being proactive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Josie Mudashiru, founder, JAM Intervention for Vulnerable Children and Climate Change Initiative, identified partnership as critical to reducing the prevalence of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

Expressing concern over the rate of drug use among youths, Mudashiru says it is not enough to keep saying the children or the youths are the future of Nigeria.

“If we don’t do anything about it now, then we will not have who to hand over Nigeria’s future to.

“We want to try to catch them young so that they will know the effects of drug abuse and stay away from it,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Moses Solanke

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Tue, 2024

Business , Defence/Security

Drug abuse destroying Nigeria’s future leaders – Etsu Kwali

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By Philip Yatai

Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu of Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says Nigeria’s future is at stake following the high rate of drug abuse among the youths.

Nizassan expressed the concern in Abuja on Tuesday, at a one-day Rise Above Conference, with the theme, “United for a Drug-free Life.”

The conference was organised by Al Masaareef Foundation, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), targeting more than 500 secondary school students.

He pointed out that Nigeria was losing potential future leaders who were addicted to drug and substance abuse.

He said that the prevalence of drug and substance abuse was alarming, not only among the youths, but even adults, particularly parents.

“Unfortunately, even some of the mentors and educators ate into drugs and it has become conventional that nobody sees anything wrong with it.

“The songs that we listen to today are promoting drugs.

“Drug abuse is prevalent everywhere, in the market, it’s in mosques, it’s in churches, in villages and in the government; it is everywhere.

“Until we decide to be concerted in our efforts towards dealing with drug related issues, our nation will not have the leaders that will take over this country tomorrow,” he said.

He said that the key stimulant to insecurity in the country was drug abuse, adding that a lot of persons were making money out of it, “yet, it is destroying the fabrics of this nation.”

The royal father advised students to be among persons that would rise above drug abuse, responsible for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s problems, particularly insecurity.

Nizassan said that insecurity had continued to stall development in the country because the problem of drug abuse, its key stimulant, had not been addressed.

According to him, stakeholders must stop paying lip service to drug abuse and be deliberate about addressing the menace.

“First, we need to crack down all the channels where these drugs are made available.

“As stakeholders, we need to wake up to our responsibilities and tackle the challenge, from where the drugs are produced to where the end users are.

“We all have roles to play at various stages of the supply chain, and when we wake up to our roles, we will be able to address the issue of drugs squarely.

“Until stakeholders wake up to their responsibilities, Nigeria will not be able to address the problem of drug abuse that is already affecting the future of children in the country.”

At community level, the royal father said that community leaders have a role to play in changing the narrative through concerted advocacies against drug abuse.

“We will continue to speak to our people, speak to our women, to our children, and our religious leaders,” he said.

Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Al Masaareef Foundation, Dr Hauwa Wambai, said that the 500 secondary school students were being mobilised to fight drug abuse among youth in the FCT.

Wambai explained that each of the 500 students, drawn from 62 wards across the six area councils of the FCT, would be expected to train five persons.

She added that each of the five persons would also train at least one person, adding that the strategy was expected to reach at least 2,500 youths with key messages against drug abuse. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Mon, 2024

Education , Metro

Patience Jonathan advises female students against prostitution, drug abuse

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By Philip Yatai

Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has advised schoolgirls against prostitution and drug abuse.

Jonathan gave the advice in Abuja on Monday, at the National Female Students Conference and launching of maiden Magazine tagged, “The Face of Women’s Libbers.”

The event was organised by the National Association of Female Students (ANFS) as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.

Represented by Mrs Safiya Ogo, Director-General, Women of Change Initiative, the former First Lady noted the involvement of young girls in all kinds of social vices.

She identified some of the ungodly activities as drug abuse, prostitution, girl child trafficking, alcoholism, cultism, cybercrimes, indecent dressing and rituals among others.

Jonathan, adopted as the Grand Matron of ANFS at the event, described the development as “worrisome”, adding that such absurd actions were taking a toll on young girls, particularly female undergraduate students.

“These practices are undoubtedly barriers to the achievement of the goals and aspirations of these girls and women.

“We also have had reports of young girls who are victims of yahoo’ rituals, resulting mostly from the crave for quick wealth.

“This craving for quick wealth can be achieved through hard work and selflessness, while maintaining one’s dignity as a woman,” she said.

Jonathan, therefore, urged the female students to shun prostitution, drug abuse and all manner of vices but instead, be role models with dignity as women, wives and mothers.

She advised the ANFS to embark on a massive campaign to sensitise female students, including the males, to remain focused and law abiding for them to excel in their chosen careers.

“You are not only the future mothers and wives of this country, but also future leaders, businesswomen, heads of parastatals and captains of industries.

“We live in a competitive world, therefore, in preparation for your future role, you must be well equipped and excel in your various professional callings.

“One way to equip our girls ahead of these positions is the girl-child education. This is because education is the key to development,” she said.

Also, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration, stressed the need to celebrate the potential, resilience, and achievements of girls everywhere.

Benjamins-Laniyi, who was also adopted as the Matron of the association in FCT, described girls’ education as the cornerstone of societal progress.

According to her, education unlocks opportunities, breaks cycles of poverty, and fosters inclusive growth.

Similarly, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, founder, Helpline Social Support Initiative, advised female students to continue to raise their voices for change through positive activism.

Ahmadu, however, stressed the need for the students to be serious with their academics and aspire for greatness.

Earlier, the National President of ANFS, Omoniyi Alice, said that the event was organised to discuss the future of female students across the world.

This, according to Alice, will ensure that female students are given every opportunity to succeed.

“We live in a world that is rapidly changing, and it is essential that we adapt our education system to meet these changes.

“As the future leaders of our society, it is crucial that our female students are given every opportunity to excel and be able to compete on a level playing field, free from discrimination or unfair barriers.

“We must also provide our female students with the resources they need to succeed. These include access to quality education, mentorship programmes, and scholarships.

“It is our responsibility as educators and leaders to ensure that our female students have the tools they need to succeed,” she added.

Alice equally called on relevant stakeholders to promote a culture of inclusion and respect for women in schools and universities.

“This means creating an environment where women feel safe and supported, where they are valued for their contributions and their ideas.

“We must also challenge the traditional gender roles that have limited women’s opportunities in the past,” the president said.

On her part, the founder and pioneer president of the association, Safiya Sarki, said that ANSF was established to give female student a voice.

Sarki explained that the move was in response to the male-dominated National Association of Nigerian Students, where only two seats were reserved for females out of the 15 leadership positions in the association. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru