Afrigather Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday mentioned his administration is deploying totally different methods and investing in people-oriented programmes that encourage younger individuals to comply with noble paths and keep away from drug abuse and different social vices within the state.
The Governor was talking in Ilorin on the 1st Kwara Stakeholders Summit on Drug Abuse Prevention and Management, which was themed “Forging a Widespread Entrance within the Struggle in opposition to Drug Abuse”.
The summit was organised by the Workplace of the Particular Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Management, Hon. Aileru Olamilekan Mukail.
Attended by dozens of younger individuals and keynoted by totally different specialists on narcotics, the programme featured panel discussions, cultural show and drama.
Prime attendees included Senior Particular Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Management Ms Rinsola Abiola; state parliamentarians, cupboard members, and prime authorities officers.
The Governor mentioned the session was designed to work together, study, and make makes an attempt at proffering options to the social drawback.
“We perceive that drug abuse has totally different roots, together with idleness and lack of course in life. It is because of this that we’re deploying totally different methods to stop crimes,” he mentioned.
“Our investments in people-oriented interventions up to now 4 years are designed to create the enabling setting the place our youth are gainfully engaged and concerned in productive endeavors.
“The institution of the Innovation Hub, Visible Arts Centre, Garment Manufacturing facility, Movie Manufacturing facility, Shea Butter Manufacturing facility, steady help for the IVTEC, Kwapreneur, and overwhelming help for youth improvement are supposed to obtain related functions.”
Represented by Commissioner for Social Growth Hon. Afolashade Opeyemi, the Governor mentioned the multi-pronged approaches his authorities deploys are yielding optimistic outcomes.
“We’re very intentional within the marketing campaign in opposition to drug abuse. The latest appointment of Honourable Aileru Olamilekan Mukail as Particular Assistant on Drug Abuse and Prevention is predicted to drive the method,” the Governor mentioned.
“On the finish of this occasion, I sit up for a wealthy communique reflecting sturdy interactions, ideas, suggestions, and sensible options drawn from specialists, youth leaders, useful resource individuals, and skilled contributors who’re attending the summit.”
Different dignitaries in attendance included the Commander, NDLEA Kwara state and one of many keynote audio system, Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim; heads of different safety companies; Government Director World Initiatives on Substance Abuse, Dr. Martins Agwogle; youth corpers; and the scholars.
Ms Rinsola, for her half, mentioned the disturbing fee of substance abuse within the nation requires that every one arms have to be on deck to sort out the problem by decreasing its prevalence amongst younger individuals.
Explaining the important thing mandate of her workplace which incorporates selling civil engagement and driving worth among the many youth, the President’s aide mentioned drug abuse will not be solely intently linked to extreme well being danger and dangerous behaviour, but additionally hinders abusers from contributing meaningfully to nationwide improvement.
“A number of younger individuals, particularly those that have inventive skills, declare that hashish helps them to pay attention and be inventive. However what they don’t perceive is that 80 % of psycho-cases associated to drug abuse really come about because of utilizing hashish,” she mentioned, calling for fixed sensitisation of drug addicts and younger individuals on the attendant penalties of their act.
“Additionally they point out that hashish improves urge for food and focus. However that’s within the early stage, as a result of the impact it has in a while tends to be disastrous,” she added.
She recommended the efforts of Governor AbdulRazaq in combating the social vice by totally different methods, saying his workplace is open for collaboration with the state authorities to collectively stem the tide of drug abuse within the state and Nigeria as a complete.
Aileru mentioned in his welcome deal with that the occasion was one other platform to share information, alternate concepts, and forge concrete motion plans, asking all stakeholders to leverage collective knowledge to unravel the roots of drug abuse, develop efficient prevention methods, and guarantee accessible therapy and rehabilitation for these struggling.
“This summit will not be a one-day occasion; it’s the daybreak of a motion — a motion that transcends particular person backgrounds, affiliations, and ideologies. It’s about shared goal, about safeguarding our youngsters, our households, and our future,” he mentioned.
NDLEA Commander, Kwara State Command, Bashir Ibrahim Muhammed, who spoke on “Drug Regulation Enforcement in Kwara: Progress, Challenges and Means Ahead”, mentioned the alarming fee of drug abuse among the many youth in Nigeria and notably in Kwara State requires concern of all of the stakeholders.
He thanked AbdulRazaq for his help up to now and pledged that the company will strengthen fixed schooling, enforcement, and rehabilitation programmes to rid the state of drug dependancy.
He mentioned the command will quickly start coaching of trainers in communities, who he mentioned will comprise group and non secular leaders within the state on methods to stop and management drug abuse.
Dr Agwogie, who spoke on “The Journey of Drug Management in Nigeria: The Gaps and Means Ahead “, mentioned it takes a holistic method to win the battle in opposition to substance abuse, suggesting that states and native governments ought to represent drug abuse management committees for better outcomes.
He mentioned that quite than simply arrest and prosecute offenders, the federal government in any respect ranges also needs to inquire into why individuals abuse medicine.
Nearly all of addicts are ignorant concerning the danger of their indulgence, he added.
Contributors, resembling youth corpers and college students, took turns to applaud the federal government for the programme, and noticed the necessity to intensify the sensitisation marketing campaign, introduce stiffer penalties and prohibit celebrities in opposition to brazenly smoking Indian helms, amongst different measures.
