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Illicit drugs use complicating security challenges, says Bayelsa government

By Julius Osahon, Yenagoa
09 October 2018   |   3:41 am
Bayelsa State government, yesterday, lamented that indiscriminate use of illicit drugs by youths is making Nigeria’s security challenges more complex.The deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah...

Bayelsa State government, yesterday, lamented that indiscriminate use of illicit drugs by youths is making Nigeria’s security challenges more complex.The deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd.), stated this when he gave audience to members of Course 27 of the National Defence College (NDC), Jaji, Kaduna State.He noted that youths under the influence of drugs like tramadol, codeine, marijuana, among others, have become nuisance, as they were used to foment trouble and chaos in the society.

NDC deputy commandant, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, who led the delegation to Government House, Yenagoa, noted that Course 27 comprises of 130 participants and 17 allied participants from Brazil, Nepal and India.Describing this year’s course theme ‘Youth Management and National Security’ as apt, John-Jonah called on relevant authorities, including security agencies, to adequately educate the citizenry on security challenges facing the nation.He said: “The theme is apt. Security challenges in the country are getting more complicated and the ready tool are the youths. If you are not able to understand and study what is happening to the youths, in most cases your estimate may never be correct.

“At the moment, the challenges are becoming more complex because of rampant use of drugs by youths all over the country, not only in Bayelsa State.“Those under the influence of drugs can easily be mislead to become nuisance to the community and then crime rate will increase; they become less useful to themselves as well as the society.

“If you do not educate the people, security challenges will go up. The person who understands the implication of the action he is taking is less likely to be led astray than somebody who has been given opportunity. So I am very happy that this year’s study has to do with the issue of security; a serious issue in our country today.”

He enjoined the members of Course 27 to be thorough and unbiased in their research in the state and furnish the government with a detailed report, to enable it improve on its developmental and structural policies and programmes.

The deputy governor expressed appreciation to the military forces for their sacrifice, commitment to national security as well as professional conduct, and called on the Federal Government to provide the needed logistics to enable them perform optimally.

“For the participants, we wish you well. It is one of the best things that could happen to you; to pass through the defence college. I had been there. If you take the course seriously, at the end of the day, you are no longer the same person.“We expect your research to be thorough and unbiased. Tell us as it is, but let it be based on evidence, so that as a state we will learn something from it to improve. That is the only way you can say you have impacted on society,” he said.

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