Ogun first lady tasks government, Nigerians on drug abuse
03 July 2021 |
4:03 am
In commemoration of this year’s United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has said achieving a drug-abuse free society....
Bamidele Abiodun
In commemoration of this year’s United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has said achieving a drug-abuse free society is a collective effort that should not be left for the government alone.
At a Town Hall Meeting organised by her Office, Ajose Foundation and Ogun State Drug Control Committee, Ministry of Health (OSDCC), she stressed the need for individuals and institutions to jointly handle the menace for a better and secured future for all.
The event themed “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives” was held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. Mrs. Abiodun emphasised the need to focus on information and communication, considering the social media age, noting that many of the young people mirror the actions of their peers online and model their lives after celebrities that they see in music videos and movies.
“Many of these platforms are full of depictions of drug use which is linked to riches and a fashionable lifestyle. The duty of policy makers is to use these platforms to creatively communicate facts about drugs and the danger it poses to the lives of those who engage in their use. We need to leverage the power of the media to communicate a powerful message on illicit drugs.
“One of the aims of this year’s theme of sharing facts is also to combat misinformation about drug use. There are many who think that certain drugs give them boldness and a false sense of confidence. The effect of this is that many of our youths, some as young as 13 to 15 years of age, buy into these lies and start taking drugs early and they become drug addicts even before age 20. Now is the time to focus on more efficient means of reaching our people where they are and in the language they understand,” the governor’s wife said.
In her address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said some 35 million people were estimated to suffer from drug use disorders, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey 2018. She noted that youths are the most vulnerable.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde, in his remarks, listed some of the commonly abused drugs and unconventional substances as nicotine, marijuana, codeine, cocaine, heroine, tramadol, morphine, alcohol, glue, fumes from pit latrine and mixtures of different kinds.
The event had in attendance representatives of youth organisations, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, market women and community development associations, among others.
Related
2 hours ago
The China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) in Nigeria, says no Nigerian has been subjected to discrimination or denied access to the Chinese supermarket. The supermarket is located within the premises of the Royal Choice Estate, Airport Road, Abuja. The Secretary of China Chamber of Commerce, Mr Cui Guangzheng, said this in a statement in…
4 hours ago
President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to conscientiously tackle poverty, inequality and social injustice as root causes of terrorism. He equally canvassed the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre...
4 hours ago
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is grappling with a significant housing shortage for its members across all ranks, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has disclosed.
4 hours ago
As the world marks International Mother Earth, instituted by United Nations, ECO2RUPPERS Africa has unfolded measures aimed at saving Nigeria and other African countries the sum of $70 billion from the impact of plastic pollution.
5 hours ago
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, lamented the sorry state of Niger Delta, saying the region is currently considered the most polluted in the world due to the high amount of spills.
5 hours ago
The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in a petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylvia, against the declaration of Douye Diri as the governor of the state in the November 2023 election.
5 hours ago
Nigerian insurance companies may join banks soon to source for fresh funds to inject into the industry as a staunch advocate of the muted recapitalisation, Olusegun Omosehin, assumes office soon as the new Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission
5 hours ago
All hopes of a speedy reorganisation of the security architecture of the country were dampened yesterday as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, said Nigeria is not mature to operate state governments-controlled police despite...
5 hours ago
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the military to always go after killers of security operatives but spare the communities where the killings took place.
5 hours ago
Afenifere, yesterday, described the call for the exit of Yoruba from Nigeria as undesirable, self-serving and unnecessary.In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, maintained that the problems confronting Yorubaland and Nigeria
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.