The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju, and the Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Romeo Omoike, have charged Nigerian youths to shun drug abuse and substance misuse, warning that the consequences could truncate their future and dreams.
They gave the charge at the command’s headquarters in Benin City at the weekend, while delivering a lecture titled “Drug Abuse and Substance Misuse Prevention Among Youth” to members of the NDLEA/National Youth Service Corps Drug Free Club, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council.
In his presentation, Ofoyeju educated the participants on the dangers of illicit drugs, the signs of substance abuse and preventive measures, urging them to serve as positive role models in their various communities.
“My advice to corps members at this event is that they should shun the use of illicit drugs due to their damaging effects. I will also implore you to serve as role models wherever you find yourselves,” he said.
Omoike, who commended the NDLEA for its sustained anti-drug abuse sensitisation efforts, charged the corps members to be worthy ambassadors of the War Against Drug Abuse, noting that young people occupied a strategic position in the fight against the drug menace.
In his remarks, the Deputy State Commander of the NDLEA, Victor Isibor, urged the corps members to put into practice the knowledge gained from the lecture.
Speaking after an interactive session, the President of the club, Anyakora Chisom, thanked the NDLEA for the knowledge imparted, pledging that members would remain committed to the anti-drug campaign.
The high point of the event was the presentation of certificates to some outgoing executive members of the club by Ofoyeju on behalf of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (retd.).
Those who received certificates were Anyakora Chisom (President), Omeje Grace Amarachukwu (Vice President), Ebite Henrietta (Secretary), Eloho Veta Harriet (Treasurer), Oyedeji Mariam (Media Officer) and Charles Stanley (member).
A total of 60 corps members, comprising 45 females and 15 males, attended the sensitisation programme, where they committed to propagating the message of a drug-free society.