By Muhammad Iliyasu Garba
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has reassured of his administration’s commitment towards the fight against drug abuse among youths and women to secure their future for a more prosperous society.
Governor sule made this known during a 2-day North Central National Sensitization Workshop 2024 organized the House of Representatives committee on Narcotics in collaboration with international service limited held at the Aliyu Akwe Banquet Hall Government House Lafia.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abdullahi sule explained that he has taken lead among youths that needs proper engagement of all stakeholders to manage the menace in North Central and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor sule assured the committee on narcotics drugs of the House Representatives and other partners for coming with the idea of sensitizing Nigerian youths on the dangers of Narcotics Drugs particularly on female gender as government will not allow their future to be tempered, noting that such attitude of drug addition will affect the socio-economic and peace initiative in the country.
He said the 2 day workshop is apt as some Nigerian youths are engaged into drug abuse and other harmful substances,while assuring the House of Representatives committee on narcotics drugs that he present its demands before the Nigerian Governor’s forum for the implementation of the sensitization across the country.
The Governor appreciated the committee for kick-starting the workshop in Nasarawa State will a view to brainstorming on the challenges of drug abuse and way forward to arrest the menace among youths,as according to him these negative behavior have contribute to insecurity, including armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics Drugs of the House of Representatives Abbas Adigun said the essence of the sensitization workshop was to interact with major stakeholders to see ways to address the menace of drug abuse among youths particularly on women because the issue has become dangerous to the future of the nation.
He stated that the committee is seeking the support of Governor Abdullahi sule as well as other key partners particularly NDLEA to sensitize the public on the harmful effect of drug abuse on the lives of youths.
In her welcome address the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Rufa’i Ibrahim welcomed the committee on narcotics drugs and the participants, stating that the issue of drug abuse is a major concern not only to parents, but to the government at all levels.
According to her, study shown that women are not left behind on this menace in which has negative implications on their lives in general.
Contributing, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rt) who spoke through Emir of Azara, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Musa assured the committee on narcotics drugs of the House of Representatives of the support of traditional institutions to arrest the devastating effect of drug abuse, revealing that drugs has injected some youths into social vices in the society.
He said, if women are involved into hard drugs it is more dangerous because of their role in the society, urging the stakeholders to put hands on deck in the fight against such negative attitude of abusing drugs.
Justice Bage retired said there is need for a State of emergency on narcotics drugs and should be capture in the school curriculum to make society free of drugs and trafficking.
Drug abuse among Nigerian youths particularly on women has become a major challenge in the country that requires stakeholders engagement and contributions in the fight against narcotics drugs.
The theme of the sensitization workshop is “committee participation critical stakeholders support and House of Representatives committee on narcotics drugs as essential partners in the fight against drug abuse among female gender and the youths in Nigeria.