From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has advised parents across the country to embrace proper upbringing of their children that would enable them become useful citizens and desist from all forms of vices and criminalities.
The governor gave the advice while speaking at the Grand finale of this year’s one week long celebration of the United Nation’s Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, held in Lokoja on Wednesday, with the Theme: The Evidence is Clear; Invest In Prevention.
The governor who was represented by Secretary to Government of Kogi State, Dr Mrs Folashade Ayoade, noted that involvement of youths in social vices and crimes depended largely on their tender age of upbringing by their parents.
Ododo called on every Nigerian, both young and old, to join hands with government and security agencies in the fight against drug abuse, kidnapping, robbery and other social vices through proactive active sensitisation of the youths on preventive measures.
“Drug Abuse to the best of my knowledge is a serious obstacle to people’s physical and mental health which they should resist the temptation of fallen into the danger of the menace” the governor warned
He promised to sustain the prevailing preventive and enlightenment campaign measures in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency against drug abuse in Kogi saying that prevention is better than cure.
Earlier in his welcome address, Kogi State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Monday Anyebe commended Governor Ahmed Ododo’s administration for giving priority to prevention of drug abuse and ensuring that our youth have access to the resources required to thrive.
According to the Commissioner, the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo through his Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders will continue with this advocacy, to ensure that our people are adequately sensitised about the dangers of drug abuse.
The Commandant of Kogi Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Umar Mustapha Yahuza lamented that the greatest challenge of his organisation to function effectively has been that of hostility from some communities in the state and lack of operational vehicles amongst others.
He however, hailed Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo for provision of logistics support to NDLEA Command in Kogi in its task to end drug abuse.