LAGOS MAJORITY LEADER, HON. S.O.B AGUNBIADE DECRIES MENACE OF DRUG ABUSE IN NIGERIA, SAYS ACT IS CONTRIBUTING NEGATIVELY TO NATION'S DEVELOPMENT. ...Ikorodu Monarch, Community leaders, others charge parents to be watchful of their children.
The Lagos State House of Assembly Majority Leader, who's representing Ikorodu Constituency 1, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Aquila Events Centre, TOS Benson road, Ikorodu, decried the menace of drug abuse of Nigerian youths, saying the act is contributing negatively to the nation's development.
Speaking at the 7th annual Stakeholders meeting, the erudite lawmaker, eloquently commended the residents of Lagos and Ikorodu Constituency 1 in particular, for their resilience despite the economic challenges brought about by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, unfolding the negative effects of drug abuse on the youths and national development.
"Drug abuse in our society had long been source of grave concerned to the leadership and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, for which we had exhaustively debated and passed various resolutions to address the menace, such as "Need to Curb the sales and consumption of Hazardous Liquid Substance (Sokudaiye) in the State in year 2019", and calling on the State Government to embark on "Anti-Drug Campaign for all secondary Schools in Lagos State in 2020," Agunbiade revealed.
"It is not far fetched to draw a similar conclusion between drug abuse and vicious attack and destruction of lives and properties by some people during the EndSars protest across the country in the year 2020, which left many properties worth billions of naira in ruins, particularly in Lagos State. We have also heard about the menace of some youths in some parts of the state terrorising their communities," the lawmaker added.
Agunbiade, however charged his constituents to look for how to decrease in drug abuse, gradual discouragement among the youths and continuous sensitization. He further enjoined the community and religious leaders to work in concert with the government for the common good of the society, by saying "No To Drug Abuse and Drug trafficking" and equally ensure safety of all in the neighborhood.
While making his submission, the Area Commander, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ikorodu, Mr Lawal Isiaka Opeloyori, said drug can be abused when you use drugs that are legally prohibited like concain, cannabis, heroines and others, noting that drug can equally be abused when it is not medical necessary.
"The government is trying its possible best to eradicate the use of drug abuse through the legislative approach with the establishment of a separate agency to fight against drug abuse and trafficking. I urged the youth to desist totally from this urgly acts to avoid being prosecuted," the NDLEA Boss warned.
Addressing the gathering, former Commissioner for Information and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, said the drug abuse among Nigeria youth calls for immediate attention, noting that the damages have been affecting not only their academic pursuit or professional career, but to there lives, because most of them are dying prematurely, while lots are at rehabilitation centers and psychiatric hospitals.
"The only way we can eradicate drug abuse totally among the Nigerian youth starts from the parents because an adage says "Charity begins at home". So parents must be watchful and observant that any little changes in the usual characters of a child, should know something is wrong, Elesho concluded.
Mrs Olufunmi Oshinowo Bashorun, a community leader, said in her remarks that the theme, 'Increasing Wave of Drug Abuse' will create awareness, especially at the grassroots, noting that the rate at which the drug abuse is escalating is alarming especially among the youths.
"The only way we can curb the using of drug abuse among our youths is combating it in multiple ways, because some of the youths are out of school, while some are in school, so we need to do more at the level of the parents. We really need to educate the parents and the guardians of the youths.
"At the family level, in the church, mosque and within the community, every adults should be educated on it, so that the message can be passed down to the younger one. For the youths, stay away from drugs, especially hard drugs because it will destroy your future. You need to be focused and make sure that you are educated or you want to follow the vocational way. Whatever you have decided to choose, you need to do away with drug abuse and remain focused" Oshinowo advised.
In his royal remarks, HRM. Oba Raji Olukayode Balogun, Eweye of Isiwuland, advised parents not to divorce their marriage because it's affect the children's life negatively, urging them to take good care and watch over their children time to time and engage in severe counseling. Also, in the same vein, HRM Oba (Engr.) Bashiru Aremu Sotonwa, tolled in the same line with Eweye of Isiwu.
HRM Oba (Engr) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, in his royal message appreciated Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and the Lagos State Government, for all they have been doing in Ikorodu, stating that the rate of drug abuse in Nigeria is based on the moral and home ethnic, and parents, society and government have a role to play in eliminating drug abuse. "We will call people at the post of authority to arrest anyone that involves in hard drugs," Oba said.
Other notable personalities in attendance were the Chairmen, Ikorodu LG, Ikorodu North and Ikorodu West LCDAs, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Hon. Adeola Adebisi Banjo and Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, with their Vice Chairmen, Hon. Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman IKODASS, Alhaja Kudirat Taofeekat Allison, Iyaloja of Ikorodu and other Market leaders, MD General Hospital, Dr. Taiwo Hassan, religious groups, Councillors, Chiefs and Baales, leadership of the CDCs, Youth Coordinators, Students, ethnic groups, Artisans, amongst others.
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