joshuaGov Nwifuru’s Wife Wages War Against Drug Abuse In Ebonyi
By Agbo Amauche, Abakaliki
The Wife of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru has declared war against the abuse of drugs and other substances capable of damaging ones life including metaphetamine popularly known as (mkpurummiri) India helm, cannabis, marijuana among others for a better society.
The Governor’s wife gave the indication during an event marking 2024 International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, themed “the evidence is clear, invest in prevention” at Women Development Center Abakaliki, the State Capital.
Mrs Nwifuru who frowned on the high level of abuse of drugs especially illicit drugs among youths in the State, called on Local Government chairmen, town union presidents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and students to sensitize youths on the need to desist completely from abuse of drugs in their various villages, communities and disclosed that her office would launch campaign against the menance across the thirteen LGA’s of the State with the view to totally eradicate the ugly situation in the State.
She noted that prevention is most effective measure in combating drug abuse, adding that research has shown that earlier prevention can effectively reduced the index and charged parents to watch over they friends their children kept as bad friends corrupt good manners.
However, the Governor’s wife called on the security agencies and National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW to assist the State in apprehending hard drugs sellers as well reduce incessant road crashes and commended NDLEA, security agencies and partners for their tireless efforts in fighting drug abuse.
On his part, the Commander NDLEA Ebonyi State Command Peter Ogah noted that drug abuse is imminent and visible across nations of the world and that formed the decision of United Nations to create global awareness on the dangers and effect of drug abuse socially, economically, politically and human Development across the globe.
According to him, the command has arrested a total of 139 suspects, 35 females 104 males. The command seized total of 82.587 kilogrammes of various drugs exhibits. The command counselled 40 clients within the period under review while various cases are pending at Federal High Court, Abakaliki.
The chairman Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharmacist Chioma Okonkwo called for adquate awareness creation, Community engagement, youth empowerement, promotion of evidence base policy making, investment advocacy among others to arrest the ugly situation.
The State Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu commended Mrs Nwifuru for her dogged efforts in tackling drug abuse in the State and called on parents especially those who cultivated indiahelm to desist forthwith and shun smoking it in the presence of their children in their own best interest.
Dr. Obichukwu, however, cautioned youths against intake of Metaphetamine popularly known as mkpurummiri as it does no good than harm, adding that there is no rehabilitation of the substance and urged them to emulate the lifestyle of the Governor of Ebonyi State BLDR Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the betterment of their lives.
Contributing, the SUG president of Ebonyi State University Oshim Tobias Nkwegu pledged to sensitize students towards ensuring that drug abuse is drastically reduced in the University Community.
