Worried about the spate of crime among youths in the state, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Community Development, Hon Taju Isichei, on Thursday, organized a stakeholders’ sensitization programme on drug abuse and related crimes.
The event, which took place in Asaba, was attended by representatives of law enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
Also at the programme were the member representing Oshimili South in the State Assembly, Hon Bridget Anyafulu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor; two former Chairmen of Oshimili South Local Government, Hon Izuka Okolo and Dr. Kelvin Ezenyili; community leaders, women, youths, representatives of the Arewa, Yoruba and Igbo communities in Asaba, among others.
In his opening remarks, Hon Isichei, popularly called IKUKU, traced the prevalence of criminal activities in the society, especially drug abuse, to lack of meaningful engagement of youths.
He noted that most of those involved in crimes were unemployable young men and women who chose to while away their time when they needed to build their future.
The EA lamented that drug abuse, armed robbery, kidnapping, land grabbing, cultism, among other crimes, fueled by lack of the zeal to acquire proper education, had robbed the contemporary Nigerian youth of great opportunities of making it in life, leaving them with the option of seeking short cut to success, usually induced by criminal activities.
Hon Isichei listed areas where drugs are sold in the State Capital Territory to include Umuezei, Ezenei Avenue, Cable Point, Jaret, opposite Thermocool, by Swiss Spirit on Okpanam road, Akpu junction, also on Okpanam road, citing the consequences of drug abuse to include premature death, pain for loved ones, incarceration, breach of the peace, bad image to the family and community, among others.
While challenging law enforcement agencies to go after drug dealers and their customers, the EA said curbing drug abuse and related crimes was not insurmountable, stressing that with collective action, dialogue and aggressive enlightenment, sustainable solutions and positive transformation were achievable.
In their contributions, the member representing Oshimili South in the State House of Assembly, Hon Bridget Anyafulu; a representative of the Asaba Police Area Command, SP Obi; and Mr Christopher Ojei, who represented the PRO of the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, commended Hon Taju Isichei for his interest in a drug and crime-free society.
They called on parents and guardians to devote more time to the upbringing of their children and wards, asserting that good parental care could do a lot in keeping children in check and engender moral values.
For his part, the immediate past Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Dr Kelvin Ezenyili, urged NDLEA to show greater commitment to the war against drug abuse by ensuring that persons arrested were thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, pointing out that releasing suspects almost immediately after arrest was not good for the society.
Dr Ezenyili spoke on the need for the Agency to have offices in Asaba and other parts of the state to bring them closer to the people and make the war against drug abuse easier.
The highlight of the occasion, which featured questions and answers, was a presentation on drug abuse, other crimes induced by it and the consequences of drug addiction by a NDLEA officer, Chukwuekwu Grace.
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