… Empower member
PARTICIPANTS at a one-day 7th National Youth Summit have resolved to evolve a strategic work plan aimed at combating all forms of drug abuse, addiction as well as negative indulgences among youths.
They emphasised the need to sustain institutional frame-work already in place to check youth restiveness across the nation, even as it empowered one of its members with a commercial tricycle.
The summit was organised by National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Anambra East LGA Chapter, with the theme: “Effects of Drug Abuse on Our Youths and Crimes in the Community”.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr Simeon Ogude urged participants to intensify efforts at discouraging youths from illegal use of drugs.
He added that drug abuse was a silent killer of careers, usefulness and productive potential of youths.
“Concerted efforts must be made by various stakeholders to check increasing cases of drug abuse across the nation.”
Chairman of NYCN, Anambra East, Mr Peter Nnekwe called on the government at all levels and civil society organisations to support the campaign so as to eliminate the use of hard drugs by youths.
“May I inform us that on our own, we have a vital strategic trust and action plan to curb the menace of drug abuse in our locality,” he said.
While commending Gov. Willie Obiano for restoring lost glory of youths by involving them in politics, he enjoined them to reciprocate the gesture by abstaining from all forms of violence and criminality.
Delivering the summit lecture, Secretary Anambra State Drug Control Committee, Christopher Adabo, identified ignorance, pursuit of pleasure, peer influence, advertisement and uncontrolled motive to enhance performance as some factors responsible for youth indulgence in drug abuse.
“Most criminal activities are carried out under the influence of drugs. Youths should not get involved in drug abuse because it leads to drug addiction and from there to drug intoxication.”
Mr Adabo said that boredom occasioned by COVID-19 lockdown contributed to recorded cases of drug abuse by youths, who sought social ventilation.
Deputy National President, NYCN, Mr Innocent Nduanya, advocated strengthening of the institutional framework to tackle indulgence in drug abuse and thanked the leadership of the chapter for staging the event.
He thanked the chapter for empowering one of its members, Mr Elias Iwuno, with a commercial tricycle.
Presenting the tricycle to Mr Iwuno, from Aguleri Otu, adjudged to be the poorest in the community, Mr Nduanya said the gesture showed that youths could empower their members without external support.
Mr Iwuno, while responding said his joy knew no bounds at the kind gesture extended to him by the youth body after 18 years of his membership of the body.
