Victor Ezeja
Concerned about the increasing menace of drug abuse, especially on campus, the Youth Friendly Resource Centre, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), is set to launch a sensitization campaign to tackle the problem.
The centre which is under the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University is organising a symposium to formally launch the campaign on Tuesday, 27 June 2023 at 10 am.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe theme of the event which will take place at UBA Hall fame in the University is ‘Nigerian Youths, Illicit Drug Abuse and National Development’.
A statement signed by the host and Director of the Youth Friendly Resource Centre, Professor Okey Ikeanyibe, said the Chairman of the occasion is Professor Obinna Onwujekwe of UNN. Vice of the University, Prof. Arizechukwu Igwe is the chief host. Special Guest of Honour is Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Speakers include Dr Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Youth Empowerment; and Dr. Aranotu S.M. of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Speaking on the aim of the campaign, Prof. Ikeanyibe said it is geared towards addressing the growing trend of illicit substance abuse by youths on campuses in recent times.
He said: “Although, the campaign on drug trafficking and abuse has been a popular routine in Nigeria and has a number of revered government agencies like the NDLEA dealing with the problem, the disastrous effects of illicit drugs seem not to abate, but is rather worsening in the country. With the debut of Mkpuru mmiri, and its very short-term disastrous impact on some youths in various communities, our attention has been drawn to the damaging effect of illicit drugs in our society.
“Indeed, the rate of substance abuse is gradually becoming quite unbearable among the youths in the country. Researchers have also pointed to the fact that the hallowed University and tertiary institutions’ environments in the country are fast becoming havens for chemical abuse and substance dependence.”
He lamented that with the growing rate of youth addiction to hard chemical substances, “the future has become so gloomy for the generation of youths of Nigeria as many have become deviant, anomic, and devastated.
“This constitutes a waste of critical assets to national development – human resources. There is also a significant increase in crime and threat to national security. These are obviously buoyed up through drug addiction,” He added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
