From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
Kwara state first lady, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq has expressed her sadness that Kwara state is taking the lead in the prevelance of drug and substance abuse in North Central.
Mrs. Abdulrazaq added that this frightening development is not acceptable to the state government.
She made this disclosure at the weekend in Ilorin, the state capital at programme organised for secondary school pupils by Evergreen Global Initiatives. The programme was dubbed ‘speak out against drug abuse.’
The governor’s wife was represented by the state Chairperson of Drug Control Committee Barakat Olanrewaju.
Mrs. Abdulrazaq added that “because of this, the state government has started funding the activities of the state Drugs Control Committee. We have been mandated to reach out to the nooks and crannies of the state. Currently the committee is running a programme with the state chapter of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The programme is tagged war against drug abuse (WADA). WADA was launched last year June and the state government has taken ownership of it.
“The drug control committee is in partnership with the office of the Kwara state First Lady. We have gone to over 300 secondary schools in the state on the same issue of campaign against drug abuse. We have discovered that what we need to inculcate in our children is self-esteem. Most of our young ones get lured into drug abuse because of low self-esteem.
“We are also working with traditional and religious leaders as well as youth groups at the community level.”
Earlier, Founder of Evergreen Global Initiatives Queen Nimat Siaka said the programme was to challenge the young adult and the girl child to stay focused and have a mind of their own.
Ms Siaka urged the secondary pupils to be strong willed and never be easily influenced by any form of peer pressure .
She said that: “Drug abuse and any other form of illicit drugs are very dangerous acts and could hinder any individual from achieving his or her dreams as it kills faster than death itself.
Other special guest speakers spoke from their various field of specialty and related it to the case of drug abuse and how indulging in it can cause more harm than good , they encourage the students to always speak up when it’s necessary .
Hundreds uniforms were distributed to the those who needs it most among the students , Exercise books were distributed and some students also got scholarships.