United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) Representative, Mrs Titilope Ogunluyi has tasked Kwara State Government to sustain efforts in the fight against drug abuse in the state.
Mrs Ogunluyi made the call at the just concluded 2-Day Training on Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Care in Ilorin.
She noted that the sustained efforts would engender a safer and healthier environment.
Mrs Ogunluyi lauded the commitment of Kwara State Government towards ensuring a drug-free society.
Also Speaking, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, said the training initiative demonstrated the proactiveness of the State Government in addressing the growing menace of drug abuse among young people.
Represented by Deputy Director, Drug Demand Reduction, Abuja, Mr. Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim, expressed worry over alarming statistics on drug abuse in Nigeria.
He commended the Kwara State Government for its leadership in addressing this critical issue and for extending an invitation to the Agency to be part of this impactful initiative.
Representative of the Commissioner for Education and Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rebecca Bake Olarewaju, posited that it was high time everyone join hands together to fight the menace of drug abuse in public secondary schools.
The Commissioner commended the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Hon. Aileru Olamilekan Mikhail, for organizing the training for teachers as they would be well equipped to curb the trend of drug abuse in the state.
Earlier in his Welcome Address,Special Assistant on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control to the Governor, Hon. Aileru Olamilekan Mikhail, maintained that the training initiative underscored the visionary leadership of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the fight against drug abuse.
Hon Mikhail pointed that investing in young people is paramount to the progress and prosperity of the state.
The Governor’s Aide thanked institutions that partnered with the state government for the training, including the UNODC, NDLEA, and Maverick Initiatives for their support to the success of the Programme.
The Capacity Building Training put together by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, drew participation from 110 public secondary school teachers across the 16 LGAs of the state.
The session was facilitated by United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) representative Mrs Titilope Ogunluyi and State Commander NDLEA Kwara Hajia Fatimah Popoola.
The training was attended by top government functionaries including the Commissioner for Communication Mrs Bolanle Olukoju; Commissioner for Youth Hon. Shehu Ndanusa; Senior Special Assistant on Communication Hon. Ibraheem Abdullateef; Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs Salami Wasiu Onidugbe; and Special Assistant on Digital Innovation Hon. Kayode Ishola
