Frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) member and former speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei has said that Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s election as the national chairman of the APC will bequeath unprecedented positive strides to the fortunes of the party.
Ochei, who made this observation in a congratulatory message to the former Edo state governor on the assumption of his new status, hinged his submission on the sterling antecedent of the erstwhile renowned pragmatic unionist.
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Nkem Osu,Ochie said , “my profound elation over your election into this strategic position, stems from your sterling antecedent, which over the years, has portrayed you as a consummate and legendary unionist, pragmatic politician, honest and compassionate patriot, administrator per-excellence, coupled with your unalloyed faith in the supremacy of the Almighty God.
“If these strings of accomplishment are brought to bear on the onerous task, the APC which has been acknowledged as the trailblazing reformatory political party will undoubtedly record another positive milestone in the annals of politics within Nigeria and beyond.
“While stating that this development couldn’t have occurred at a more auspicious time, Ochei implored the Almighty God to avail Comrade Oshiomole of robust health, requisite wisdom; guide his every step, thoughts and plans to fruition, thereby ensuring that the APC maintains its exemplary leadership role amongst its contemporaries”.
Good morning. How was your night? We shall see in the office. Pls, how far have you done with the book project? In this Story I sent, pls, use Hon Ochies photo. Former speaker of Delta State house of Assembly.
Stakeholders in security blame drug abuse on parental and societal failure
Stakeholders in security have declared a state of emergency on drug abuse among the youths.
Security eggheads from all the agencies in the country vowed to synergize in the fight against drug abuse among the youths and to regain the children who they described as “future leaders” from the hands of drug peddlers who are gradually destroying them with drugs.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Edgal Imohimi who spoke at the 3rd edition of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) annual seminar in commemoration of world day against drug and human trafficking, said that all hands must be on deck to fight the war against drug abuse by the youths.
CP Edgal who spoke on the topic ‘stop the stigmatization of ex-drug users and victims of human trafficking ‘ said:” This topic is apt, so security agencies should synergize to fight this battle as the drug barons and peddlers are taking our youths away from us.
If we can’t take back the youths from the hoodlums, we have failed woefully and prosperity will not be fair to us. Our duty should not be limited to enforcement alone, as sensitization is key in managing drug victims.
“The issue of drug abuse has been a major problem. I am pained because in every ten youths you see on the streets, six are on drugs. The most agonizing aspect is that drug peddlers have captured primary school pupils. Drug and crime go together. We cannot allow it to continue this way. In fact, I feel we need to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse.
However, we need to ask ourselves how we got here. Drugs had been there since we were young but the difference is that we had parents that cared. We had family structures but now it has broken down.
“ Societal values are gone. The family is supposed to be a platform upon which every other thing grows. If that family influence is missing, one end up being vulnerable to crime.
“The situation now is that some parents are now afraid of their children. In the olden days, the school used to care about the conduct of students, but now no one cares. Religious leaders should also dedicate time to tell the people the evils of drug abuse. It is only a sane society that listens to the spiritual message.
“We will continue to do our own part. I want a safe environment where our children can grow up to contribute their quota to the development of the society,” he stated.
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, a rights activist who was a guest lecturer at the event also condemned stigmatization on drug users saying that victims shy away from help when they are stigmatized.
“When you stigmatize, you are giving the victim room to continue in drugs. Stigmatisation is described as being bad or having a situation to be ashamed of. When you label a person drug addict or stigmatize him or her, the society will automatically start to develop a fear for the person, mistrust, violence, discrimination and so on.
“The effect it has on the victims are; they fear to come out, delay in seeking necessary help, self-stigmatization and this generates into low self-esteem. Let us develop our lives, community, and identity without drugs,” she said.
She further condemned the act of human trafficking describing it as an abuse of basic rights by organized criminal preying on vulnerable people to make money.
“Victims of drug abuse and trafficking require love, equal opportunity, positive affirmations, employment opportunity, support and assistance towards their recovery.
“To be part of the solution we need research, rehabilitation, reunification, and reintegration,” she added.
In his remark CRAN President, Odita Sunday said that the fight against drug abuse should not be left to agencies alone, as everyone needs to join in the advocacy, adding that victims of drug abuse should be shown love and encouragement as they are fighting a battle within themselves.
“Our youths are being ravaged by drugs. This is one of the reasons Codeine was recently banned. We cannot leave the fight to agencies alone; we need to join in the advocacy to stop drug abuse.
“Let them know there is a better tomorrow. That they were drug users does not mean they are failures. In the advocacy to end drug abuse, stop stigmatization. Once a drug user decides to give up on drugs, show him love and encouragement,” he advised.
Mrs. Tanwa Ashiru, a security expert, and also a guest lecturer at the event said that for a person to push through drug addiction is a challenge that people who have been able to push through deserves our compassion.
“This is just like the situation in the military where some rescued victims were discovered to have joined the insurgents unwillingly. Now they are being reintegrated, as they could not be prosecuted.
“We must create hope and way for the victims. They already fought the battle themselves, why do we now stigmatize.
“Right now, the dominant factor in recent clashes is restive youths turning to other means as it seems the government had abandoned them.
A survival of drug abuse, Mr. Tosin Olaoluwa who shared his experience at the event said that he started taking alcohol and drugs casually when he started Senior Secondary School.
“Casual use became an addiction and it continued like that until I got to the higher institution where I joined a cult group in my first year.
“ When my friends were graduating, I was dropping out. This was not because I was dull but because I was mentally unstable. My life was in a mess.
“My life began to nosedive and I got into wrong relationships. I started living an extravagant life, spending my mother’s hard earned money.
“Later I realized I needed help but there was no one. I began to call on God. It has not been easy as there had been relapses along the line. He said.
He also condemned stigmatization adding that we often do not know how people come into drugs but stigmatize them which makes them go back into what they know best.
Mrs. Sarah Ene, a legal practitioner also a guest lecturer at the event noted that the children are exposed to so much information on social media and as a result needs not to be influenced by people around.
She further advised that parents should curtail the channels of communication between the children and the world
