In the fight against the menace of narcotics and illicit drugs use, an aide to Imo State Governor, Chief Ezechukwu Nnamdi Obonna has called on Imo citizens to join hands with Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Governor, Imo State
Chief Obonna who is the Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drug Monitoring made the call recently during the maiden stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Narcotics and Illicit Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention’ held in Owerri, the state capital.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for his commitment in creating the bureau on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, which is first in the history of the state.
The SA said: “As Imolites, it is incumbent on us to support our amiable and performing governor in this crucial fight to eradicate this menace from the entire communities in Imo State, and it is very important to know that our governor Is highly committed to this campaign, and he has shown his commitment by creating my office which is the first in the history of our dear state.
“As stakeholders in this global campaign of drug and substance abuse prevention and eradication, we must make meaningful contributions to enable us come out from the dialogue with a clear blueprint document on the approach to address this menace to match the commitment of the governor.
“Government has taken the lead and we must complement the effort with the mindset that foreigners will not do it for us, and we must take our destiny in our own hands”.
Continuing, he expressed optimism that the dialogue had brought together committed critical stakeholders towards combating the addiction and would provide suggestions and solutions to the identified problem areas.
Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, Imo State Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilance who represented Governor Hope Uzodimma praised the commitment of the governor in fighting the menace by appointing the Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring.
He stated that the Sen. Uzodimma is determination and promise to build rehabilitation centres in each of the three (3) senatorial zones of the state.
Dr Ugorji thanked participants at the dialogue for coming and pointed out the governor’s giant strides in road construction, rehabilitation of health centres, empowerment of youths, adding that the governor is ever ready to do more in the state.
The Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, who was also represented by his colleague for Owerri-North State Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum, assured of the Assembly’s partnership with the relevant ministry, agencies and parastatals to reduce the incidence of dangerous drugs in the state.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ann Ukachi Madukwe, proffered a number of solutions to the menace, which include control, sensitization, advocacy, prevention, treatment, and collaboration with nongovernmental organisations, private sectors and the media, among others.
Key stakeholders who sent in goodwill messages includes; the Commissioner of Police; Comptroller of Immigration; Controller of Nigeria Correctional Service; the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Nigeria Customs and Exercise; Director, Department of State Security Service; and former House of Representatives member, Hon.Bede Ekeh.
Lamuwa Shehu, the Deputy State Commander, Operations and Training, NDLEA Imo State Command, also presented a paper.
Highpoint of the dialogue was the inauguration of an 8-Man Communique Drafting Committee by the SA, Chief Ezechukwu N Obonna. The committee is a draft a communique to evolve a lasting blue print towards addressing the pandemic.
Members of the Communique Drafting Committee include; Representatives of the NDLEA, Police, Army, Civil Defence, Correctional Services, Customs, Immigration and the National Orientation Agency and the academia.
The committee is to be headed by Dr. Anayo Uhiara, the Dean of General Studies at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State.
