In a deliberate move to dissuade studious and productive youths, and other categories of persons from the use of hard drugs in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the commencement of Drug Free Delta (DFD) sensitization campaigns across the three senatorial districts; Delta Central, Delta North and Delta South, respectively.
To achieve the lofty objectives of the state government in her renewed war against drug abuse, and use of hard drugs, the State Orientation and Communications Bureau, was directed by the governor to immediately partner with the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and other stakeholders with a view to dissuading youths, and other categories of persons from the use of hard drugs.
Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, made the disclosure during a public affairs radio programme, saying that the state command of NDLEA officially confirmed readiness to deploy personnel to work with the State Orientation Bureau, plan and execute a result oriented sensitization campaigns that would focus on negative effects of illicit drugs, provide free counselling and rehabilitation services to drug users.
He said the joint efforts of the Bureau and NDLEA is targeted at the youths, especially those in secondary schools and institutions of learning, so as to discourage them from the use of hard drugs, adding that part of the sensitization campaigns shall be to organize inter-school debates on the negative effects of hard drugs, and winners shall be rewarded with handsome prizes and certificate of participation duly signed by officers of NDLEA, and the State Orientation and Communications Bureau.
Oghenesivbe further disclosed that the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has graciously approved the sensitization campaigns against drug Abuse and use of hard drugs, as well as inter-school debates that would give rise to moral values, promote attitudinal change and patriotism, pointing out that the peace we enjoy in Delta is strongly connected to the good governance strides of the governor and counting.
He said Governor Oborevwori, shall remain focused on youth empowerment and productive engagements through greater participation in governance, as can be seen from the numerous appointments of youths into his cabinet, and for ensuring that over eighty percent of local government council chairmen and Vice Chairmen are youths, males and females under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The Bureau Chief assured that the future of every Delta youth is bright, colourful, and no stone will be left unturned to ensure that Delta State is either drug-free, or drastically reduced to its barest minimum, noting that the State Commandant of NDLEA, Abubakar Wada Esq, is working round the clock to raid all red spots where hard drugs are sold and used, especially along Okpanam Road, DBS road and other identified locations in the state capital, and across the three senatorial districts.
“The State Orientation and Communications Bureau, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, will soon commence a state-wide sensitization campaign on the negative effects of illicit hard drugs.
“Use of hard drugs among youths is becoming rampant and worrisome across Nigeria, and Delta State is not an exception. Our Youths are very precious to the State and the governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. Government will continue to do the needful within her powers to boost the colourful destinies of our young men and women.
“His Excellency, the Governor, has graciously given the State Orientation and Communications Bureau a marching order to commence state-wide sensitization campaigns in collaboration with the state command of NDLEA. The federal agency wrote officially to confirm their readiness and willingness to partner with the state government through the Bureau.
“NDLEA shall provide experienced resource persons within the agency, to drive the campaign strategies, while the State Orientation and Communications Bureau shall ensure that the structures needed and the logistics are in place.
“We hope to back up the sensitization campaign with massive publicity and media relations, relying heavily on our media partners. Result-oriented awareness shall be created to drive the process.
“There shall be inter-school debates on the negative effects of the use of hard drugs. The NDLEA shall provide counselling and rehabilitation services for hard drug users, free of charge, while the state government would organise vocational and skills entrepreneurship training programs for rehabilitated victims, and also assist them in setting up businesses that would turn their lives around positively, and become well-respected entrepreneurs as against wayward life of drug addiction.
“Governor Oborevwori will continue to invest substantially in the future of our youths in Delta State. Youths are well represented in his cabinet, and as the State party leader of PDP, he ensured that over 80% of council chairmen and vice Chairmen are youths, with 23 women Vice Chairmen in this dispensation. Gender balance in government has come to stay under PDP in Delta.
“As we know it today, governor Oborevwori is doing the needful to boost the colourful destinies and financial fortunes of Delta Youths through multifaceted job and wealth creation programmes and strategies,” Dr Latimore said.
