NOA, NAPTIP, NDLEA TAKE ANTI SUBSTANCE ABUSE & IRREGULAR MIGRATION CAMPAIGN TO IMO SCHOOL

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Youths have been urged to shun drug abuse, irregular migration, cultism and other forms of social vices to enable them to contribute meaningfully towards the growth of the society.

The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari, gave the charge during a sensitization against substance abuse, human trafficking, cybercrimes and other antisocial behaviours organized for students of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri.

Dr. Abari represented by the Imo State Director of the Agency, Mr. Nazzy Njoku, noted that youths were the backbone of every society, hence there was the need for them to imbibe the nation’s core values of integrity, patriotism, self reliance and religious tolerance, which were prerequisites for national development.

The Commander National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Imo State, Mr. Ernest Ogbu, expressed worry about the rising cases of human trafficking and exploitation of persons in the state and called on youths to be wary of those who lure them to abroad for sexual exploitation.

The Assistant Commandant Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Imo State, Mr. Lamuwa Shehu, noted that more than eight hundred Nigerians were awaiting execution over drug-related offences in South East Asia and appealed to parents to ensure early sensitization of their children to the dangers of substance abuse.

Some of the students, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, expressed gratitude for being part of the programme, which they said had enriched their knowledge.