ABIA TO PARTNER NOA TO FIGHT ILLICIT DRUGS AND OTHER CRIMES

REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards provision of adequate security of lives and property of residents of the state.

Governor Ikpeazu made this known in a message at a one day National Security sensitization campaign against political thuggery, kidnapping, drug addiction and violent extremism in Umuahia.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chris Ezem, Governor Ikpeazu noted with concern the rising cases of insecurity across the country.

The Governor noted that his administration had put adequate measures in place to tackle the ugly menace in the state.

He said government would not relent in its security architecture and urged the people to join hands with the state government in the fight against crime, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, drug addiction and thuggery.

The Governor pledged to partner the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in making the programme a huge success.

The Director NOA in Abia State, Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu, said the programme, which centered on building a people of peace, could not have come at a better time than now when federal government was currently grappling with many challenges rapidly, a situation that was stagnating national development.

She urged youths to embrace federal government’s poverty alleviation programmes and shun get-rich quick syndrome as such had led many to destruction.

In a key note address, a Methodist Bishop, Dr. Sunday Onuoha, noted that the prevelance of conflicts manifestating in religious intolerance, political thuggery, kidnapping, drug addiction and violent extremism, were some of the greatest threat to peace, unity, security and development of the country.

He advocated the removal of state of origin from curriculum vitae as it would go along way in bringing unity and oneness in the country.