EBONYI STATE GOVT HOLDS SKILL ACQUISITION TRAINING FOR 130 YOUTHS

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has shut down 38 clandestine laboratories where crystal meth (Methamphetamine) are produced across the country.

Assistant Commander NDLEA in Ebonyi State, Mr. Godwin Erekpa, announced this at the launch of Skill Acquisition and Training for 130 youths selected across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Skill Acquisition and Training is being organized by the Ebonyi State Government in collaboration with the BERWO foundation of the wife of the Governor with an aim to take about 50,000 youths off the streets.

The NDLEA Assistant State Commander, who spoke on the effects of narcotics on Nigerian youths described crystal meth popularly known as Nkpurumiri in the South East Nigeria as the most deadly hard drug, which had ruined lives of many youths in the country.

Mr. Erekpa urged the youth to desist from drug peddling as it had substantially damaged the image of the country with some countries in Asia and Middle East now insisting that NDLEA profiles Nigerians before they were granted visa to their countries.

The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary Mauldine Nwifuru, explained that the programme was a demonstration of state government’s commitment to secure the future of youths in line with the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.

The State Commissioner for Skill Development and Job Creation, Mr. Okwu Oko-udu, explained that the youth would be trained in tailoring, hairdressing, digital barbing and Alumaco construction.

The participants, including Miss Lilian Uguru, commended Ebonyi State Government and appealed for the expansion of the programme to accommodate more youths.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU