The students’ wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has cried out over the indiscriminate use of illicit drugs among all classes of Nigerians.
It said from authoritative sources, over 50% of Nigerian students in variuos campuses consume psychotropic substances.
The national coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, made the assertion at a ay public lecture with the theme, “Advancing Ethical Student Leadership and Cohesive Drug – Free Learning Environment,” held at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
He warned that unless urgent actions are taken by stakeholders in the Nigeria project, the future of the country would be in jeopardy as illicit and drug abuse had become prevalent across the campuses.
He said the youth as future leaders should be guided through the inculcation of ethical nuances in their lives, adding that Nigeria has a role to play in shaping the behaviour of the youth.
He said the unwholesome use of illicit drugs among students in the Northern part of the country is alarming ,saying the figures of drug abuse and drugs supply chain should be checkmated before it gets out of hands.
He noted that the ugly trend was not restricted to only the students but to all classes of Nigerians both the male, female, young and old , rich and the poor , making Nigeria one of the highest consumers of illicit drugs in the world.
He said, the group as a way of mitigating the effect , solicited for the support of schools authorities to set up drug free clubs and establish counselling units in their institutions.
He added that this training cut across tertiary institutions in the Northern Nigeria aimed to sensitize and create awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs and drug abuse , stressing that the group is working hard to institutionalise accountability and ethical standards among all strata of Nigeria society.
In the same vein, the national coordinator South West , Comrade Hassan Adanu said,since , leadership begins with the youth and students,it is important for them to be nurtured and mentored in a highly ethical standards in order to produce a responsible society.
He noted that the drug abuse has become prevalent among Nigerians and if not tackled frontally the country is set to face the consequences of societal dislocation.
He explained that the CNG has decided to create awareness and sensitisation in all the nooks and crannies of tertiary institutions across the North so as to catch them young before it becomes endemic
He called on parents, religious bodies, opinion moulders and stakeholders to partner with the group to fight the scourge that is about to destroy the very fabric of the foundation of Nigeria.
In a paper delivered by Dr. Abaukaka Onimisi he noted that although Nigeria is blessed with human and minerals resources, the ingredients that makes a country great, Nigeria is bedeviled with unethical behaviours that has created huge concerns to the people.
He said the lack of needed ethical values among those occupying leadership positions in all strata of the society was responsible for poverty, insecurity, and unemployment across the country.
He opined that for Nigeria to achieve greatness, it must prioritize the essence of moral values, purposeful leadership and to ensure cohesive learning environment in which the future generations would be groomed for the task of nation building.
Similarly, an associate professor Mary Onoja warned against drug abuse saying the consequence outweigh the temporary benefits of belonging to the fads.
She cautioned students to steer off the peer pressures, and not to accept personal self low esteem but rather focus on those things that enhances their studies which will make them better members of the society
In a remark, CSP William Aya, head of IG monitoring Unit, urged the participants to avoid the use of illicit drugs and drug abuse to make the society a better place for the citizenry.
He said , drug abuse and illicit substance consumption is at the root of crime and criminality in the country.
He commended the organisers for the training as it will create awareness and sensitize the people about the consequences of the use of drugs.
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