Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has implored politicians in the state not to destroy the future of youths by introducing them to drug use during election seasons.
Governor Diri also noted that there is a relationship between hard drugs and crime prevalence.
The governor spoke on Wednesday at a symposium organised by the Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to mark this year’s World Drug Day at the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the State capital city.
He said his administration’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse was to produce responsible youths that would take over the mantle of leadership of the State.
The Bayelsa helmsman equally said that the focus on education, skill acquisition, empowerment of small and medium scale businesses and other capacity enhancement programmes for youths was to occupy their minds with gainful ventures and divert their attention from criminal activities.
The governor enjoined all to contribute in efforts toward a drug-free society.
He thanked the Dr. Faith Zibs-Godwin-led committee and others that have contributed to the reduction of drug abuse in the state.
He also commended the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its Country Representative, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, for their efforts in fighting the scourge in Nigeria.
He said reports by the NDLEA and other security agencies showed a downward trend in drug abuse in the State.
“Today, all the accolades we receive are because we have put round pegs in a round hole in the Bayelsa State agency against drug abuse. Members of this committee work as a team and the teamwork has produced a good result,” he said.
The NDLEA, at the event, decorated Senator Diri as its Frontline Ambassador in drug abuse prevention.
The NDLEA Director of Operations, Mr. Samuel Gadzama, presented the award on behalf of the chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd).
Responding, the governor dedicated the award to his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, his cabinet, the drug abuse prevention community, those supporting the fight against drug abuse and the youths.
“Whatever I am receiving today as an award is because they have all worked conscientiously. It is because I also have a team that has done this work with me,” Diri said.
While presenting the award, the NDLEA chairman, Gen. Marwa (retd), stated that it was in recognition of Diri’s contribution towards curbing te menace of drug abuse, which he said was unparalleled in the country.
“You are a frontline Ambassador on drug abuse prevention. Thank you for what you are doing for NDLEA in Bayelsa State,” Marwa said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, advised youths to desist from drug abuse and avail themselves of the education and skills acquisition opportunities provided by the Prosperity Administration in the State.
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, called on the federal government to introduce marine safety corps to tackle criminality in the sea borders to curb the influx of drugs into the state.
