Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics (ACGN), Zonal Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Zone H., Dr. Segun Oke has charged Nigerians, members of the University Community, in particular, the students to embrace anti-drug abuse scheme for a drug free society.
Dr. Segun Oke gave the charge while delivering a 79 – slide lecture at the 2-Day Community Service Programme (Social Responsibility) organized by Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University on Thursday, 14th April 2022
The 2 – day Community Service programme commenced on Wednesday, 13th April 2022 with a Sensitization/Awareness Walk round all the Faculties and Schools on the main campus of the University, Ojo, Lagos.
The event themed “Youth and Substance Consumption: Implication on the Nigeria Society” was put together to sensitize members of the University Community on drug abuse. It took place at the 3 – in – 1 Building, Faculty of Education, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
Dr. Oke declared to the students that NDLEA would be partnering tertiary institutions of to further enhance a drug – free society or environment, adding that, the agency was established and saddled with dual responsibilities : drug supply suppression and drug demand reduction.
The Guest Speaker at the grand finale of the event further described all the negative impact of substance abuse on today’s youths which include; memory losses, truancy, difficulty in concentration, poor performance all of which would eventually have severe educational implications.
According to him substance consumption also have negative implication on the society such as; increase in crime rate, banditry, insurgency, among others.
He averred that the processes involve in curbing the act of drug abuse must start from home. “…the family is the nucleus of every society. Parents should be encouraged to get drug education and teach their children as part of health, moral and character development. They should also inform them of the use, abuse and the danger of drugs to individuals and the society.”, he said.
He recommended the following as possible ways to address the menace; establishment of counselling centres for drug control; Government designing curricula on drug education; Campaign against drug abuse by the government at all level and other relevant authorities, and Ban of drugs selling points.
Dr. Oke affirmed that young people who persistently abuse substances often experience an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health -related problems (including mental health), poor peer relationships, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. “…say no to drug abuse, we are the Leader’s of our great nation and let us all help ourselves to live in a drug free society”, Dr. Oke concluded.
The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji – Bello, mni, earlier in her address, commended the organizers of the event (Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences), Dr. Segun Oke, ACGN; Zonal Commander, NDLEA Zone H, and his team for honouring the invitation.
The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Elias Olukorede Wahab said “…in Academic, we work with a tripod; 40% teaching, 40% research and 20% community services. We need a platform like this to sensitize ourselves on the abuse rate of drug amongst the youths and society at large. However, drug abuse can’t be totally removed or eradicated from our society or amongst youth but can be reduced”, he affirmed.
The DVC (Academics) enjoined all to work together in order to have a drug free academic community and society as a whole.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan who was represented by Prof. Olufemi Lawal, Department of Psychology, in his remark admonished the youths/students and all attendees to pay attention to take from the lecture what would be the best for their future, adding that, drug abuse had destroyed many lives physically, psychologically, mentality and all aspects of life. He equally advised young minds to stay out of drug abuse.
The Head of Department, Sociology, Prof. Olabisi Yusuff, in her speech appreciated the Guest Speaker, Dr. Oke for honoring their invitation and all the attendees. She stated further that the Department of Sociology has always been involved in community services, and implored the students and staff present to be more more active in the fight against drug abuse.
In attendance were; The Olu of Imasayi Yewa, HRM (Rtn), Lukman Adeleke Kuoye, Kofoworade Oyesikun 1st, Area Commander, SEME Special Area Command (NDLEA), Barrister Abubakar Wada; Deputy Director, Technical Services (NDLEA) Engr. Stephen Omaighe, Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Adedeji Oyenuga and his team. The event was well attended by the students from the Department of Sociology, other Departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences and students from the various Faculties and Schools on the main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
Dr. Adeyinka Olarinmoye, Vice Chairman, Local Organizing Committee gave the vote of thanks.
