Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State has called on parents and communities to collectively tackle the menace of drug abuse among youths in the country.
Elegushi made the call at a symposium organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapter, on Thursday in Lagos.
The symposium was part of the agency’s 2023 Press Week with the theme, “Drug Abuse and Nigerian Youths: Effects and the Way Forward”.
The traditional ruler was represented by the Aro of Ikate Kingdom, Chief Olalekan Bakare.
Drug abuse among Nigerian youths today is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention.
“We can see the devastating effects today that is rippling through families and communities; the futures of these young generations are being affected.
“The police are having to deal with a whole lot of these issues and so, many blames come to them.
“It is time for us as parents, families, communities to unite and tackle this problem head on,” he said.
The oba said that the easiest way to tackle the menace was through awareness, advocacy, and talking about it.
He commended the agency for organising the symposium, saying the programme was part of the awareness and advocacy strategy he highlighted.
He urged students present at the symposium to resist peer pressure into abusing drugs.
“We have to talk to you, the students; you need to understand that you do not have to fall for any peer pressure; because your friend does drugs, does not mean you have to do drugs.
“Also, that you can sing, and you want to be a star does not mean you have to take drugs for you to be able to sing properly.
“You can sing without taking drugs; be a good athlete without taking drugs; you can be anything in life without taking drugs.
“Parents, once again, a whole lot is in our hands; let us all help these kids for the better of this country, “ Elegushi said.
In his remarks, the Acting Managing Director, NAN, Mr Abdulhadi Khaliel, urged other unions to emulate NUJ NAN chapter in bringing lots of initiatives to enhance the welfare of staff.
“The relationship between management and unions is for the welfare of staff; we are not making any promise, but we want to give the assurance that whatever we can do to improve the welfare of staff, we shall continue to do it, “Khaliel said.
(NAN)
