Mobilisation Campaign Against Illicit Drug Abuse In UNN

The Youth Friendly Resource Centre of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is planning a symposium to launch sensitisation and mobilisation

campaign against illicit drug abuse on campus and its environs.

The theme of the symposium, which holds on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at UBA Hall of Fame, University of Nigeria Nsukka, at 10am, is ‘Nigerian Youths, Illicit Drug Abuse and National Development’. Zoom/Physical Presentation holds at the ICT Complex, Zenith Building, UNN, on June 28, at 10am.

The Youth Friendly Resource Centre cordially invites the University Community to the symposium.

In a statement, the host and Director of the Youth Friendly Resource Centre, Professor Okey Ikeanyibe, said the Chairman of the occasion is Professor Obinna Onwujekwe of the University of Nigeria. Special Guest of Honour is Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Speakers include Dr Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Youth Empowerment; and Dr. Aranotu S.M, of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Chief Host is Professor Charles Arinzechukwu Igwe, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Professor Ikeanyibe noted, “Although, the campaign on drug trafficking and abuse has been a popular routine in Nigeria and has a number of revered government agencies like the NDLEA dealing with the problem, the disastrous effects of illicit drugs seem not to abate, but is rather worsening in the country. With the debut of Mkpuru mmiri, and it’s very short-term disastrous impact on some youths in various communities, our attention has been drawn to the damaging effect of illicit drug in our society.

“Indeed, the rate of substance abuse is gradually becoming quite unbearable among the youths in the country. Researchers have also pointed to the fact that the hallowed University and tertiary institutions’ environments in the country are fast becoming havens for chemical abuse and substance dependence. There is conflicting report about the percentage of the Youth population that is engaged in illicit drug abuse. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) in her 2021World Drug Report noted that 14.4% of those between the age of 15 to 64 abuse drug in Nigeria. At some point, officials of NDLEA believe that the prevalence could be as high as high as 40% of Nigerian Youths between the ages of 18 to 35. The future has become so gloomy for the generation of youths of Nigeria as many have become deviant, anomic, and devastated. This constitutes waste of critical asset to national development – human resources. There is also significant increase in crime and threat to national security. These are obviously buoyed up through drug addiction.

“The Youth Friendly Resource Centre, University of Nigeria is gravely worried by this situation and convenes a National Symposium/Conference for the purpose of adding its voice to the concern about the devastating effect of illicit drugs on Nigerian Youths. The key objectives of the the 2-Day Symposium are:

1.Sensitization and mobilisation of students and members of the University Community against drug and substance abuse

2. Establishment of Volunteerism Against Illicit Drugs Abuse

3. Convene experts to deliberate on more effective ways of dealing with illicit drug prevention, rehabilitation and care of victims.

“The Youth Friendly Resource Centre cordially invites the academics, policymakers, the media and the general public to this Symposium to launch Sensitisation and Mobilisation Campaign against illicit Drug Abuse in the campus and its environs.”