Experts admonish youths to shun illicit drugs, cultism as Ajunwa Foundation marks international Day against drug abuse

By Ifeanyi Eduzor
As part of efforts to sustain it’s fight against the use of illicit drugs and cultism, among youths in the country, the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation on Monday, June, 26 joined the rest of the world in marking the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The event which took place at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos drew expects from the security services and the academia who delivered lectures on the dangers of drug abuse and cultism.
In her welcome address, President of the Foundation, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara ( MON) explained that the fight which her foundation started six years ago was borne out of the desire to make Nigerian youths realize that there is no gain in using performance enhancing drugs and all sorts of illicit drugs as it can not only ruin their career but their lives.
According to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Gold medalist, the menace of drug abuse among youths is quite alarming and there must be sustained efforts to fight it.
She reminded sportsmen and women the implications of using banned substances to enhance their performance which when dictated can lead to life or long ban thereby ending their careers abruptly as well as stigmatizing them in the society.
She expressed happiness that the fight she started six years ago is now yielding result with a promise that her foundation will sustain the fight and take it closer to the grassroots.
In a paper she delivered at the event, Deputy Director, Directorate of General Investigation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Mrs. Achie Abia Ibinabo took time to lecture the audience made up of secondary school students and football academies that they should always shun the temptation of doing drugs or allow their friends deceive them into joining cultism as there is no gain in it but could rather lead to their untimely death, permanent disability, suicide, psychiatric problem or long jail term.
She told them to avoid performance enhancing drugs and all illicit drugs such as; Cocaine, Heroine, Codeine, Tramadol,Indian hemp and other drugs prohibited by the Government and international sports organisations.
“My advise to athletes and our youths is that they should stay away from drugs; be clean always and use your God given talent and strength to compete. Also it’s important you advise your friends to stay away from drugs because if they become addicted, it’s always very difficult to overcome it and you will end up destroying not only your life but your family’s name.
The NDLEA drug Chief reminded the youths that great Nigerian athletes like; Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chioma Ajunwa, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya,
Tosin Amosun and some great Nigerians such as; Pastors Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Mike Okonkwo and great business men like Aliko Dangote and Mike Adenuga Jnr all became great without drugs while some great athletes and artists like Diego Maradona, Michael Jackson and Majeek Fashek all ended up badly because of drug abuse.
She also gave them instances of some promising youths who committed suicide because of drug abuse while many others are serving various jail terms because of their involvement in drug use and cultism noting that the NDLEA will not relent in their efforts at fighting the menace of illicit drug use and abuse to it’s logical conclusion.
In his lecture, Prof. Olunifesi Suraj of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos was of the view that the fight against drug abuse should not be restricted to the youths alone but must all be encompassing because it involves the youths, politicians, security agents and even the Military.
Prof. Olunifesi who is a United Nations consultant submitted that the fight to eradicate illicit drug use might be difficult to fight because it involves a very powerful cabal who make millions from the business but was quick to add that to achieve any meaningful progress in the fight, religious leaders and the media must be involved and sustained advertisement carried out on both the conventional and new media platforms to fight the menace.
He was of the opinion that since majority of those involved in the use and distribution of illicit drugs go to Mosques on Fridays and Churches on Sundays, Pastors and Imams must start preaching against such practices in their sermons which he believes will help draw some people away from the evil habit.
The University Don further went philosophical by advising drug addicts to surrender their lives to Christ, become born again Christians as that’s the surest way to defeat the urge to go back to drug use.
He cautioned the youths to be mindful of the fact that they’re leaders of tomorrow and cannot gain back any opportunity lost at youthful age when they’re older.
Also speaking, Ambassador Adekunle Badmus who doubles as United Nations Diplomat on Bilateral Agreement in Africa as well as MD/ CEO of Goodmus Learning Center advised the youths to shun drug abuse reminding them of the opportunity his organisation is offering students who want to study in Turkey at a very minimal tuition.
He charged them make use of the Turkish educational opportunity and become graduates who will contribute meaningfully to the country’s development in future.
Former national female player, Lilian Amarachi Eze also took time to lecture the youths on the need to shun use of illicit drugs which has ruined many talented sportsmen and women.
She was of the view that with hard work and determination, an athlete can achieve podium finish without resorting to use of performance enhancing drugs just as she charged the youths to say a big no to illicit drug use
Highlight of the occasion was drama presentations on the dangers of drug abuse by Lily Legends Sports Academy.
Certificates of participation were later awarded to all the schools and football academies that took part in the lecture.