The Ondo State Directorate of National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday organized a one day sensitization programme on national security and re-orientation against political thuggery, kidnapping, drug addiction, radicalization and violent extremism.
The meeting held at the Conference Hall, Federal Secretariat, Akure had in attendance security agencies in the state; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, NGOs, youth organizations, PTA chairman, Traditional rulers, Market women among others.
The state Director of NOA, Mrs Adelayo Adefolalu called the attention of stakeholders to issues affecting National Security and Re-orientation against political thuggery, kidnapping,drug addiction, radicalization, violent extremism and other vices.
She identified the roles of the Agency which is saddled with the responsibility of community engagement, mobilization and sensitization, evidence based findings and experience have shown that abuse of drugs by our youths have a multiplier effect on the other anti social behavior being experienced in the country.
She stressed further on the factors responsible for political thuggery which are illiteracy, greed, unemployment, political rivalry and corruption.
She said through programmes like Youth Summit, Campaign against Gender Based Violence, Voters Education, Value Re-orientation, Anti corruption campaign, campaign against Drug Abuse, establishment of Integrity clubs across secondary schools in Ondo State, NOA has engaged in efforts that would reduce drastically the high incidence of all criminality in our society.
She therefore pleaded with Youths to shun the use of drugs for the wrong purpose, and other social vices that may truncate the promising future ahead of them.
The Olujigba of Ijigba, Rev Dr Luyi Rotimi acknowledged the Dignitaries and bring the goodwill from the Deji of Akure.
“A stitch in time saves nine. We have neglected things of the past that as become monster. We are here today to try our best and we hope everything said here will be put in place. It is better late than never as all hands is now on deck to put things in place.”
The Representative of NAFDAC coordinator in Ondo state in her good will message said this is a welcome idea and it will help our country as National insecurity has become a threat to our Nation. The young Generation now involve in various crimes. NAFDAC cannot do it alone. Some drugs are not to be found in the society. Example Tramadol is now been misused in the society but with the help of sensitization it will help the country and save us a long way.
Representative of the PS Ministry of Education in her goodwill message said sensitization and orientation of youth is a continuous programme as these social vices are caused by peer group influence we therefore pledge with necessary agencies to help sensitize parents and students and globally. We therefore encourage to speak out our mind at every point in time.
The Sector Commander of NSCDC, Dr Hammed Abodurin who handled a Technical section in the course of the programme said National Security is a trending challenge in our present Nigeria.
He stressed further that globally the world is not peaceful and to feel insure is the worst form of insecurity.
He highlighted he major causes of trending issues as Illiteracy, poor power supply, farmers/herders clashes, illegally oil Bunkering/pipeline vandalization, corruption, porous borders. He also suggested some way out as Education Reform, Unemployment/poverty Management, proper upbringing of children, adequate Data base system in all sectors.
Representative of NDLEA commandant, ACN Jiyefous Yetunde who handled the Drug Abuse section defined Drug abuse as the use of illicit drugs or use of prescription or over the counter drugs for the purpose other than that than what is meant for.
She stressed further that illicit drugs could be in natural synthetic, powered form, delivery form as Drug can be packaged in different forms. In any way this substance is taken,it affect the system,mood and behavior of the person taking it.
Drug abuse can affect a person’s health physically or psychologically health. While certain drugs can lead to drowsiness and slow breathing while others can cause insomnia,paranoia, while others can damage the kidney and liver. She also emphasized on the symptoms of drugs abuse as mood swings, taking overdose, drug seeking behavior, changing in eating and sleeping pattern, hostility among others.
“Consequences of drug abuse as, depression, personality disorder, suicidal thought, and suicidal attempt, Blood pressure we therefore call on our parents to help in monitoring their children as the government cannot do it all alone. There was reactions from participants who called attention of Govt to down more in areas of security agencies welfarism.”
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