By Stanley Onyekwere
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed, has urged youth in the Territory to shun acts of drug abuse and other illicit lifestyle, so as to secure their future and live a fulfilled life.
The minister handed down this advice while addressing secondary school students of the territory and some National Youth Corps Service (NYSC) members, at an enlightenment programme tagged; “Drug Abuse Enlightenment Campaign for FCTA Secondary Schools”, held at the Merit House, Abuja.
Bala, who spoke through the Mandate Secretary of the Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, who was represented by Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. M. B. Kawu, also enjoined youth to focus their energies on gainful activities.
According to the minister, drug abuse is hazard that can destroy their lives if they permit any kind of peer influence make them succumb to trying it.
He also noted that such lifestyle (drug addiction and alcoholism) would negatively influence their studies and mar their chances in life, hence the need for them to abstain from it.
The minister who noted that they would definitely be tempted by friends and availability of these items at some time told them to be mindful of their desire to be the best in the future and ignore all such temptation to try them.
He told them they are the future of the country and they cannot afford to jeopardise their chances and that of the country in the future.
“As young people the future of Nigeria is in your hands, because as future leaders, avoid anything that will deprive you of realizing your dreams and aspirations in life.
“Drug abuse hinders your studies and prevents you from being useful members of your family and responsible members of the society and destroys future of otherwise very important personalities,” Bala said.
Similarly, the guest speaker of the occasion, Prof. Kunle O. O. told the youth that self restrained was critical to their ability to shun drug abuse.
He stressed that close associates in classrooms are often the link to abuse as they feed on the existent trust while in some cases addicts evoke emotions to introduce one into the dangerous lifestyle.
He therefore called on every youth to choose their circle of friends and define their purpose for life even as they should report any suspicious person to their teachers and school authority.
Kunle pointed out that is the best way to avoid the lifestyle and save friends who may have been addicts.
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