By Oluwakayode Banjo
Lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Mr Abass Adigun-Agboworin has advocated the establishment of government owned rehabilitation centres for victims of drug abuse across the country.
Mr Adigun-Agboworin made the call in Ibadan at a sensitisation on the war against drug abuse organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The federal lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs said, the establishment of government-owned rehabilitation centres in all the regions in the country was key to effectively wage war against drug abuse.
Mr Adigun-Agboworin also called for increased budgetary allocation for the NDLEA to enable the agency to optimally carry out its responsibilities.
In a Goodwill message, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, represented by the Assistant Commandant General, Narcotics, ACGN, Maureen Afolabi, urged governments and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the agency at counselling Nigerians, particularly the youths on the dire consequences of drug abuse and trafficking.
On her part, Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Oyo State Directorate, Dr Olukemi Afolayan said, most crimes being commited in the country were often as a result of drug abuse, lamenting that the harmful substances have found their way to neighborhood markets.
In a remark, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal said, the State Government had put mechanisms in place to deal decisively with anyone who indulges in the abuse of drugs.
Highlight of the programme was the presentation of awards to Champions of the war against drug abuse including Governor Seyi Makinde, Wife of the former Governor of the State, Dr Florence Ajimobi, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Mr Abass Adigun-Agboworin and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Alhaji Ahmed Raji.
