By ifeanyi Edwin nwabugu
A veteran journalist and youths advocacy activist, Ambrse Okehi on Thursday August 28 flagged off a campaign to sensitize the youths against the use of illicit drugs and its concomitant abuse ,warning that the danger posed is an ill wind, not only to the abusers but also to the entire society. The event which took place at Airport Hotel Ikeja attracted creme de la creme including the media, stakeholders and civil societies representatives , and was chaired by the Chairman Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Brigadier General Buba Marwa . In his opening speech, the convener of the event who is also the Editor/Publisher of News Emperor Magazine Ambrose Okehi took the audience memory lane, recalling that the passion he had for the youths coincided with the dream he had in 2019 to create a platform aimed at touching their lives through advocacy, counselling and sensitization against drug abuse, stating that he himself was once a victim in the hand of these young men. In his address, the Chairman of NDLEA commended the convener for his patriotic zeal in the fight against Drug abuse among the youths reminding that NDLEA cannot do it alone but need collaboration and good spirited individuals like Ambrose to make it a success. Buba who was represented by an assistant commandant enforcement Uche Samson stated that since assuming office by the present Chairman of the NDLEA , the agency has recorded tremendous success in seizures, prosecution, conviction and rehabilitation noting that available statistics has confirmed that drug trafficking has witnessed a dramatic decline in the last ten years while advising that more need to be done especially in the area of advocacy and sensitization and therefore enjoined the the media and
other stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in the onerous task of building a safer society that we all will be proud of.
In his address, the Quests speaker, who is also the registrar, Port and Terminal Management Academy of Nigeria Prof (Dr) Babatunde Samuel in his scholarly presentation commended the convener and the management of NDLEA for the efforts in trying to put the youths on the focus and advised that more efforts should be deployed to make more meaningful impact . Other good will messages came from the Customs, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the NAFDAC PCN,PSN etc.
