LAUNCHING AND FLAG OFF OF THE ANTI - DRUG ABUSE CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN NIGERIA BY THE NORTHERN YOUTH ASSEMBLY

LAUNCHING AND FLAG OFF OF THE ANTI - DRUG ABUSE CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN NIGERIA BY THE NORTHERN YOUTH ASSEMBLY

Introduction

Within the last decade, the involvement of the youths in drug abuse sub – culture has taken a wide and a frightening dimension in the country, especially in the Northern Nigeria. The Youth and women in almost every society of the world, constitute the majority percentage of the population as well as the high risk group, and it is therefore for this reason, every sensitive and focused Leadership tends to place a greater priority and emphasis on the future of this class of the population, for the purpose of safeguarding the future of the yet unborn generation and of the country, which is largely believed to be dependent and vulnerable

Unfortunately, the story tends to portray a different perspectives in Nigeria, where the future and the psychological wellbeing of the youths is being threatened, by the number of social problems especially the evils associated with the most growing habit of substance and drug abuse, among a significant percentage of the teeming population of young men and women, or even among the married women.

Drug addiction of whatever type must not be allowed to fester in any society due to its destructive consequences on health and lifestyle. Adolescents and youth of both sexes and between the ages of 15-30 years constitute the high risk group. Many of the victims of the drug and substance abuse undergo through memory lapses, short attention span, difficulty in concentration, depression, low productivity and the rest    

A recent report showed that the abuse of drugs has become rampant, particularly among the youths and women in Northern Nigeria.  What this portends is that substance abuse is silently but steadily developing into a serious problems, especially among the youths in Northern Nigeria.  The three consecutive annual report of the NDLEA released from 2010-2012  has placed and rated some  states, in the Northern Nigeria, as the leading, on the drug and substance abuse in the country, a situation that is not only embarrassing but unfortunate as well

It is therefore on appreciation of this problem, which is silently eating deep, and persistently consuming the society silently, the Northern Youth Assembly, a leading youth platform with representation in the Nineteen Northern States, resolved to undertake this challenge, and to vigorously pursue it as a project, as part of our contributory efforts towards addressing this menace, with a view to curtail the excesses of this dangerous and ugly development

The enormity of this problem cannot be overemphasized, however, we, at the Northern Youth Assembly, resolved to adopt a collective approach, whereby all relevant stakeholders could be involved, to safeguard and secure the future of our teeming  youths and the country at large      

For the purpose of achieving the needed success on the take off of this project, seven States of the North West have been identified in the first stage of the program for convenience, which is to include:

Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara States respectively

As part of the strategy to achieve the desired result on this project, the Northern Youth Assembly, has established the National Contact Committee with the representations from the seven states of the North West

This Committee is intended to comprise of highly respected personalities and development concerned individuals, whom we believe can greatly help in achieving this goal

It is therefore our believe that, well meaning personalities from within and outside the country, will be willing to be part this life changing project, which is aimed at reducing this menace, as well as help to rehabilitate some of the victims of this ugly situation

The project is expected to be launched in Kano, in the first week of March, 2014 and about five thousand victims are expected from across the seven North Western States to be rehabilitated, and empowered economically and educationally.     

Signed:

Mallam Ibrahim Waiya                                                            Comrade Adikwu Omale 

National President                                                                    Joshua

Northern Youth Assembly                                                      Act. National Publicity Secretary