The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, has called on residents to join the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
She made the call during a road walk to commemorate the 2025 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Calabar, Thursday.
Represented by her Senior Special Adviser, Administration, Dr. Comfort Oko, the Governor's wife described drug abuse as a menace to society, noting that it destroys families and erodes societal values, emphasizing that any State or country that encourages drug abuse and illicit trafficking has no future.
The Governor's wife urged residents to support the NDLEA in its efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking and stressed the need for collective action to create a drug-free society, maintaining that drug abuse and illicit trafficking are major threats to public health, social stability, and economic development.
In her speech, the NDLEA State Commandant, Mrs. Rachel Umebuali, emphasized the agency's commitment to making Cross River State drug-free.
She warned that anyone caught peddling drugs would face the law, stressing that the agency was determined to stop drug peddlers across the State.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Mr. Balinwo Ofegobi, described the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking as a fight for the future, stressing the need to invest in prevention and break the cycle of drug abuse because drug-free society was essential for development.
The Cross River State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, thanked all partners for their intense awareness of creation against drug abuse.
He urged youths to be productive and focused on self-development and the repositioning of the state, rather than engaging in drug abuse.
On his part. the President, Drug Free and Quality Control Club, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ganiyu Abass, commended the organizers of the road walk, noting that it was a commendable effort to create awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He emphasized the need for collective action to combat drug abuse, noting that the youths are the most affected.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYSC, and Youth and Women Parliaments.
The road walk was a call to action, urging residents to join the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. It was a reminder that a drug-free society is possible if everyone works together to prevent drug abuse and support those who are already affected.
