The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State and Chairman of the State's Drug Control Committee, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed the state's unwavering commitment to eliminating substance abuse and building a healthier, drug-free society through strengthened partnerships, preventive education and innovative interventions.
Mrs Otu made the commitment during the 2026 World Drug Day commemoration organised by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Cross River State, with the theme: "The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses."
Represented by the Commissioner for Education and Vice Chairman of the State's Drug Control Committee, Professor Stephen Odey, she commended ISSUP for bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, traditional rulers, security agencies, development partners and community leaders to collectively address the growing challenge of substance abuse.
Mrs Otu described drug abuse as far more than a public health concern, noting that it has become a social, economic and security challenge that robs young people of their aspirations, weakens families, fuels violence and hinders sustainable development.
"As new psychoactive substances emerge and trafficking methods become increasingly sophisticated, our response must also evolve through innovation, collaboration, prevention, treatment and sustained public education," she stated.
She reiterated that the Cross River State Government remains committed to protecting the future of its youths by promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening family values and creating opportunities that empower young people to make informed and responsible life choices.
According to her, every individual rescued from substance abuse and every young person educated on the dangers of drugs represents another milestone in the collective effort to build stronger families and safer communities.
She also applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), healthcare professionals, counsellors, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions and other stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to preventing substance abuse and providing rehabilitation and hope for people struggling with addiction.
"As Chairman of the Cross River State Drug Control Committee, I will continue to advocate for increased awareness, preventive education, mental health support and stronger partnerships that promote the well-being of women, children and other vulnerable groups," she affirmed.
While calling for collective action, the Governor's wife stressed that the fight against substance abuse requires the commitment of every family, school, community and institution. She urged young people to reject drug abuse and embrace purposeful living.
"Choose purpose over pressure, ambition over addiction and hope over harmful substances. Your future is too valuable to be sacrificed to drugs. You have the potential to become leaders, innovators and agents of positive change," she charged.
In recognition of her outstanding leadership and commitment to promoting a substance-free society, ISSUP honoured Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu with a special decoration for her unwavering support towards building a drug-free Cross River State. The award acknowledged her sustained advocacy for drug abuse prevention, awareness creation and healthier communities across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr Charles Iwara, highlighted the strong link between substance use disorders and HIV infection, stressing that addressing drug abuse is critical to improving public health outcomes. He reaffirmed CR-SACA's commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expand access to prevention, treatment, care and support services while reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
[30 Jun 2026 9:26 pm] Nakanda Iyadim: "The fight against substance abuse cannot be won in isolation. It requires sustained collaboration, strong advocacy and collective responsibility if we must build healthier and safer communities," Dr Iwara stated.
Earlier, the Cross River State Coordinator of ISSUP, Mrs Blessing Effanga, described the annual event as a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and collective action, emphasising that effective responses to substance use disorders must extend beyond law enforcement to embrace compassion, scientific evidence, community participation and sustained investment in prevention, treatment and recovery.
In his keynote address, the Founder and Executive Director of the Global Initiative on Substance Abuse (GISA), Dr Martin Agwogie, warned that Nigeria's drug challenge continues to evolve despite years of intervention. He identified the emergence of new psychoactive substances, the growing influence of the internet and social media, increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking networks and changing patterns of substance use as issues demanding innovative, evidence-based responses.
Dr Agwogie advocated greater investment in family-centred prevention programmes, early childhood education, youth empowerment, school-based interventions, harm reduction strategies, professional capacity-building and stronger community ownership of drug prevention efforts. He also called for the decentralisation of drug prevention initiatives by empowering state governments, local government councils, schools, communities and faith-based organisations to take greater responsibility in combating substance abuse.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Calabar Municipality, Apostle James Anam, commended ISSUP for choosing Calabar as the host of the 2026 World Drug Day celebration. He described the event as a timely reminder that tackling substance abuse requires stronger partnerships, shared responsibility and sustained collaboration among government institutions, professionals, development partners and communities.
The event attracted representatives of government ministries and agencies, the NDLEA, healthcare professionals, educators, traditional rulers, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders committed to advancing evidence-based strategies for preventing substance abuse.
The 2026 World Drug Day commemoration concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration, expand evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes, reduce HIV vulnerability associated with substance use disorders, and build healthier, safer and more resilient communities across Cross River State.
By Patricia Ogbeche and Asari Eso
