The Edo State Commissioner for Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Zubairu Dada Abubakar, made the appeal during a rally to sensitize youths on the dangers of the vices in Benin City.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Youth in the Ministry, Aiyebeni Balogun, said the menace of drug abuse is pathetic as it has affected youths negatively.
He said the rally was held as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse by the State Government, noting that the awareness was to demonstrate the commitment of the Edo State Government in checking the menace of drug abuse and called for more concerted efforts to curb the menace.
The rally kicked off from the Edo State Secretariat along Sapele Road, Benin City through major roads in Benin City
The commissioner urged youths in the state to “Maintain their sanity. Say no to cultism. Maintain discipline. Life is good; life is short. Say no to drugs, say no to crime, say no to drug abuse.”
According to him, “We are doing this awareness because of the Government’s concern for youths in Edo State and the nation in general. You see our youths on the street; some are running mad, some are being killed as a result of cultism and some are involved in Cybercrime and some are also involved in drug abuse.
“The Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs is also concerned about the welfare and the lives of our youths and that is why we are carrying out this sensitization to mark International Day against Drug Abuse.”
The International Day Against Drug Abuse marked on the 26th of every year is a day set aside by the United Nations to create awareness to the teeming population on the inherent dangers of Drug Abuse.
The Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs on behalf of the Edo State Government will be organizing an event on Wednesday at the Imaguero College to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse.
