Uzodinma also encouraged youths to embrace skills acquisition and agricultural practices for survival
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has advised youths in the state to desist from taking methamphetamine, otherwise known as ‘mkpurummiri’ and other illicit drugs as it would negatively impact them in the future.
He gave the advice on Sunday at Ezinihitte Mbaise council area of the state during an enlightenment campaign on drugs organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conjunction with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation.
Uzodinma, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Ezechukwu Obonna, identified the use of illicit drugs as the main impediment to productivity among youths.
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He went on to encourage young people in the state to embrace the acquisition of digital skills, as well as agricultural practices for survival rather than go into drugs.
He said: “Don’t destroy your future. My motive for establishing the Bureau of Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring is to make Imo a drug-free state.”
Also speaking during the enlightenment programme, NDLEA’s Deputy State Commander, Operations and Training, Lamuwa Shehu, noted that abuse of drugs is a global issue, adding that youths who engage in illicit drugs neither live healthy nor purposeful lives.
“About 280 million people use drugs worldwide; while 15 million persons abuse drugs in Nigeria, 6 million persons are victims who are in dire need of help,” Shehu stated.
While highlighting the essence of the campaign, the founder of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, Summers Nwokie said it was intended to disabuse the minds of youths from illicit drug use.