Featured, Health
By Benprince Ezeh
THE Adorable Foundation International, AFI, an NGO, has said that this year’s World Drug Day, which comes up on June 26, 2021, will be marked with a beauty pageant with nine contestants as Queen Ambassadors of A Societal Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse, ASACADA.
Ada Okeke Amam, founder/president of AFI, who made the disclosure in her speech on fight against drug abuse on Tuesday, March 30, in Lagos, stated that these ambassadors would spread the gospel of campaign against drug abuse around the country.
She explained that the work of AFI in the fight against the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking is guided by a broad range of international legally binding instruments such as drug control, unguided usage of drugs, and illicit trafficking of drugs.
“Building on its normative, analytical, and operational work, AFI will continue working through partnerships within and outside its confine to help other agencies like National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to achieve its focal goals.
“Annually, we embark on series of societal campaigns in at least six communities in Lagos and Abuja, while Northern and Eastern States will do same in their capitals,” Amam said.
According to her, it is heart-warming that recently we were invited by the Lagos State command of NDLEA to a stakeholder meeting with the new Chairman/CEO Brigade General Buba Marwa retired, where he pointed out to the nation the stark realities of the dire consequences of condoning the drug use and trade on our people.
“In that important visit, he acknowledged the need for synergy among parents, communities, religious bodies, governments, and non-governmental organizations in this fight to preserve the future generation by getting rid of all channels of drug peddling and abuse,” she said.
Amam also stated that during the interactive session with the stakeholders after she had presented their activities from inception, the chairman was full of praise for AFI.
“He encouraged us to continue with community and youth advocacy.
“The year 2021 shall see us through our usual community awareness campaigns in all parts of the country. Paramount this year is the beauty pageant “Queen ASACADA” coming up on June 26, at Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, NAF Mess in Abuja.
“The Queen and nine other contestants (when chosen) shall visit youths all over Nigeria as our Ambassadors, spreading the gospel of campaign against Drug Abuse. We, therefore, seek your total support in the areas of publicity to fully cleanse our communities of this dreadful menace.
“We call on the state governments, people, families, business concerns, organizations, agencies, and individuals to support us in this worthy task,” the founder said.
On her part, Titi Ogunluyi, an NDLEA official, said that many went into drugs because of depression and should not be stigmatised. “What we should do in helping the trapped ones is not to make a mockery or stigmatise them because it might not be their making.
“We should refer them for treatment because most of them caught up with it because of depression from certain things and we should learn to live with them and be their guidance,” she said.
Victoria Ogunsakin, the present queen and student of University of Lagos, UNILAG, noted that the upcoming tour of the nation is to create awareness so that the government, parents, and the masses will hear our voices. “We will be penetrating the school, the youths need people to encourage them.
“I can assure you all that with this plan, AFI will reduce the number of youths engaged in drug abuse,” she added.
The event, which had the theme, “Fighting Drug Abuse: “Let’s Fight this Menace” was attended by many dignitaries, including members of the NDLEA, Kate Onyechere, Senior Special Adviser, SSA to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, and women leader Ohaneze Ndigbo south-west.
– Mar. 31, 2021, @16:09 GMT |
Tags: 9 contestants for ambassadors in Queen ASACADA - AFI
