January 2022

With Imo State ranking high among the states affected by the abuse of drugs and illicit substances in Nigeria, Drug Free World Africa has held a campaign to curb the menace. The campaign is aimed cutting both the demand and supply of the abused substances according to Dr. Lina Okereke who led the campaign organized by Drug Free World Africa. Dr. Okereke who is the Special Adviser on Health Matters to Imo State Governor is also the Coordinator of Drug Free World Africa, an intercontinental Africa organization with presence in more than five African countries. Speaking in Owerri during the campaign which saw students and teachers from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions match round the city of Owerri, Dr. Lina Okereke said that lack of information has been the major barrier in the fight against drug abuse. She said that the campaign is both preventive and corrective measures aimed at saving the lives of Imo youths from the devastating effects of drug abuse. Dr. Lina Okereke highlighted that the only way young people especially, can desist from this act is when they have the right information, adding that having children, youths and adults from all levels of education means they have captured all age brackets of youths in the state who are potential victims of drug abuse. Speaking during the campaign, Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Njoku said that stress, peer pressure are some of the causes of drug abuse. Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Njoku called for the establishment of counseling centers and awareness units in every community. He also called on more organizations to emulate and support Drug Free World Africa, appreciating the efforts of Dr. Lina Okereke in leading the campaign. Director General of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Apeh Reuben, who was represented by Dr. Chinyere Aguocha said that drug Abuse is detrimental to the growth and development of Nigeria often encouraging mental disorder, armed robbery, rape, and other social vices. In a chat with OtownGist, the President of Drug Free World Africa, Engr. Chinagorom Nkaru said that the entire team is working round the clock to achieve a drug free Africa. She said that drug abuse has caused more havoc in Africa than it used to, calling individuals and groups around the world to come together to save the situation. “What we are doing is to empower youths and adults with factual information on “Truth About drugs” “”We create campaign activities and projects that engage youths and make them proud ambassadors of the fight against drug abuse. So far, we have held similar event in several states in Nigeria and we’ll keep expanding across African countries”, Engr. Chinagorom Nkaru added. The campaign which took place on Wednesday January 26, 2022 also had the Universal Basic Development Center (UBDc) and members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA present. Other organizations present are Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian, MedImo health volunteers, Imo Beauty Queens, NYSC members, Youth Organizations, National Leaders of Nigerian Patriotic Citizens for Democracy & Attitudinal Change (NIPACDAC), and other stakeholders in the fight against abuse of drugs and illicit substances.

Ahead of a (X2) 2000-man match against drug abuse in Nasarawa State, Drug Free World Africa has made connections with stake holders in the fight against drug abuse. According to Christopher Francis the DFWA representative in Nasarawa State, the 2000-man match against drug abuse in Nasarawa State cannot be achieved by one organization and it is the main reason for the visit to various stakeholders. Christopher Francis said that by making the campaign a collective effort means it is possible to reach all corners of the state after the match. The DFWA team visited Nasarawa State Director of National Orientation Agency and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who are key agencies in the fight against drug abuse in the state. The team also parleyed with Nasarawa State law enforcement agencies with a visit to the office of the state Commissioner of Police as well as Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS). Mr. Christopher Francis led team also visited the state General Manager of the National Television Authority seeking for the media outfit to help in providing media coverage for Drug Free World Africa activities.

Drug Free World Africa has joined hands with Nasarawa State Eggon Youth Movement (EYM) to fight drug abuse and reduce crime in Nasarawa State. In a meeting which had the DFWA Representative in Nasarawa State Mr. Christopher Francis highlight the effects and implications of drug abuse on youths, the two organizations agreed to work closely in curbing the menace. The EYM chairman Mr. Emmanuel Aso also shared the commitment of their organization in the fight against drug abuse, adding that the union with DFWA is timely when drug abuse has become a reoccurring issue in the society. DFWA and EYM will then unite with other stakeholders to ensure that young people especially are fully aware of the dangers of engaging in the abuse of drugs and other illicit substances.

Drug Free World Africa in Kano State held a public lecture against drug abuse in Kano State, Nigeria. The event which took place on January 23, 2022 enlightened the participants on the ‘Truth About Drugs’ which is in line with the visions of the organization. The public lecture also witnessed the distribution of awareness materials to participants and agency leaders in Kano State. The DFWA representative in Kano State, Mr. Nura Sani said the event is geared at achieving a drug free society. He said that in line with the visions of Drug Free World Africa, the event is one of the series of campaigns the organization is organizing across the country and beyond.

The Drug Free World Africa team in Imo State has held an awareness campaign for students in Imo State Nigeria. The campaign which was led by the state coordinator Dr. Lina Okereke who is also the Special Adviser on Health Matters to Imo State Governor sensitized a large number of students on the dangers of being drawn in drug abuse. Dr. Lina Okereke, admonished the students on standing strong against peer pressure, encouraging them not to engage in the abuse of drugs and other substances as they are tantamount to destroying their future. She said that with abuse of substance predominant among young people, there is need to start at that level to sensitize school children on the dangers on the path of drug abuse. Dr. Lina Okereke also added that beyond the sensitization, the campaign will also raise ambassadors who will be in a position to educate their peers and others they come in contact with about how destructive engaging in drug abuse can be.

Drug Free World Africa in their trail blazing strategy held their first seminar centered on the dangerous effects of Crystal Meth popularly known as Mkpurumiri in Nigeria. The event which took place on Thursday January 20, 2022, had a discussion panel was centered on finding a more conventional and strategy way to fight the availability and consumption of these substances. Tagged ‘Mkpurummiri (Crystal Meth) The Youth Destroyer Part 2’, DFWA x-rayed the dangers associated with the substance which its abuse has been on the rise across the continent. They looked at the most strategic was of ensuring that the curves of both the demand and supply of these substances are flattened. The event which was held virtually on Zoom had people joining on both the virtual meeting platform and Facebook Live across the globe. Panelists include: Alice Romero, the Deputy Executive Director Administrator, NARCONON United Kingdom; Dr. Lina Okereke, Special Adviser on Health to the Governor of Imo State, Nigeria; Rev. Lazarus Terna, DFWA, Kaduna State Representative, with Emmanuel Ngoka serving as the host. Watch full session.

Drug Free World Africa through their Nasarawa State chapter joined with National Orientation Agency to intensify the fight against anti-social behaviours and other social vices in Nigeria. The event which took place on Wednesday January 19, 2022 in Nasarawa State, had Drug Free World Africa well represented as they preached against political thuggery, drug addiction, and other vices. The event which is considered timely with Nigeria set to have general elections in 2022 had the Nasarawa State Representative of DFWA Christopher Francis standing in for the organization. The event also had the Nasarawa State Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, who was represented by Mr. Bilham David deliver a lecture on the effects of drug abuse on youth and the socio-economic implications. The event also had Nasarawa State Director of National Orientation Agency, Dr. Priscilla Goundounor; the state Police Commissioner, CP Soyemi Musbau Adesina, members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other stakeholders. Drug Free World Africa take campaign to schools in Liberia The Liberian Chapter of Drug Free World Africa have taken the campaign against drug abuse to schools. In the projected tagged School-School No To Drug Abuse Campaign, the DFWA has a simple goal of ‘catching them young’ before Drugs Do. “We want to catch them young before drugs do” the DFWA representative in Liberia Amb. Michael Lahai said, adding that such programmes are geared at raising drug free ambassadors who will continue the mission. The event which took place on January 19, 2022, is expected to continue in more schools across the country.

The Liberian Chapter of Drug Free World Africa have taken the campaign against drug abuse to schools. In the projected tagged School-School No To Drug Abuse Campaign, the DFWA has a simple goal of ‘catching them young’ before Drugs Do. “We want to catch them young before drugs do” the DFWA representative in Liberia Amb. Michael Lahai said, adding that such programmes are geared at raising drug free ambassadors who will continue the mission. The event which took place on January 19, 2022, is expected to continue in more schools across the country.

Understanding that the fight against drug abuse is a collective effort, Drug Free World Africa has extended a hand of partnership to the Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Drug Free World Africa applying the strategy of localizing the efforts against drug abuse met with the Kaduna State Director General of the Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment on January 19, 2022. The meeting which is in line with the organization’s vison will see DWFA join hands with the agency and other stakeholders in the state to intensify the fight against drug abuse. The DFWA representative in Kaduna State, Rev. Lazarus Tern described the meeting as a fruitful one that is expected to yield unlimited result.

The WFWA president Engr. China Nkaru appreciated everyone who joined the meeting, assuring them that the organization will be consolidating on the foundations laid in the previous year. She enlightened the members on the programs of the 2022 which are inline with the mission of DFWA “To educate on the “Truth About Drugs” and empower youth towards employability and productive youths in the community. To guide and support youth towards living a drug-free life” Engr. Nkaru encouraged the team members to keeping working with high motivation towards the common goal of achieving a drug free youths in Africa. Present in the meeting were the youngest patron of DFWA, Engr Emenike Nanguma and other new leaders: Ms Progress Akudo, Mr Boman Kazah and Mr Olusegun Falemu.