A historic day in Kogi State capital on Tuesday 30th November, 2021 as Drug Free World Africa Kogi State Chapter colourfully painted the city of Lokoja, Kogi State with Stop Drug Abuse posters while walk round the town sensitising the entire people of Kogi State on dangers of drug abuse.
The walk which was flagged off by the commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mrs. Bridget Ede and the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Idris Musa by 9:00 am from Ganaja Junction to NUJ Press Centre was led by Amb Maximillian E. Tashiliani Drug Free World Africa Kogi State Chapter Representative. Members of DFWA Kogi State chapter, NDLEA, NUJ officers, students of the Federal University Lokoja, and youth loving people of Kogi State took to the streets of Lokoja city, first of its kind, boldly armed with the messages of havocs caused by drug abuse and illicit substance misuse.
The processional walk took the shape of a carnival with the public joining on their own accord to help in the propagation of the messages Stop Drug Abuse Before It Stop your Life, “Truth About Drugs”. The walk progressed and attracted Ministry of Youth and Sports and other agencies who also mobilised their staff to join in the awareness campaign.
The unimaginable effective strategized Stop Drug Abuse walk in Lokoja Kogi state encouraged participants to cover more routes than initially included in the itinerary and effortlessly had over 18 drug addicted persons joined the walk and signed on for counselling and support to go clean from drugs misuse. 1780 participants were recorded with over 800 truth About drugs booklets and 2100 NO TO DRUGS hand bills distributed during the period of stop abuse campaign walk in Kogi State.
Stop Drugs awareness walk Lokoja, Kogi State terminated at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre where the Chairman received participants of the awareness walk with 25 Media correspondents’ personnel’s present covering the news. The progressive success story of the Stop drugs walk attracted the President of DFWA Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru’s visit from UK.
The icing on the cake was the biggest surprise visit of the president of DFWA Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru whose presence motivated youths to be determined towards applying all possible strategies to spread “truth About Drugs” and stop drug abuse in the community. Youth confessed that the biggest disarming issues is drug abuse in the community but they are optimistic that with the strategies DFWA is emerging with will definitely go a long way to curb the menace.
DFWA presidential courtesy call was received by dignitaries in Lokoja Kogi State capital NDLEA Commander Mrs. Bridget Ede who pledged her support as she made known o DFWA the lack of a standard Rehabilitation Centre in Kogi State and unequivocable thanked DFWA for a selfless service in their community and to Africa at large. DFWA president in same manner thanked and appreciated her for mobilising NDLEA Tax-force for the walk.
Dr Victor Alewo Adoji, Former Head Corporate Communication Zenith Bank PLC on talk with DFWA President sincerely pledged unconditional support to DFWA vision towards drug-free people of Kogi State. Engr. Chinagorum in company of the DFWA KSC Rep. Amb Maximillian and the youths ended the visit at the NUJ office where the walk terminated. The meeting of DFWA President Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru and the NUJ Chairman Kogi State Mr Adeira Momoh Jimoh conclusively yielded to propagate NO TO DRUG ABUSE campaign on air on subsided rate and to initiate DFWA youths and sports Drug-Free Cadet.
The remarkable DFWA KSC Stop Drug Abuse Walk in Kogi State gave hope to the entire community of Kogi State towards a positive tackling of drug abuse in their communities. The DFWA KSC Rep Amb Maximillian on behalf of the DFWA KSC members thanked DFWA President Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru for time taken to visit them and joined the walk which proven the resolve and clear vision of the organisation to drug-free youths of Africa and further strengthened them to tirelessly work for the success of Drug-free Kogi State.
Kogi State towards drug-free community.