Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Thursday, led a campaign against drug abuse and trafficking as part of activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Gov. Diri advised people of the state, particularly the youths, to shun hard drugs and trafficking of illicit substances, saying they were harmful to their health and to the society.
The governor, who spoke shortly after the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, also urged youths to develop themselves by acquiring a skill and work towards actualising their God-given potentials.
“We just completed a nine to 10km walk, which is a test of our fitness. As it is said, health is wealth.
“Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. We are not only observing the global campaign, we are also leading it here in Bayelsa.
“No one in his right senses goes to commit crime and violent acts except that individual is under the influence of hard drugs.
“My advice to youths is be self-confident, have the fear of God and develop your innate potential for you to become a star,” Gov. Diri said.
He implored youths to emulate the shining example of a Bayelsa-born United States-based athlete, Victory Godah, who was discovered through the state’s sports programmes.
He commended her gesture of donating sporting equipment as a way of giving back to the state.
“Victory Godah from Ekeremor Local Government Area was discovered here and because of her skill, she is now at the University of Minnesota, United States.
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“She has given back to the state through sports equipment so that more of us can have that acces,” the governor added.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, emphasised the importance of the weekly walk, stating that participants above 40 years would have their blood pressure controlled after taking about 5,000 steps.
Also, the state Chairman of the Drug Abuse, Addiction, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr. Peter Owonaro, said the committee’s outreach in the state had been a huge success, noting that a recent research indicated that the drug abuse prevalence rate in Bayelsa State, dropped by five percent from 21.4 percent.
Also, the state commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kanu Sunny, lauded the state government for its unprecedented support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
He said the campaign was taken to secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions and encouraged all to join in the war against the menace.
