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How To Ensure Your Children Desist From Drug Abuse
Dr Ngozichukwu Unaogu, a Consultant Psychiatrist, on Saturday charged families to ensure that children and wards desist from experimenting or engaging in drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Unaogu, who is the Head, Training and Research of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, gave this advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on the import of 2021 World Drug Abuse Day.
This year’s World Drug Abuse Day, which is celebrated every June 26, is with the theme: “Share Facts on Drugs and Save Lives’’.
Unaogu noted that families have a lot to do in terms of sensitizing the young ones against drug abuse since “the family is the smallest unit of the society’’.
According to her, every individual comes from a family and I think if each family trains and educates their wards against drug abuse and trafficking, the job will be less.
“When the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is brought down to the family level, a lot will be achieved in stemming the menace and up scaling treatment at the neigbourhood, community, state and societal levels.
“There is a need for parents to find time to educate their wards on psycho-active substances and their various side effects on the physical, emotional and social aspect of their lives.
“I think if we take it from the cradle, from the family level, we will achieve more than we are achieving now.
“Because children will grow up with the knowledge and awareness that psycho-active substances or drugs are injurious to health. I also think it will reduce the demand and use of drugs,’’ she said.
Unaogu, who is also the Head of Training of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), also called on parents to monitor children’s behaviour, the friends they keep and their social engagements.
She advised parent to watch out for signs that suggest drug use in children, which includes withdrawal to oneself, being secretive, being aggressive or relapsing into depression, having strange objects or paper wrappers in school bags and their rooms.
“Other signs are: keeping secretive friends, keeping late at nights or staying outdoors excessively; visiting morally injurious websites in the Internet and suddenly showing signs of disrespect and boldness,’’ the consultant psychiatrist said.
She also warned parents to protect their children against bad influence of adults that take alcohol, cigarette and Indian hemp around homes no matter how closely related to the family.
Unaogu said: “Make it clear that uncles and aunts taking one form of drug or alcohol do it outside the home and never to send a child on an errand to buy some for them.
“Most times, children will be tempted to experiment taking the remnant of the alcohol or smoke when asked to tidy-up the table in the guise of wanting to get a feel of what the substances give or do’’.
World Drug Abuse Day is meant to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse.
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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NGIJ Congratulates Alhassan Yahaya on Emergence as NUJ President
Urges Prioritisation of Press Freedom, Journalists’ Welfare
The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) heartily congratulates Comrade Alhassan Yahaya on his resounding victory as the newly elected National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
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In a statement signed by the National President of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan, Friday in Abuja and made available to Journalists stated that, “As a seasoned professional who has served as NUJ Gombe State Chairman, Vice Chairman of the North-East zone, and most recently as National Deputy President, the NGIJ believes Comrade Yahaya is well-equipped to steer the union towards greater achievements.”
While celebrating this milestone, “the NGIJ calls on the new NUJ leadership to make the protection of press freedom its utmost priority. The union must boldly stand against the increasing gagging of journalists in Nigeria, which undermines not only the journalism profession but also the country’s democracy and fundamental human rights.
In this regard, “the NGIJ draws the attention of the new NUJ executive to the troubling case of four journalists currently incarcerated at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for nearly two months over a cyberstalking matter involving the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) and its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
“The union must see this as a clarion call to resist such affronts to the press and demand the immediate release of these journalists.”
The NGIJ remains confident that Comrade Yahaya and his team will deliver a progressive and impactful tenure. We assure the NUJ of our continued collaboration in promoting investigative journalism and defending the noble ideals of the press.
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Gov Ododo Sympathizes with Kogi State Boat Mishap Victims
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
The Kogi State Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Odod has expressed his condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in a recent boat accident.
In a statement issued today by the S.
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Governor Ododo, who visited the scene of the accident, described the incident as “sad and unfortunate.” He noted that most of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans who were engaged in legitimate business activities to earn a living and contribute to the state’s economy.
The Governor emphasized the need for urgent attention to the waterway linking Kogi and Niger State, which has become increasingly dangerous due to frequent boat accidents.
He called on relevant authorities to ensure that safety measures are put in place to minimize risks associated with water transportation in the country.
Governor Ododo commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its efforts in the search and rescue operation. He also called for concerted efforts through inter-agency collaboration to prevent cases of waterways accidents and enhance emergency response management.
The Governor assured the families of the victims that the government will support those injured in their recuperation. This incident has once again highlighted the need for improved safety measures on Nigeria’s waterways.
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Gov Ododo Unveils Blueprint for Kogi State’s Urban Revitalization
By Blessing Ameloko-Odoh
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, has unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionize the state’s urban and housing landscape. The Governor announced this development during a 2-day symposium themed “Modern Housing & Urban Development” held at the Glass House, Government House in Lokoja.
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Representing the Governor, Hon. Joseph Oluwasegun, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological management, reiterated the commitment of Governor Ododo’s administration to transforming the lives of Kogi State residents through modern housing and development initiatives.
The symposium aims to tackle pressing housing challenges confronting the people of Kogi State. The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon Abanika Taiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Zainab Obadaki emphasized that the program will provide affordable housing for the people of Kogi State, prioritizing sustainability and social inclusion.
The Governor has made significant strides in addressing land disputes and environmental degradation in Kogi State.
Hon. Aliu Salami, Economic Adviser to the Governor, emphasized the significance of the symposium, noting that the blueprint presented will unlock numerous benefits, ultimately driving rapid development in the state.
Dr. Zainab Obadaki, Permanent Secretary of the Kogi State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, stressed the significance of the program in achieving modern housing schemes for the people of Kogi State.
The Governor’s commitment to transforming the housing and urban development sector is expected to enhance rapid development and economic growth in Kogi State.
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