Nigeria is
currently witnessing an alarming increase in the rate of substance use and
abuse among the youths and even adults. The disturbing phenomenon continues to constitute
a great threat not just to those directly involved in the use of these
substances but also to society as a whole.
Aside from drugs such
as cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, abused by the elite and high net worth
individuals, the most abused substance is cannabis (Indian hemp), taken by a
whopping 10.6 million Nigerians. This makes cannabis, perhaps next to alcohol, the
most commonly abused substance in the country. Also popular among the youths
are certain prescription drugs such as Tramadol, codeine, antibiotics, cough
syrup and laxatives. The unfortunate aspect of this development is that many thousands of Nigerians
who are addicted to these substances are not receiving any form of treatment.
The first ever survey
on drug use in Nigeria by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the
European Union, released early this year gave an insight into how deep-rooted
the drug problem is. According to the survey about 14.3 million Nigerians, representing about
14.4 per cent of the country’s population between the ages of 15 and 64, were
said to have abused drugs in the past one year. Most disturbing about the
report is that, at 14.4 per cent, the prevalence of drug abuse in the country
is more than double the 2016 global average of 5.6 per cent. Given the rate at
which the habit is spreading, it is expected that the rate will further
increase and might become an epidemic in a country that lacks the capacity to
handle it.
One fact remains sacrosanct in the midst of
all these findings and that is that the extent of the problem is such that it
cannot be addressed by government alone or by any single entity.
Responding to this unfortunate reality, an
indigenous socio-cultural group domiciled in the ancient city of Ogbomosho, Oyo
State, The Ogbomosho First Group, has taken the bull by the horn in an attempt
to provide succor for addicts through the establishment of a rehabilitation
centre dubbed ‘The Behavioral Anonymous Center’ located in the
Oke-Anu area of Ogbomosho town. The temporary site of the facility, a first of its
kind initiative in the region was commissioned amidst much fanfare by none
other than the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), who was ably represented by the
agency’s Chief of Staff, Barr. Femi Oluruntoba on Saturday, May 18, 2019.
Present to grace the occasion were top state
and federal government functionaries representing various agencies and
institutions such as the Office of Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF) Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug
Abuse (PACEDA), the Nigeria Police
Force, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Council for Women Societies
(NCWS), Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),
the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and Oyo State Commissioner for
Youth Affairs representing the Oyo State Government amongst others. Also
present were traditional rulers led by HRM, Oba Sunday Oyediran , The Onipetu
of Ijeru, leaders of Faith Based Organizations, members of the academia,
representative of the UNDO and members of various interest groups.
According to the group’s president Oloye Ademola Dare Williams “The
Behavioral Anonymous Center will serve as a facility where people suffering
from addiction or substance use disorders can receive care or be counselled. It
is an initiative powered by members of the group who are engaged in all walks
of life. Men and women of proven integrity, committed sons and daughters of Ogbomosho
who believe strongly in the adage that charity begins at home. For the past ten
years, we have intervened in many social issues and will continue to do so, God
willing”.
NDLEA Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba representing the
agency’s chairman at the occasion in his address bemoaned the current situation
in the country which according to him is facing rapid
deterioration of national values and norms. According to Barr. Olruntoba, “crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, 419 etc are further exacerbated
by the use of drugs. The increasing state of insecurity in the country is
something that we all know is is giving government sleepless nights. No doubt,
the pervasive consumption of illicit drugs is also largely
contributory to the status quo”.
The Chief of Staff was however full
of commendation for the Ogbomosho First Group’s initiative describing the
project as both visionary and worthy of emulation.
Barr. Lanre Ikpimisho, Representative of Rtd. Gen Buba Marwa,
Chariman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug
Abuse (PACEDA) was also full of praises for the O1st Group, emphasizing
strongly that the quest for peace in Nigeria could not be satisfactorily
attained if illicit drug use is left unchecked. He therefore described the O1st
initiative as one of the ways through which the much sought after peace could
be attained.
A visibly elated Oba Sunday Oyediran, the Onipetu of Ijeru,
fielding questions from journalists present at the occasion described the
rehabilitation centre as a welcome development which would further entrench
Ogbomosho’s reputation as a frontline Yoruba town and first amongst equals. He
commended members of the Ogbomosho First Group for their selfless service and
encouraged all Ogbomosho sons and daughters at home and in diaspora to always
remember to give back to the hometown. He further stated, “Our people are everywhere around the world and I pray that God in His
infinite mercies continues to use many of them to bless us here at home. I am
proud of what I am seeing here today. The Ogbomosho First Group has shown that
Ogbomosho people are indeed their brothers’ keepers”!
Highlights of the occasion were the signing of an operational MOU
between the Ogbomosho First Group and the NDLEA and the foundation laying/tree
planting ceremony at the permanent site
of the centre on an expansive plot of land donated by HRM, Oba Sunday Oyediran.
Presenting the vote of thanks on behalf of the
Ogbomosho First Group of which he is a member, Barr. Olusegun Adekunle,
Permanent Secretary, GSO in the Office of the SGF commended President Mohammadu
Buhari for not only his timely
recognition of the threat posed by drug and substance abuse but also for his foresight in setting up PACEDA which
has become the rallying point for decisive action aimed at checkmating the
scourge. He assured the gathering that government, under the direction of President Bis bent on enhancing relationships with
a cross section of groups towards the common goal of fighting the menace to a
standstill. According to Barr. Adekunle, “ Mr.
President is committed to this fight and he continues to exhibit undiluted
determination in ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the quest to
eradicate the menace of drug and substance abuse in our society, for the sake
of our children and the future of our country”. He thereafter called on the
communities across the country to assist government through vigilance.
EVENT PHOTO SPLASH
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| President Ogbomosho First Group, Oloye Ademola Dare Williams (center), Barr. Lanre Ikimisho, representing PACEDA Chairman Rtd. Gen Buba Marwa (2nd left) and other dignitaries at the high table |
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NDLEA Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba (L) shares shares a moment
with Perm Sec. Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (R) |
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Barr. Lanre Ikimisho (L) and Mr. Femi Oloruntoba exchange pleasantries with
immediate past President of Ogbomosho First Group, Mr. Bayo Babatunde |
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| Mr. Femi Oloruntoba |
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| Barr. Lanre Ikimisho |
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| HRM Oba Sunday Oyediran, the Onipetu of Ijeru addresses the gathering |
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Signing of MOU by Mr. Femi Oloruntoba (NDLEA) (2nd left) and Oloye Ademola Williams,
President of Ogbomosho First Group (4th left). Barr. Lanre Ikimisho
(3rd left), Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (standing) and Mr. Bayo Babatunde observe with keen interest |
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Exchange of copies of the MOU between Oloye Williams (L) and Mr. Femi Oloruntoba (R) w
while Barr. Lanre Ikimisho looks on |
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| Cross section of guests at the occasion |
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| Cross section of guests at the occasion |
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| Cross section of guests at the occasion |
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| Cross section of guests at the occasion |
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HRM Oba Sunday Oyediran, Onipetu of Ijeru (Center),
Mrs. Simi Adekunle, wife of Perm. Sec., GSO, Office of the SGF, Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (R) |
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| Barr. Olusegun Adekunle addresses the gathering |
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| Architectural impression of proposed Behavioral Anonymous Centre permanent site |
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| Barr. Olusegun Adekunle takes guests on tour of the temporary facility located at Oke-Anu, Ogbomosho |
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Foundation laying ceremony at the permanent site of the Behavioral Anonymous Centre
on an expansive parcel of land donated by HRM, the Onipetu of Ijeru |
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| Barr. Lanre Ikimisho (R) lays the foundation of the proposed facility. Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (L) assists him |
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| HRM, Oba Sunday Oyediran (R) says a prayer before planting a tree at the permanent site of the facility |
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| HRM plants a tree |
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President of Ogbomosho First Group, Oloye Ademola Dare Williams (L)
shares a moment with Barr. Olusegun Adekunle |
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| Mr. Abayomi Oke, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports (L) with Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (R) |
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| Mr. Olu Adekunle (L) and brother Barr. Olusegun Adekunle (R) |
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Members of Ogbomosho First Group take a picture after a successful event
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