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Declare a National Day of Sensitisation Against Drug Abuse – Sunny Irakpo Tells Buhari

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By Eric Elezuo

An anti-drug abuse advocate and Founder/President, Silec Initiatives, Amb. Sunny Irakpo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, declare a National Day of Sensitisation Against Drug Abuse in the country to help curb the incidences of drug related offences prevalent in the society.

The anti-drug advocate made this assertion while delivering a paper as a keynote speaker to the standing Committee Meeting of the Anglican Communion on “The Monster of Drug Addiction; A Battle for our Future.”

In the six-page paper, the advocate frontally attacked the monster of drug abuse, profering solutions for a well ordered society, while meticulously revealing the various drugs experimentation and how drugs are destroying promising Nigerian youths who ordinarily are the future and greatest assets of the country

The event was organised by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which has over the years, contributed on issues of national importance, and continued to play her role in national development.

The Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the highest decision making organ of the church, and is currently under the leadership of the Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, The Most Revd. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba.

Leveraging on available statistics, Irakpo stated that according to a United Nations Office on Drug Control (UNODC) report of 2018, youths between the age bracket of 19-39 years are the worse users, but to say the gospel truth based on our over a decade experience in community/grassroots sensitization campaign, we have discovered and seen boys of 5, 9, 12, 15 and 18years smoking cannabis and abusing all forms of substances to get “high”.

“Statistically, 8 out of 10 male youths are drug abusers, 1 out of four 4 females is a drug abuser. It is also reported by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that 3 out of 10 youths that are abusing drugs experience brain damage,” he said.

The SILEC founder pointed that according to a report from the Psychiatrists Association of Nigeria as at 2018, which made a shocking revelation that 85% of insane individuals (mad people) in Nigeria are youths between the age brackets of (18-38 years) as a result of drug abuse, and that Nigeria is the highest marijuana smoking country in the world with 19.4% of our population involved in consuming marijuana as reported by ThisDay Newspaper on May 24th, 2019. It states that 20.8 million Nigerians are marijuana smokers, with an estimated value of $15.3billion spent yearly. He mentioned drugs that are being abused in various primary schools as well. He was consummated with deep emotions as he critically gave his presentation on the ills and moral decadence in the society today. He is pained by the 1 out of 5 senior secondary school students that smokes cannabis, which is fuelling cultism and radicalism in our institutions of learning nowadays and the fatal damages of colorado, a poly drug currently wrecking havoc amongst the youths in the country were all contained in his presentation.

While thanking the Primate for the honour to speaking on the subject, Irakpo reiterated the fact that drug scourge is a global problem and that Nigeria is badly affected by it.

He agreed that the “challenge starring at us in the face is the excessive consumption/abuse of these legal drugs which are certified safe for human consumption by government agencies like NAFDAC, and other internationally recognized agencies.

Also speaking at the event, which was themed ‘’ABIDING IN CHRIST – GOD’S PANACEA IN AN UNSTABLE WORLD‘’, and drawing inferences fro with the Bible book of John 15 vs. 1-8, Primate Ndukuba admonished on the benefits of abiding in Christ and the consequences of the contrary.

He also commended the Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) led NDLEA and Irakpo for their efforts in the fight against drug abuse.

Ndukuba’s giant stride as leader of the Communion is seen in the Centenary City Project, a multi-billion naira mega project of unimaginable magnitude, located on a 1,500 hectares of land behind the PAN Africa University Ibeju-Lekki at Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos state. He is also credited with the establishment of Lagoon Radio and online TV.

The event was attended by prominent leaders in the Anglican communion including The Most Revd Dr Foley Beach, Primate of Anglican Church North America (ACNA) and Chairman (GAFCON), Bishops, Archbishops, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Also present were Governors Dapo Abiodun and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ogun and Ondo states respectively and Lagos State Commissioner for Health.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of Exemplary Leadership Qualities Awards to the state governors.

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Gov Adeleke Mourns Late Erelu Ayeni, Says She Was Exceptional

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The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Erelu (Mrs.) Anthonia Abiodun Ayeni, fondly known as “Mama Yemi” or “Madam YEMKEM.”

Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late Erelu Ayeni, Governor Adeleke described her as a pillar of strength and an embodiment of grace and hospitality. He fondly recalled her warmth and kindness, particularly during his visits to Oye-Ekiti, where she consistently made him feel at home.

“Erelu was an exceptional woman who treated me with the utmost care and respect. Her kindness and thoughtfulness were unparalleled,” Adeleke remarked.

The Governor recounted how Erelu Ayeni and her husband played a significant role in supporting his political journey. “When I shared my intention to run for governor, they not only prayed for me but also stood by me as pillars of encouragement. Even during the challenging aftermath of my first gubernatorial election, their unwavering support remained a source of strength,” he said.

Governor Adeleke further extolled Erelu Ayeni’s virtues as a loving wife, devoted mother, and a beacon of hope and support to her community. He emphasized that her exemplary character and selfless commitment to others had left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

“Mama Yemi’s generosity and steadfast faith will be deeply missed. While we mourn her departure, we take solace in the fact that she is now resting in the bosom of the Lord,” Adeleke concluded.

The Governor’s tribute was a testament to the profound impact Erelu Ayeni had on those around her, as family, friends, and well-wishers continue to mourn her loss.

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Again, Kemi Badenoch Lashes Out at Nigeria Says Country’s ‘Dream Killer’

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The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”

Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.

“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.

“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.

“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.

“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.

“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”

Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.

She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.

She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.

“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”

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Glo Festival of Joy Promo Draw Holds in Abuja 

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In furtherance of its ongoing scheme to excite and reward its subscribers across the country, Globacom, on Friday, in Abuja, held another draw to select winners in its Festival of Joy consumer promotion.

The draw, held at the Gloworld, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse, had the presence of several observers including Glo subscribers, members of the media and Martin Oteh who led officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to witness the process.

The company had before now presented prizes to winners in several cities since the promo started in October 2024, enabling hundreds of Nigerians who won various prizes to end the year 2024 on a joyful note.

As is the tradition since the start of the promo, the draw precedes the prize presentation exercise, which is to be done on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the same Glo office at Wuse, Abuja. The lucky subscribers include the winner of a brand new Toyota Prado and winners of tricycle, sewing machines, generators and grinding machines.

Globacom encouraged new and existing subscribers to dial *611# to opt into the promo and to also keep recharging (voice and data) during the promo period, in order to be eligible to win the prizes on offer. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“New and existing customers are to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for the grinding machine, a recharge of N1,000 in a week will be eligible for the draw”, the company noted.

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