The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, has pledged the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug abuse in schools throughout the state.
Jones made this commitment during an advocacy visit by the NDLEA Commander in Kogi, Umar Yahuza, to the commissioner’s office on Tuesday in Lokoja. The commissioner expressed concern over the high rate of drug abuse among teenagers and highlighted the urgent need to address this issue to protect the state’s educational investments.
The commissioner specifically noted the concerning prevalence of drug abuse among females, describing it as a serious problem that requires collective action. “The Kogi government does not pay lip service to education and will do everything possible to address issues that hinder educational growth in the state,” Jones stated.
In response, NDLEA Commander Yahuza praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for his commitment to addressing the drug problem. He commended the governor’s plan to establish a Multi-Dimensional Drugs Rehabilitation and Skills Acquisition Centre, which aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals affected by drug abuse.
Yahuza emphasized the NDLEA’s efforts to work with schools, religious institutions, and community leaders to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. He urged the ministry to develop a comprehensive action plan to educate and enlighten schools and the broader community.
Additionally, Yahuza assured that the agency would focus on educating, rehabilitating, and reintegrating affected individuals, including implementing a Drugs Integrity Test for families and institutions to help curb drug abuse.
The visit culminated in the decoration of Commissioner Wemi Jones as a War Against Drug Abuse Ambassador.