The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has inaugurated its Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in secondary schools in Niger.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, the inauguration of the club was part of the agency’s catch-them-young initiative, aimed at sensitising secondary school students on the dangers of illicit drugs in Niger.
Adeyeye inaugurated the NCSC at Maryam Babangida Girls Science College in Minna on Wednesday.
Represented by Mr James Kigbu, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Niger, the director-general disclosed that 14.4 per cent or 14.3 million Nigerians were victims of drug abuse.
She described the situation as “alarming” and highlighted the need for collective action to address the issue.
“This epidemic of drug, including alcohol abuse was destroying families, the workforce, and destabilising our economy,” she said.
She noted that the catch-them-young initiative was designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.
She explained that the programme would focus on educating students about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of making informed decisions.
Adeyeye also emphasised the role of teachers in the fight against drug abuse, urging them to work with parents and guardians to identify and address behavioural problems in students.
The director-general further noted that NAFDAC’s mission was to mould a future generation empowered to be upright and to demand uprightness from others.
Adeyeye encouraged students to resist peer pressure, abstain from drug abuse, and seek professional help when needed.
She urged the students to develop hobbies, concentrate on their studies, and be content with what they have.
The director-general urged the students to leverage their membership of the NCSC to assist in information flow on NAFDAC regulatory activities and promote the fight against drug abuse.
In her remarks, Hajiya Amina Attahiru, Principal of the school, commended NAFDAC for its initiative to educate students on the dangers of illicit drugs.
Attahiru represented by Mrs Florence Jacob, Vice Principal, urged the students to take the opportunity seriously and learn about the dangers of illicit drugs.
Maryam Masaga, Coordinator of the NCSC in Niger, thanked the school management for honouring and giving the agency the opportunity to carry out the sensitisation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured presentations on the role of young people in the prevention of substance/drug abuse and the role of NAFDAC NCSC in safeguarding the health of the nation.
NAFDAC Unveils Drug Safety Clubs In Gombe Schools
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Gombe state. has set up drug safety clubs in schools to create awareness on the ills of drug abuse.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stated this on Wednesday in Gombe during the inauguration of the clubs at the Government Day Secondary School, Gandu.
The clubs were set up under its community sensitisation programmetagged: “Catch Them Young Consumer Safety Clubs”.
Represented by James Agada, the Coordinator of the agency in the state, Adeyeye said the exercise aligned with its mandate to collaborate with stakeholders in combating drug abuse.
She said the exercise was critical to combat the menace among youth and women, who were vulnerable to substance abuse, adding that six schools had been selected as part of a key public enlightenment strategy to encourage youth engagement.
“The programme is designed to combat drug abuse, eliminate fake and substandard products, and instil a culture of quality control,” she said
“The agency has taken the campaign against drug abuse to the grassroots by re-establishing the clubs in secondary schools in collaboration with teachers, we will work closely with students, to prevent lives of addiction and destruction,” she said.
She urged students to be agents of change by promoting positive values and influencing their peers to make right choices.
She said the agency was working to protect the society from counterfeit drugs by reorienting the youths through the activities of the safety clubs.
In a presentation, Mr Musa Haruna said the campaign would enhance community awareness and check drug/substance abuse in the state.
He said the objective was to redirect young people’s energy away from anti-social behaviour, while educating them about NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities.
Musa Usman, one of the students, lauded the initiative, and pledged to educate his peers on the dangers of illicit drug use. (NAN)
