Oborevwori prioritizing war against substance abuse – Bureau Chief
Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, will continue to prioritize the war against substance abuse through deliberate collaborations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and other stakeholders to crash the prevalence rate in the state.
The Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, gave the assurance while speaking as a guest of “Orientation Panorama,” a public affairs programme on Voice of Delta Radio, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, in Asaba.
He disclosed that as at 2023, drug abuse prevalence rate in Delta State among people of ages 15 and 64 years was 18 per cent, with over half a million of the population involved, noting that the number had dropped drastically in the past two years of the Oborevwori administration, as a result of the proactive measures adopted by the State government in the ongoing Drug Free Delta campaign in collaboration with the State Command of NDLEA.
The Bureau Chief assured that the second phase of the state -wide “Drug Free Delta” campaign would soon commence in 58 selected Secondary Schools, all state -owned universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education across the three senatorial districts, in collaboration with the State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Dr Oghenesivbe said over ninety five percent (95%) of criminal activities including; armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, advance fee fraud also known as 419 or Yahoo-Yahoo, and other layers of criminal activities had been traced to the use of hard drugs and substance abuse globally.
He disclosed that governor Oborevwori, at a security meeting with members of the State House of Assembly, Security Chiefs, Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers and senior government officials, emphasized the need to intensify the campaign against substance abuse, use of hard drugs, the arrest and prosecution of illicit drugs traffickers.
The Bureau of Communications and Orientation Director- General, stated that the governor directed that the state -wide Drug Free Delta campaign should be sustained, pointing out that all arrangements had been concluded for the commencement of the phase two of the campaign in collaboration with the State Command of NDLEA.
Dr Oghenesivbe disclosed that the state government would soon complete the construction of the State Rehabilitation Center in Kwale, and the medium centre in Agbor, to accommodate male and female drug victims, assuring that while undergoing rehabilitation and counselling, victims of substance abuse shall also acquire vocational skills and starter packs, courtesy of the state government.
He commended Governor Oborevwori’s unwavering commitment towards the welfare and well-being of all Deltans, particularly the youths, women, widows and incapacitated senior citizens who are adequately captured in the social security and free health programmes of the state government as encapsulated in the MORE Agenda.
“As we mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, be rest assured that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori would continue to prioritize the Drug Free Delta campaign, and war against substance abuse generally.
“Delta is also leading in the area of multifaceted collaborations and sensitization campaign against use of hard drugs and drug control measures in Nigeria.
“The governor is consistently funding and equipping security agencies through the provision of operational vehicles and gadgets to enhance security surveillance, apprehend and prosecute illicit drugs traffickers in the state.
“The state command of NDLEA and other security agencies recently received Toyota Hilux Vans from the state government, and they are doing a tremendous job by arresting suspected criminals, prosecuting them and keeping Delta Safe and secured.
“This people focused administration is also investing heavily in the area of rehabilitation, counselling and empowerment of drug victims through the construction of a mega rehabilitation center in Kwale, and a medium centre in Agbor. Both centres will be well managed to achieve the government’s objectives.
“Upon completion of the two centers, the state Command of the NDLEA and the state government would jointly develop strategies and programmes that would transform the health and living conditions of both male and female drug victims, with a view to upscaling their social status and reintegrate them into the society,” Oghenesivbe assured.
