COVID-19: Group takes drugs campaign to grassroots, donates palliatives
- A group is taking advantage of the lockdown situation to encourage youths to stay off drugs
- The non-governmental organization also distributed food items to some Nigerians in Abuja
- The items were distributed through a traditional ruler in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, March 6
A non-governmental organization, Initiative For A Drug-Free Africa Volunteers (IFDFA), has distributed food items to some indigent citizens as the lockdown continues.
The group said their action is due to the federal government’s call for all hands to be on deck to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
The items were distributed through His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Usman Nga Kupi Se-Peyi of Garki in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday, April 6.
Source: Facebook
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Ambassador Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, chairman of the Board of Trustees of IFDFA who led the team, stated that the gesture was borne out of the objectives of the group to partner with the government and all relevant agencies in the campaign against drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and illicit substance abuse in Nigeria and Africa.
Kenneth Ibe-Kalu introduced IFDFA as an African platform dedicated for drug abuse campaign with a single goal of achieving 40% Drug-Free Africa Reality in the next decade.
He stated further that the visit to the kingdom is to sensitise the youths and women not to indulge in drug abuse while informing them that drugs lower the immune system of abusers making them susceptible or vulnerable to coronavirus.
He enjoined all Nigerians to see the pandemic as a national crisis and a call to duty to be our brother’s keeper at this critical time.
In his response, the traditional ruler used the occasion to thank the organization for the concern it exhibited in bringing succour to the less privileged while he admonished the people to always be law-abiding and stay clear from prescription drug abuse and illicit substance.
He added that his palace and his council members have been at the forefront of fighting drug abuse and in the past sanctioned and expelled some chemist and pharmacies within his domain for trading on hard drugs.
“We have also taken time to enlighten our youths on the dangers inherent in the use of hard drugs, and the risk involved in abusing hard drugs and prescription drugs, which is injurious to their health,” he said.
He revealed that the NGO is the first to visit his palace with palliative items for the less-privileged since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
He promised to partner with IFDFA in the fight against hard drugs while commending President Muhammad Buhari for the step he took in announcing the lockdown.
He posited that it is a step in the right direction and urged all Nigerians to comply with the directive of the president, adding that as prevention is better than cure.
Meanwhile, the first batch of medical supplies for containment and treatment of COVID-19 patients have been received by the federal government.
Air Peace aircraft, Boeing 777 with registration number 5N-BWI brought the delivery to Nigeria at the weekend from Istanbul, Turkey.
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