The 7th Annual constituency stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday 19th August simultaneously across 40 constituencies and was themed Increasing Wave Of Drug Abuse : A Threat To Nation Building highlighted the adverse effect of drug abuse and its detrimental effects to our society.
The program which held at the the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council with The Chief Host, Amuwo Odofin 1 House Of Assembly Representative, Hon Mrs Mojisolaoluwa Alli Macaulay on Thursday 19th August 2021 , was not only a gathering to deliberate on the issues around illicit use of drugs the but also birthed new ideas and suggestions on how drug issue can be tackled in the local government and the state.
” We all have a role to play” echoed by Hon Mojisolaoluwa Alli Macaulay while elaborating on the KEY NOTE ADDRESS yesterday – teachers, parents, students and even owners of facilities and hide outs where these acts are carried out said the lawmaker..
” The use and abuse of drugs is fast becoming prevalent amongst adults and especially the youths. Drug abuse has been identified to have diverse and devastating effects on the safety and progress of the society.
Apart from its negative social effects such as violent crimes, disruption of the family, child abuse and neglect, as well as unemployment, it has been associated with some other criminal behaviours such as gang formations, cultism, armed robbery, rape and other social disturbances.
There are also the economic and health effects such as loss of job, dropping out of school, stealing, and complicated health issues such as persistent nausea, changes in appetite and weight loss, liver damage, seizures, stroke, mental confusion, memory loss and brain damage, and lung disease.
All these have far-reaching consequences on both government spending and public safety.
Besides, more disturbing is the revelation of experts who have established the nexus between the menace of drug abuse and rising incidences of violent crimes in the country such as kidnapping and banditry.”
it is highly instructive to note that the true measure of any progressive society, state, or nation is not merely by its success in the provision of social and infrastructural facilities or its economic achievements, but by the “average achievement in the key dimensions of human development, a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and having a decent standard of living”.
So it must be understood that when we talk about nation-building, it is not merely about the establishment of beautiful structures and recreational facilities but the process of engaging all residents, especially the youth in the development of the nation by ensuring the safety and sanity of all; by nurturing, building and protecting the younger generation who would not destroy but protect our legacy and lead us to the next generation.
The House has continued to be proactive in the consideration of viable laws and policies that would enhance youth potentials and development.
Some of the recent laws that were passed attests to government efforts on this matter such as the “Law to Amend the Lagos State Sports Commission Law 2015, to Promote Youths and Sports Development in Lagos State and For Connected Purposes”.
The Law will ensure that youths are provided with great opportunities not only in the area of recreation but where they can nurture, explore and utilize their potentials in sporting activities to become professional sportsmen and women.
This would also take the minds of many of them off drug abuse and criminal activities. You will find comprehensive details of the Laws passed by the current 9th Assembly on page 10 of this programme brochure.
Similarly, you will find details of our resolutions addressing various socio-economic needs and political issues affecting constituents and reflecting your mandate to us as your elected representative across the State on page 10-11.
Some of the bills under consideration which are youth-oriented include “A Bill For a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the University of Education, Lagos and for Connected Purpose”, it seeks to provide courses of instruction, training and other related studies as may be prescribed towards the award of degrees and certificates, while the other is aimed at establishing the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, to make provisions for its Powers, Functions and General Administration and for Connected Purposes”.
The Bill is seeking to address the inadequacies in the polytechnic educational system with a view to upgrading the Lagos State Polytechnic to the status of a conventional University that would provide the opportunity for students that have preference for university education to fulfill their dreams as records have revealed the continuous drop in the enrollment of students into polytechnic due to the seeming inferior perception of polytechnic graduates.
While the passage of the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps is aimed at ensuring the safety of all in our neighborhood, the prevalence of drug abuse amongst adults and youths, if not effectively addressed and curbed will jeopardise the entire efforts of the House in the establishment of a safe, peaceful, and livable society.
We call on all stakeholders; residents, parents, teachers, students, school proprietors, religious organisations, celebrities, social media influencers, professional bodies, the academia, civil society organisations, community leaders, and individuals to work in concert with the government for the common good of our society by saying “No To Drug Abuse” and drug trafficking.
Let us remember that our youths are our future and we must show more concern about their welfare. They are the hope of the next generation who can build our State and indeed the nation through positive contributions in sports, politics, education, the arts, science and technology, and innovations that solve future problems as future leaders. Without these, there can never be any meaningful sustainable development in the State and the nation. “
We need all hands on deck to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, the use of drugs. In her keynote address she mentioned the alarming statistics of adults and youth on drugs.
In attendance was The Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Hon. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh, Vice Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government, NDLEA Representatives ,Leader of the Legislative Council, Councillors, Apex Leaders, Youth Leaders, Religious Leaders, Traditional Leaders and ambassadors from festac girls secondary school.
