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Group, NDLEA, Others Collaborate Against Illicit Drugs

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3 years ago

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Worried by the destructive effects of illicit drugs intake among youths, the National Association of Sea Dogs (NAS) fraternity (Olympus Marina Deck), Rivers State Branch and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA ), Rivers State Command, have kicked off a state-wide advocacy and sensitisation awareness campaign to check the tide of illicit drugs in State .
Other initiatives lined up by the NAS to enhance the operations of NDLEA in the State include robust finacial fund drive, and other logistics development support programme to enable the agency perform its constitutional responsibility .
Speaking at a one-day citizen’s round table stakeholder’s meeting organised by members of Natiomal Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State Branch, in collaboration with NDLEA and Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Port Harcourt, held at the Algate Hotels in Port Harcourt, the National Vice President of NANS, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Kennedy Barango, said the workshop was part of the association’s social responsibility to make positive impact on the society.
Mr Barango said the meeting was aimed at sensitising youths of the State on the negative effect of illicit drug abuse in the society, saying that drugs intake among the youths have become alarming and was responsible for various crimes and criminalities in the State.
He called on parents to rise-up to the occasion and play their fatherly and motherly responsibilities to their children, adding that family is the first step to fighting the menace of illicit drugs in the society .
”This meeting is to impact and make change in the behaviour of the youths with regard to drug taking. The family should play a major role in the up-bringing of a child. It is like egg and chicken relationship”, he stated .
Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant in charge of Drug Reduction of NDLEA, State Command, Mrs Stella Marris, said the Command has about 26 drug patients under their intensive care unit for rehabilitation, adding that the challenges of the effects of drug in the society were enormous .
She stated that the Command was currently affected by lack of funds and other logistics, which had been hampering the effectiveness of their job in the Command.
“Currently, we are challenged with vehicle shortage. The Command has only two operational vehicles, so it has become impossible for us to widen our spread across the State. We are not doing much in the rural areas due to lack of vehicles, office space, among others”, she said.
Marris advised youths to always walk away from the influence of bad peer group, and also cautioned the public against the practice of stigmasation against drug victims undergoing rehabilitation in the society .
In his own contribution, the consultant and Chief Medical Director, Neuropsychiatric yhospital, Port Harcourt, Dr Victor Ojiaku, stated that drug intakes leads to mental degradations.
According to him, the possible solutions to the menance is to strengthen the capacity of NDLEA through proper funding to enable it fight against the importation of the drugs, recruitment of more personnel, and embarking on aggressive awareness campaigns across the State.

By: Amadi Akujobi

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Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

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22 hours ago

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July 18, 2025

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The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

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CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

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23 hours ago

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July 18, 2025

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.
Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.
He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.
“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.
He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.
Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.
Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.
He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.
He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.
He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.
A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.
He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.
Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.
On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo,  called for a balanced focus on security and human development.
“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.
The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.
Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.
“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.
Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

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23 hours ago

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July 18, 2025

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The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in   his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to  abstain from illicit drugs consumption.
Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.
He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.
The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.
He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.
The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.
According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.
The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.
The World Day of Drug Abuse,  was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.
King Onunwor
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