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By Madu Obi
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has advised Nigerian youths to shun drug abuse and trafficking as it is capable of destroying their future.
Speaking during this year's International Youth Day celebration at the Awka Township Stadium, the governor described drug abuse as a major health hazard that retards human development.
Soludo, who did a 6.5 km Walk and Run for Life with his wife and the convener of Healthy Living Campaign, Mrs. Nonye Soludo during the ceremony, observed that the increasing addiction to hard drugs, especially methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth, glass and ice or Mkpurummiri in local parlance, by youths in Anambra, has reached a worrisome stage.
"Youths should say no to drug abuse for the sake of a healthy living and a safe society. We need our youths to be sane and hardworking. Our people (Igbo) are known for hardworking, integrity and for industrialisation.
"Our youths are our today and tomorrow. My administration will continue to give total support to the youths in all self-reliance programmes in the state," he said.
The governor promised to mainstream what he called 'Sports Economy' into his administration's agenda, adding that the aim is to revive all sporting activities in the state.
The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, who also spoke, said the state government would continue to champion massive youth empowerment, as well as job and wealth creation, to accelerate economic growth and development in the state through "One Youth Two Skills” programme, which is aimed at proffering solutions to youth restiveness and crimes.
The annual International Youth Day, is a United Nations initiative that draws attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youths, as well as celebrates their potentials as partners in today’s global society.
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