UN Day Against Drug Abuse: NDLEA Delta Ports Command Renews Anti-drug Campaign in Warri
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Delta Ports Command has reaffirmed its commitment to sensitise the society, especially Deltans in coastal communities against drug abuse.
This was made known In a statement by the principal staff officer on media and advocacy, Delta Ports Command, Paul Okoh while commemorating the United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Warri Delta State.
The Agency (NDLEA) Delta Ports Command, recently embarked on a Road Walk as part of several weeklong events packaged to commemorate the 2024 United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to the agency, "The aim of the Road Walk was to increase drug awareness among stakeholders within Delta Ports and communities along the waterways in Delta State".
Ann Nnenna Okoebor, Commander of Narcotics, Commander NDLEA Delta Ports Command in her welcome speech to participants at the event, highlighted the Novelty of the Road Walk in Delta Ports while appreciating existing synergy between NDLEA Delta Ports Command and Government Agencies along with other stakeholders in and around the port communities.
The Commander emphasized the aptness of the theme for 2024 World Drug Day which is “The evidence is clear; invest in prevention” as it focuses attention on credible statistics which is evidence that effective Drug Abuse prevention during formative ages of individuals can curb the menace of Drug scourge in our communities.
She reiterated that the Command is committed to ramping up export and import examination of cargo in collaboration with other sister agencies to ensure that Delta Ports is drug free. Finally, she appealed to all stakeholders within the Ports and the riverine communities at large to collaborate with NDLEA Delta Ports command by joining the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative of the Chairman Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Mohammad Marwa (Rtd).
The walk commenced at about 10:30am at the main gate of the NPA New Port Warri. Participants at the event consisted of the Commander, officers and men of NDLEA Delta Ports Command, representatives of Government Agencies including Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Port Authority Police (PAP) Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NPA Fire Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), representatives of various NGOs i.e. Friends Against Drug Abuse (FADA), International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Delta State Branch , Amazing Grace Empowerment Initiative (AGEI) Warri, representatives of terminals, shipping agents and other stakeholders in Delta Ports, some school pupils and their teachers.
Most participants were kitted in anti-drug abuse customized T-shirts and face caps. An ambulance from the NPA clinic was also on hand.
The mammoth crowd walked to Miller Waterside Jetty by Old Port, then to Warri Sapele Road, going past Warri South Local Government Area Headquarters to Main Market Warri then to Okere Roundabout through Okere Road, past Okere Prison Warri.
All the while, tens of thousands of hand bills containing brief facts about drug abuse were shared to excited passersby and persons in vehicles, tricycles, business shops and offices. The convoy of cars, mini trucks, buses and walking participants who carried placards and posters with anti-drug abuse messages surged ahead blaring music, sirens and Delta Ports Command’s anti-drug abuse jingles through Ajamimogha to Okerede Itshekiri and had a brief stop at the gate of the Palace of the Olu of Warri.
The walk continued to Angle Park Roundabout opposite Alfred Rewane Villa. The crowd moved through Ogunu Road past Federal Government College, Warri, before concluding at Warri New Port main gate. All participants were refreshed and given souvenirs amidst photograph sessions. The Drug awareness/sensitization walk was a huge success covering over 12 kilometers and enlightening thousands of people on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The weeklong events commemorating the United Nations World Drug Day began with a sensitization lecture at Kenekedomeme Community, Ogbe-Ijoh, in Warri South Local Government Area on 22nd June, 2024. A Road Walk took place within Warri town and radio sensitization programs at Kpoko 100.5 FM and Crown FM, both in Warri, Delta State on 26th June, 2024.
It continued Friday, 28th June 2024 with the Command conducting WADA sensitization during Jummat prayers at NPA Mosque, Warri.
The events concluded on Sunday, 30th June, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ugborikoko, Effurun, Delta State where a Thanksgiving Mass was held and the Command sensitized the congregation on “Dangers of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”.
The Chief Imam at the Mosque, the Parish Priest at the Catholic Church, and the Chairman of ISSUP Delta State Branch were all decorated as Ambassadors of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
