Diri Campaigns Against Drug Abuse, Trafficking

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, led a campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking as part of activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Governor Diri advised  people of the state, particularly the youths, to shun hard drugs and trafficking of illicit substances, saying they were harmful to their health and to the society. 

The Bayelsa governor, who spoke shortly after the weekly Prosperity Walk exercise at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, also urged youths to develop themselves by acquiring a skill and work towards actualising their God-given potential.

"We just completed a nine to 10km walk, which is a test of our fitness. As it is said, health is wealth.

He implored youths to emulate the shining example of a Bayelsa-born United States-based athlete, Victory Godah, who was discovered through the state's sports programmes. 

He commended her gesture of donating sporting equipment as a way of giving back to the state.

"Victory Godah from Ekeremor local government area was discovered here and because of her skill, she is now at the University of Minnesota, United States. She has given back to the state through sports equipment so that more of us can have that access."

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, emphasised the importance of the weekly walk, stating that participants above 40 years would have their blood pressure controlled after taking about 5,000 steps.

Also, state chairman of the Drug Abuse, Addiction, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr Peter Owonaro, said the committee’s outreach in the state had been a huge success, noting that a recent research indicated that the drug abuse prevalence rate in Bayelsa dropped by five per cent from 21.4 per cent.


Also, the state commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kanu Sunny, lauded the state government for its unprecedented support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said the campaign was taken to secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions and encouraged all to join in the war against the menace.



Daniel Alabrah 

Chief Press Secretary

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED MEETING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

Communique Issued at the End of the 2024/7th Meeting of The PDP Governors' Forum At Government House, Jos, Plateau State On Saturday, November 23, 2024

Press Statement Issued After a High-Level Meeting Between PDP National Working Committee Representatives and Governor Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Held on 17th September 2024 at Bauchi State Government House