The first lady of Ogun State Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has charged stakeholders on importance need to work unanimously in adopting more strategies in ridding the state of drug abuse.
Penpushing reports that the charge was made at the end of meeting of the Ogun State Drug Control Committee (SDCC), held at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) hall in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The wife of the Governor represented by Dr. Olufunke Oyeneye, commended the contributions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as well as members of the State Drug Control Committee (SDCC), for their determination to stem the tide of drug abuse in the state.
Penpushing further reports that members of the committee, comprise health professionals, educators, representatives of ministries, Non Govermental Organisations, Civil Society actors, Faith based organisations and community leaders, among others.
The first lady who chaired the meeting charged them on collective efforts by upping their game in the fight against the menace, developing and domesticating social advocacy programmes, visit drug rehabilitation centres, and not leaving out prayers, for them to succeed in the humanitarian task.
“Team work, which means together everybody achieves more, should be considered so we can rid our state of drug abuse. I urge you to cash in on the use of social media to reach our youths”, Abiodun stated.
Penpushing also reports that Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, while applauding the inter-agency engagement of the committee members, called for further sensitisation, with a charge on them to sustain it with the urgency it deserves.
The Commissioner pointed out the huge investment the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration has committed into sports development, with the various renovations of sport facilities in the state,
Penpushing reports that Isiaka emphasized that the renovation had resulted in various sporting events hosted by the Ogun state government, which has put the state on the international map.
“We must put a strategy in place to increase surveillance of our sports facilities in order to ensure a drug free environment for the benefit of our youth and our dear state”, the commissioner said
Penpushing further reports that Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state Tijjani Rabe in his welcome speech disclosed that arrest and seizure of illicit substances within the state is a sobering reminder that the challenge remains real and urgent.
The Commander represented, by Deputy, Commander of Narcotics, Ekwu Eucheria, explained that in 2024, the command seized 12 tonnes of cannabis sativa, arrested 687 suspects made up of 572 male and 115 female and counselled 406 drug users with 221 convictions secured.
“In 2025, 395 suspects have been arrested, while 186 were counselled with 97 convictions secured. 8 tonnes of cannabis and various quantities of other psychotropic drugs were seized”, he said.
Penpushing also reports that the agency boss revealed that these statistics align with the National Drug use survey in a nationwide survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with the support of the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
The Commander stated that this revealed that the highest abuse of drugs is recorded in the southern geopolitical zones, with the southwest having the highest prevalence, stressing that its worrisome.
Penpushing reports in a statement by Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf and Adeyinka Musa-Richard, (Information and Public Relations Officers Ministry of Information and Strategy.) explained that members of the committee resolved to further collaborate and ensure sustainability in order to rid the state of drug abuse and trafficking.
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