Kunle Adelabu
-Embarks on two –day road shows before enforcement
The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL) has continued its fight to eradicate drug abuse, a menace which many have identified as the root cause of crimes and other social vices in the society.
The IDPIL, which has the blessings of the royal fathers in lkorodu division, is organizing a two day road show campaign against drugs in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Also joining the campaign, which kicked–off at the Ayangbure palace on Tuesday, were the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ikorodu branch, and Nollywood actors and actresses.
The campaign, which intended to cover the entire six councils in Ikorodu Division, went through the Ayangbure Road to link TOS Benson Avenue and berthed at Ebute – Ipakodo roundabout where the team took time out to educate the residents on the danger of drugs and the need for parents to monitor their children against the act.
From Ipakodo, the train moved along the Ebute – Igbogbo road, sensitising the populace on the way, before staging another public engagement at Igbogbo where they moved from locations to locations.
Hon. Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, a chieftain of the IDPIL, who led the team, speaking at the Ayangbure palace where the team received blessings before embarking on the road show, thanked Oba Kaibr Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, for his support since the inception of IDPIL, as well as other monarchs in the division too.
She also appreciated the IDPIL operatives and the NDLEA, for their efforts in the fight against drugs and other crimes in the division.
Akinsola, who was a former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture and lawmaker that represented the Ikorodu Constituency II at various times, said that the IDPIL is embarking on public awareness and sensitization on drugs and their effects on the community.
She added that action that will flush out the drug peddlers and users, will follow the public engagement.
“We are out today because we don’t want Ikorodu to be the headquarters of drug use and abuse. We don’t want Ikorodu to be the headquarters of destitutes as a result of drug abuse”, she said.
“We are out to clean Ikorodu. We want Ikorodu to be free of drug use and abuse. For the next two days, we want to sensitise the public and let people know and after, actions will happen”, she added.
“But first, we want people to be aware by going round to sensitise them on the danger. We want to let our people know that drug abuse will not make them to be Senator, Governor, House of Rep member. This is why we are out”.
The outgoing Area Commander, NDLEA, Ikorodu Office, Mr Stephen Adebayo Ogunsua, said that the agency condemned drugs in its entirety and that it’s committed to its eradication, because of its effects on the populace, especially the youths.
“Yesterday, we condemned drugs, today, we are still condemning it and tomorrow, we will continue to condemn it”, he said.
“Drugs have taken a lot of lives, especially that of our youths, and it is negatively affecting them. It is derailing their destinies despite efforts by their parents to educate them and make them better person
“We would not allow drugs to snatch our children from us. We would continue to fight drugs”, he added.
The NDLEA officer thanked the IDPIL for its support for his agency in the fight against the drug menace.
“I am thanking the IDPIL. It is one of the best organizations in Ikorodu. It has been the only body giving NDLEA support, supports that we are not even getting from other stakeholders put together”, he said.
“Today, we are going out to create sensitisation about the effects of drugs which make people runs mad and also brings out criminalities.
“We are out to propagate and campaign against it, and let parents know about it and join us in fighting against it”, he said.
Mr Sufun Joseph Setunji, new Area Commander, NDLEA, Ikorodu Office, who said that he looks forward to working with the IDPIL, described the organization as the best in Lagos State, stating that NDLEA has been receiving support from the body.
“My predecessor said that IDPIL is the best in Ikorodu, is an understatement, but the body is the best and the supporting body to NDLEA in Lagos State”, he said.
“I look forward to working with you for the success of this campaign”.
Coordinator NYCN Ikorodu, Comrade Idris Omotayo who said that the youth body is already embarking on its own campaign against drugs in various public schools, said that they are pleased to join hands with the IDPIL in fighting the scourge.
“Fighting against drug abuse has been a clarion call and we thank Kabiyesi for always supporting us in all our activities against drugs”, he said.
“Presently, we are embarking on another programme against drug abuse and thank God, that the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative is also organising similar campaign and called on us.
“We started our own campaign on Monday, by going to public schools for campaigns against drugs, and we will continue till next month.
“We have pledged our full support to the IDPIL campaign against drug abuse. It is everywhere and it is killing our people and we can’t keep watching this going on under our nose, and it is for this reason we care to join the IDPIL for this journey”, he assured of NYCN support.
Adewale Elesho, a Nollywood actor who commended Ayangbure for his support for good initiative like campaign against drugs, totally condemned drug abuse.
He called on the community to sponsor a film against drug abuse, using Yoruba and other languages as means of interaction to convey the message to the target audience.
He called on parents to ensure that they know their children’s movements.
In his royal remarks, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, commended the IDPIL for the initiative and its efforts in securing and safeguarding Ikorodu.
The royal father, while also appreciating the NDLEA for its commitment towards fighting drugs, also reminded the agency on the agreement to sensitise and comb Ikorodu Division occasionally.
Ayangbure, who said that the community is ready to continue to give support to the fight against drugs, added that everything must be done to prevent turning Ikorodu into a drug barons’ destination.
“We want to make sure that our people are not patronizing drug sellers and when they don’t have buyers here, they will not bring the drugs here again. We want support for the IDPIL, for the continuation of the fight”, Oba Shotobi said.
“We don’t want this to be a one – off, but a sustained campaign because this is the way to put check on our children, and it is for us parents to tell them the effects of drugs and what they are doing.
“I want to ask the NDLEA to, please, continue to intensify efforts on the campaign against drugs. I really appreciate the IDPIL initiative in taking the campaign to the grassroots with a walk against drugs “.
At the Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo, the Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, led other chiefs in welcoming the team on behalf of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali.
Odofin Onasanya commended the initiative and charged them to intensify the action against drugs in the society.
