Ajunwa calls for concerted efforts against drug abuse, trafficking, cultism

Ahead of the 2024 International Day against Illicit drugs and cultism, Olympics 1996 heroine, Chioma Ajunwa Oparah, has called for more concerted efforts to curb the menace of drug abuse, trafficking and cultism in Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the yearly International Day Against Illicit Drugs and Cultism campaign conference billed for June 26, 2024 at the Police College Ikeja, Lagos, which theme is, “Investing in the prevention of drug abuse,” Ajunwa-Oparah said that more youths are daily being lured into drug abuse and trafficking and also gangsterism.

“We all know that illicit drugs are the oxygen for gangsterism and crime,” said Ajunwa. “Because of the adverse effect of the social and economic challenge we are currently facing, more youths are taking to drugs and we need to step up our campaign to curb the menace,” she said. She said all is set for the conference which would be attended by sports men and women, sports clubs and schools in and around Ikeja.

“We are set to go for this year’s conference. Over 30 clubs and 20 schools have registered to attend and we are expecting guests from within and outside Nigeria,” she said.

According to Ajunwa-Opara, the keynote address would be given by Ms Delight Adaukwuaro from the Maxwell School of Leadership in the USA. She listed the dignitaries expected at the conference to include Prof. Haastrup Adeyemi of the University of Lagos, Imelda Nwajiofor, a Federal Commissioner for conflict and resolution, the Chairperson of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Dr. Eric Ni, Ms Yan Yuqing from the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, and Evangelist Chioma Adeoye, wife of the Deputy Inspector General of Police.