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All Hands Must Be On Deck To Combat Drug Abuse Menace Among Children In Africa – ILEAD
A Not-for-profit organization under the aegis of Institute For Leadership Education For African Democracy (ILEAD), based in Chicago, United States, has called on all hands to be on desk to counter the problem of drug abuse and addition among school children.
A co-founder and Legal Researcher of ILEAD, Barrister Tolulope Oneya, made this call in a telephone conversation with our Reporter.
Oneya lamented that drug use and abuse has become a pandemic that needs to be addressed urgently, noting that there are varying factors that have contributed to the use and abuse of drugs and other substances which includes: experimental curiosity, peer pressure, and lack of knowledge about the dangerous effects of abuse of drugs and other substances.
Profering solutions to the problem of drug abuse among children, she said: “Education and reorientation are keys: creating awareness about the side effects and the consequences of addiction.
“The children need to understand the consequences of drug and abuse of other substances.”
Oneya explained that ILEAD, as an organization motivated by its passion and commitment to sustainable democracy in West Africa where every person no matter who or where you are from enjoys the dividend of democracy, there is need to call the consciousness of our children as the leaders of tomorrow that we look up to, and lend hands in all ways within our capacity to discourage drug abuse, for the children to understand its effect on them now and in the future.
She further said that to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, ILEAD has earmarked an essay writing competition, which will engage participants to critically look at the issue of drug abuse and use of other substances as it affects their peers and community, and come up with ideas of how to tackle this menace.
“There are cash prizes for the first, second and third runners up of the essay competition,” she informed.
Oneya said ILEAD is collaborating with Relief For Women and Children Initiative and Mudhouse Realtors Ltd, and is open to sponsorship and collaborations.
She further explained that the essay writing competition will be an annual event to celebrate the Children’s Day.
“At every children’s day celebration, we will be exploring societal issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, social justice, and global health as it affects our children,” she added.
To fight drug use among children, Oneya advised: “It’s a complex issue; parents must be present and must not shy away from having conversations about drug abuse.
“Parents have the ability to instill powerful values, create positive safety nets, and lessen the risk factors that children face every day.”
She called on children to resist peer pressure, as the dangers and adverse effects of drug use may be irreversible.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State government has pledged full support for increased female representation in parliament and the broader fight for women’s rights in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Her Seat in Parliament and Governance: Ward-to-Ward Campaign in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women politically, socially, and economically.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Gender Affairs, Mrs. Lami Usman, Salisu reaffirmed that under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, the state would continue engaging women in sensitization and empowerment programs to foster national development.
The campaign, organized by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), aims to support the proposed 74 Special Seats Bill and ensure at least 35% affirmative action for women across all levels of governance.
In her address, Kaduna State Chairperson of NILOWV, Barrister Julie Ariahu, highlighted the urgency of addressing gender disparities in governance.
She pointed out that despite Nigeria’s commitment to international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, women remain underrepresented.
“The National Gender Policy recommends 50% representation, yet about 15 states in Nigeria have no female lawmakers in their state assemblies,” Ariahu stated.
She cited Rwanda and Tanzania as examples of African nations where special parliamentary seats have successfully increased women’s representation.
The initiative has received backing from key stakeholders, including NAWOJ’s National President, Comrade Aisha K. Bura, who was represented by the North-West Vice President, Comrade Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa. She urged other states to follow Kaduna’s lead in implementing the campaign.
Former lawmaker Comrade Florence Aya, who represented Kaura constituency in the Fourth Assembly, lamented the slow progress of women’s political participation in Nigeria.
She stressed that special seats in parliament remain the only viable solution to bridging the gender gap in governance.
Several organizations, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), also expressed support for the bill.
NLC Kaduna Chapter Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, commended NILOWV and NAWOJ for amplifying women’s voices and pledged the union’s full backing.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the national emblem for the Her Seat in Parliament and Governance campaign by Commissioner Salisu.
The campaign launch comes amid growing scrutiny of gender representation in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Nigeria ranks among the bottom 10 countries globally in women’s representation in parliament. Reports indicate that in 15 states, there is not a single female lawmaker in the state assemblies.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
Local government chairmen in Kaduna State have reaffirmed their commitment to Governor Uba Sani, pledging political support ahead of the 2027 elections.
The chairman of the state’s chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Jamilu Albani, made the declaration on Wednesday night after an Iftar dinner hosted by Governor Sani for all 23 council chairmen and their deputies.
Albani, who also chairs Sabon Gari Local Government, said the council leaders were committed to reciprocating the governor’s political goodwill, which contributed to their electoral victories.
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, and through the support of His Excellency, we were elected as chairmen of our various local governments,” he said.
He commended Governor Sani for granting local governments autonomy and assisting them politically, including funding party officials and distributing palliatives at the grassroots. According to Albani, the previous administration neglected party officials at the local level, giving them only 9,000 naira throughout its tenure.
“So, come 2027, we will reciprocate the governor’s kind gesture by ensuring our people vote massively for him. Political opponents who think they can defeat him will suffer the worst defeat of their lives,” he vowed.
Governor Sani, in his address, underscored the role of local government in governance and grassroots development.
“Local government is the foundation of politics,” he said. “I advise you to execute developmental projects, attend to people’s needs, and share the little you have with them.”
He assured the council chairmen of continued state government support, emphasizing that all interventions would be channeled through them. However, he urged them to serve all constituents equally, cautioning against favoritism.
The reaffirmation of loyalty by ALGON chairmen comes as Kaduna’s political landscape takes shape ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Former Central banker Mark Carney will be sworn in as Canada’s next prime minister on Friday morning along with his cabinet, the governor general’s office announced on Wednesday.
The new Liberal leader had promised a “seamless and quick” transition as he takes over from Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January after nearly 10 years in power.
A political novice at age 59, Carney on Sunday was overwhelmingly elected new leader of the Liberal Party, winning 86 percent of more than 150,000 votes cast.
His jump into politics, after formerly heading the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, comes at a time of trade tensions with the United States.
In his victory speech to supporters, Carney struck a defiant tone towards Washington, saying: “In trade as in hockey, Canada will win.”
Trump calls Canada ‘tariff abuser’ after electricity surcharge
Canada unveils project to empower northern women, youth
On Wednesday he said he was “ready to sit down” with US President Donald Trump to negotiate a renewed trade accord in a bid to avoid further economic tussling.
A 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum imports into the United States took effect earlier. Canada hit back with retaliatory tariffs.
AFP