The Lagos State House of Assembly has said banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and other criminal activities all have their root in the use of hard substances.
The Lawmakers noted that the problem of insecurity will continue to remain with Nigeria until this is solved.
They made this known to newsmen at the 7th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meetings recently held at their different constituencies in Lagos.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, who is representing Eti-Osa 2, The lawmaker stressed further that drug abuse has been associated with some other criminal behaviours such as gang formations, cultism, armed robbery, rape and other social disturbances.
“Banditry, insurgency, Kidnapping and other criminal activities all have their root in the use of hand substances. Until we face the menace squarely, the problem of insecurity will continue to remain with us.
“From this revelation, it is not far-fetched to draw a similar conclusion between drug abuse and the vicious attack and wanton destruction of lives and properties by some people during the #EndSARS protest across the country in 2020 that left many properties worth billions of Naira in ruins, particularly in Lagos.
Hon. David Setonji, who is representing Badagry 2, relived recent laws passed in testament to the government’s efforts at ameliorating drug abuse.
He pointed at the amendment of the Lagos State Sports Commission law of 2015 to promote youth and sports development in Lagos and for connected purposes.
Setonji added that the law would ensure that the youths are provided great opportunities in all areas of ramifications.
“Some of the recent laws that are passed attest to government’s efforts on this matter and these include the law to amend the Lagos State Sports Commission law of 2015 to promote youth and sports development in Lagos and for connected purposes.
“The law will ensure that youths are provided with great opportunities not only in the area of recreation but where they can nurture, explore and utilise their potentials in sporting activities to become professional sportsmen and women.
“This would also take the minds of many of them off drug abuse and criminal activities,” Setonji said
The Lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo 1, Hon. Sokunle Hakeem listed other youth-oriented bills considered by the House to include two recent ones for the establishment of a university of education and another for the establishment of a university of science and technology, which aims to address the inadequacies in the polytechnic education system in Nigeria.
“While the passage of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps is aimed at ensuring the safety of all in our neighbourhood, the prevalence of drug abuse amongst adults and youths, if not effectively addressed and curbed, will jeopardise the entire efforts of the House in the establishment of a safe, peaceful, and livable society.
“Consequently, we call on all stakeholders, residents, parents, teachers, students, school proprietors, religious organisations, celebrities, social media influencers, professional bodies, the academia, civil society organisations and community leaders to work in concert with the government for the common good of our society by saying ‘no to drug abuse trafficking,” he said.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…rooted in hard substances rooted in hard substances
Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train
The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…rooted in hard substances rooted in hard substances
and then