NDLEA commends Ogbomoso group on fight against drug abuse

Oyo State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Barrister Josephine Obi has called on community leaders in the country to emulate the initiative of Ogbomoso first (O’First) group of establishing a behavioural centre in the city to check drug abuse and other drug-related offences.

Barrister Obi disclosed this while receiving some members of Ogbomoso first group, who paid her a courtesy visit at the state headquarters of the agency on Wednesday.

The Ogbomoso first group is a non-governmental group with the ultimate aim of improving the structural, developmental and welfare of Ogbomoso and its people.

O’First group constructed a multi-million behavioural anonymous centre in Ogbomoso, where research on drug abuse and its effects on Ogbomoso community are being monitored also rehabilitation and empowerment of drug addicts, counselling of clients as well as a working relationship with tertiary institutions in the neighbourhood.

On the O’First group’s team on the courtesy visit are chairman of the board, Otunba Bayo Babatunde; coordinator, Mr Kolapo Oyadiran; retired commissioner of police, Dejo Oyelowo; and their legal adviser, Abraham Ojo.

Obi who thanked the group for the initiative said “I’ve worked in so many states and we often receive people from communities coming to NDLEA to lodge complain that their children are using drugs and destroying their communities and lives. They just come and want NDLEA to solve their problems.

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“I often reply to them to go back home, meet and decide on what they can do to solve the problem. So, I am very happy that on your own, you’re able to deliberate and decided to do something about it. I wish that many more communities will take a lead from that.”

She, however, promised the group that she will assist in enlisting the centre as one of the rehabilitation centres in the country.

Earlier, Otunba Babatunde had thanked the agency for their partnership in assisting the group to rid Ogbomoso and its environs of drug addicts and also to achieve its aim of providing welfare service to the community.

He said members of the group decided to come up with the idea of the centre when they observed alien characters among the youths and residents of Ogbomoso which he said is inimical to the development of the city.

He, however, vowed the centre will rely totally on the technical of the NDLEA, hoping on further encouragement from the agency to do more.

Other state officers of the State NDLEA who received the O’First group at their office include principal state officer, legal, Hinmikaiye Rapheal, principal staff officer, training, Christianah Sani, Area Commander, Ogbomoso, Aminu Ahmed, officer in charge of operation and chief superintendent of narcotics, Okorie Obiajunu, principal staff officer, drug demand reduction unit, Ashiru Titilope, principal staff officer, administration and logistics, Patience Aje and the agency state public relations officer, Mutiat Okuwobi.