By Zarumi Mashood
The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the state is taking more tougher measures against drug abuse and illicit substances because of its harmful effects on the society.
“First of all, we are doing sensitization and we also make sure that at school levels. The teachers are being sensitized and also ensure that we subject them to mandatory drug test before being employed to be part of the system,” AbdulRazaq told reporters at a road walk to commemorate the 2025 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and other illicit substances in Ilorin, the state capital.
“We are taking it down to the school level where teachers and students will be taking the drug test before taking exams to make sure that those students are fit before taking any kind of exams,” AbdulRazaq said.
Represented by the commissioner for Social Development Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam, AbdulRazaq said the state will henceforth book any driver caught over speeding to undergo mandatory drug test to certify them free of drug abuse and illicit substances.
“We are also taking it down to societal level. If we see that you are over speeding, we will give you a ticket to go and do drug abuse test and make sure that the over speeding is not as a result of illicit substances. So we are doing a lot,” the Governor disclosed.
He also said that the government has extended its mandatory drug test initially meant for those seeking teaching jobs under its employment, to students as a condition they must fulfil before writing examinations.
He said that the state had recently made drug test mandatory for successful applicants shortlisted for teaching jobs out of which eight of them failed the test and forfeited their employment slots.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Hon. Haliru Olalekan Mikail, called for concerted efforts to curb the menace of drug abuse and illicit substances on the society.
“We can’t blame anybody, it’s our collective responsibility. We all have to go out there and fight the menace because it can hinder our state and community development. It can do a lot of bad to our society. So, we don’t apportion blame at this moment, things have gone bad already, we are looking at how we can salvage the situation”, he said
Kwara State commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Hajia Fatima Popoola, and the deputy chief whip, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mariam Aladi, expressed satisfaction with the level of sensitization and measures put in place by the state government to stem the tide.
For her part, Executive Director Bundies Care Support Initiative, Funmilayo Osiegbu stressed the need for the state government to declare Kwara free of tobacco, especially for children in order to save innocent children from smoking and vaping.
The team also took the drug abuse campaign to Irepodun Local Government Traditional Council under the chairmanship of Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu ll.
The Vice Chairman of Traditional Council and Olomu of Omu-Aran Oba Raheem Oladele Adeoti who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, said the increase in the number of people abusing drug in Nigeria is very alarming.
While praising the team for taking the campaign against the menace to the grassroots, he emphasized the need of all the relevant stakeholders to join hands together in fighting the menace.
The Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, in his remarks during the campaign sensitization to his palace, described drug abuse as the root of social vices among the youth.
Oba Titiloye assured the team of his total commitment and support towards eradicating the drug abuse in Oro Kingdom and the state at large.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Break the Chain: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery For All’.
