Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has lamented the proliferation of illicit drugs among the youths.
This was as he charged the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to remain up and doing in tackling the problem that is becoming cancerous.
Oba Balogun expressed the worry during the familiarisation visit of the Oyo State Command of the NDLEA, led by Commander Olayinka Fadile, to him in his Alarere residence, today.
The anti-narcotics agency also alerted about the rate at which youths abuse drugs, noting that they have graduated from hemp smoking to more dangerous synthetic drugs.
The first class traditional ruler was decorated as Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by Commander Fadile during the visit.
As contained in a press statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, the Olubadan said the entire traditional council of Ibadan was worried about the unpleasant situation in the various community compounds in the hinterland of Ibadan.
He said young boys and girls now take pride in drug abuse without let or hindrance, and asked NDLEA to check the situation.
Oba Balogun spoke through his Bobajiro, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, saying “you cannot be more worried than me and my members of the traditional council in Ibadanland over the menace of drug abuse among our boys and girls in our community compounds.
“On our part, we won’t relent drumming it into their ears the dangers inherent in the crime.
“But we want more from your agency, especially through the deployment of your intelligence gathering unit.
“We assure you of our cooperation and collaboration to stem the ugly tide.
“At the palace level, we are in constant touch with the mogajis and baales on the need to monitor their respective areas and ensure that all manners of crime are exposed for proper sanction. We won’t relent.
“Making me ambassador of your advocacy campaign is a welcome responsibility which will permeate the entire traditional system.”
Speaking, Commander Olayinka stated that he assumed duty in the Oyo State Command of the NDLEA a few months ago.
He said the visit was to strengthen the existing relationship between the command and the Palace.
“The task before us is challenging and there is no way we can do it alone without the involvement of our respective communities.
“When we talk of the communities, we are talking about the community leaders. This is how and why Your Imperial Majesty is involved.
“The agency is worried about the rate at which our youths abuse drugs.
“They have graduated from hemp smoking to others and more dangerous synthetic drugs.
[These are drugs] that are now manufactured under various names like kolos, loud and all sorts of other names too numerous to mention, making the future to look bleak for our youths if care is not taken.
“It is for this reason that we are engaging all the critical stakeholders like Your Imperial Majesty with the conviction that with your support, we will succeed.
“This was part of what led to the WADA, the initiative of our Chairman/CEO , Brig. Gen. Bubba Marwa (rtd), and for which Your Imperial Majesty is now being made an ambassador.
“The initiative is an advocacy campaign to create awareness that will spread through the society with anti-drug culture.
“It entails setting up coordinated anti drug programs and committees across the communities which are expected of our ambassadors.
“We are counting on Your Imperial Majesty as our ambassador to help create drug awareness activities that will suffuse society with offensive actions against drug activities,” the NDLEA Commander added.
Fadile also expressed optimism that the efforts will positively impact on the general well-being of the citizenry and the image of the country.
He added: “This, at the end, will lead to creation and maintenance of a positive image for our community and Nigeria as a whole.”
