Loyalty Youth Talent Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation has began a medical outreach to 5,000 residents in Kaduna State, and is also sensitising them on the dangers of drug abuse.
Beneficiary communities include Sabo, Unguwan Yelwa, and Barnawa in ‘Zone one’ while Zaria and other zones in the state will receive the donation subsequently.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Babangida Ibrahim said the aim of the sensitisation and outreach was to re-awaken the youths on the dangers of drug abuse which has a multiplier effect leading to crimes and issues of insecurity.
He explained that the sensitisation was also aimed at enlightening the youths on sexual abuse which was a disturbing social issue commonly caused by abuse of drugs and substances especially amongst the youths.
Upholding Sensitisation
Babangida explained that, drugs abuse was a major factor of insecurity but that if sensitisation would be upheld, Kaduna would enjoy some degree of peaceful and crime free State.
He said, “For zone one outreach, we will offer medical services which include, suger level test and malaria treatment among others to 5,000 residents which will be accompanied by drug abuse and child abuse sensitisation. We will even take the exercise door to door in order to achieve the aim and target”.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe restated the state government commitment in ensuring citizens enjoy the best of health care and education to develop their potentials for the betterment of themselves and make meaningful contributions to the development of the state.
Hadiza, represented by Dr. Joseph Maigari, the Director General of Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), lamented that drug abuse had destroyed many individuals’ dreams and communities, noting that it was the centre of insecurity bedevilling the state.
She urged youths to shun drug abuse, saying it has no single benefit but a path to health, economic and social destruction of one’s life.
She commended the foundation for the outreach and sensitisation, urging parents to ensure good parental care to their children.
Also, Mrs Josephine Jatau, a personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), advised people, especially the youths to disengage from taking unprescribed drugs however legal the drug or substance may be.
She also cautioned against alcoholism and smoking tobacco, describing them as ‘gate way’ drugs which could lead to abuse of other unhealthy and illegal drugs and substances.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mr Timothy Mendos and Miss Mary Sheduak, lauded the foundation for the outreach, noting that malaria and high blood sugar has killed alot of people without the root cause of their deaths traced to it.
They also urged other NGOs to emulate the foundation by reaching out to communities especially within subborb areas to cushion effects of malaria and other common diseases peculiar to the Nigerian society.
The Programme was supported by Nigerian Breweries, Baobab Bank and Unilever PLC.
Confidence Okwuchi
