By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations
in Nigeria, (FOMWAN), has on Tuesday called on students in Kaduna State to
shun drugs as it embarked on sensitization campaign to enlightened students
of Al-Madinah International Islamic Academy on the dangers of drug abuse.
In her remarks, the Amira of FOMWAN, Hajiya Badiyya Sodangi, said drug
abuse menace is wrecking havoc in Nigeria, and the youth being leaders of
tomorrow has to be enlightened on the dangers posed to them by drug abuse.
The lead lecturer, Pharmacist Samira Umar, said abuse of illicit substances
is very intoxicating and causes damage to the brain which can result to
madness.
She advised the students that they should fear Allah and stay away from
drugs. She said they should rather use their time studying their books and
also meditate on the Qur’an daily, stressing that students should keep away
from peer group who wants to lure them into drugs abuse.
“Eat good food, engage yourselves in purposeful activities so that you
don’t dream of engaging in drugs abuse, because the cost and pains of
rehabilitating a drug addict is far more costlier,” she warn.
Also, Chairperson of Health Committee of FOMWAN, Pharmacist Aisha Tukur,
said when the Association looked at issues that were of concern to the
nation and the youth, it discovered that drug abuse is one of the serious
key issue that it needed to support.
She said that FOMWAN decided to zoned the state into three; central, south
and north, saying the Association has already visited some schools in
Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area of the state, where sensitization
campaign was held.
According to her, drug abuse is an issue that is killing the youth. She
said that drug abuse is the bedrock of crises in the country, since one
can’t just go on killing spree except that fellow was high on drugs.
Pharmacist Tukur cautioned the students that if anyone of them intended to
work for example, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), they should keep away
from drugs; saying no drug addict can secure a good employment, as most
serious organizations now conduct blood test on applicants to ascertained
whether one is on drugs before employment.
Similarly, the Principal of Al-Madinah International Islamic Academy,
Mohammed Gashua, said the school was lucky to have been selected by the
Association for the campaign.
He said that drug abuse is an issue wrecking havoc on the society. He urged
the students not just to listen but to also ensure that the lectures
impacts their lives, as well as put all measures given them to good use.
“It is not just about getting the knowledge on how to prevent drug abuse
but, a collective responsibility by ensuring that you assist the society to
eliminate or eradicate the menace,” he admonished.