The Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has restated government's commitment to partner with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse in the state.

Governor Ahmed stated this on thursday during the foundation laying ceremony of a modern rehabilitation centre for drug dependent persons in the state, at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Ilorin the Kwara state capital, North central Nigeria.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdul Kayode Issa, also restated government's resolve to continue to engage the youth positively to further position them for national development.

Governor Ahmed commended the initiator of the community based rehabilitation centre, 'Youth Focus Initiative Against Drug Abuse' and charged parents, religious and traditional leaders to wake up to their responsibility of monitoring the activities of youths to dissuade them from drug abuse.

Concerted effort

Laying the foundation of the rehabilitation centre, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari lauded the NGO for the initiative, and called for the support of government and well meaning Nigerians to fast track the completion of the centre.

he Emir who described drug abuse as a societal challenge capable of truncating the existing tranquility in the society, also advocated concerted efforts to nip the menace in the bud and re-direct the energy of the youth for societal development.

In her remark, the Director General of the NDLEA, Mrs Roli Bode-George, said the rehabilitation centre upon completion will handle recovery programmes, physical and physiological help and regular counselling and therapeutic services for victims of drug abuse.

The NDLEA boss who was represented by the Director of Technical Services, Barrister Femi Oloruntoba called for collaborative effort to establish such centres in all states of the federation for the good of the society.

Earlier in a remark, the Chairman of the Elders Forum of the Youth Focus Initiative Against Drug Abuse, Alhaji Soliu Woru Mohammed described the foundation laying ceremony of the 22 million naira centre as an epoch making event to further re-integrate drug dependent persons for meaningful endeavours.

The Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Femi Oyebode said the centre would assist in promoting and providing healthy alternative life styles to drug dependents towards making them useful in the society.