Chairman of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd.) has advised the newly inducted members of the Celebrity Drug Free Club founded by the Drug Salvation Foundation to campaign against illicit drugs and substance abuse as ambassadors of the agency.
Speaking on Wednesday at the induction ceremony of four new members at the Ikoyi, Lagos office of the agency; the chairman who was represented by the Assistant Director in charge of Treatment/Rehabilitation and Drug Demand Reduction, Mrs. Felicia Ikechukwu, said being a member of the Celebrity Drug Free Club, which is an advocacy group collaborating with NDLEA, was a call to national assignment.
The chairman noted that following the initiative of the Drug Salvation Foundation to enlist celebrities and journalists in the fight against illicit drugs and substance abuse, the inductees should always carry themselves as good ambassadors.
The NDLEA boss expressed worry over the increasing lack of parenting in society, which has led to a high degree of youth involvement in illicit drug and substance abuse. He, therefore, charged parents and guardians to step up effort in giving good parental attention to their children/wards in the early stages of their life.
For the commitment shown in partnering with NDLEA to enlighten members of the public on the dangers of illicit drug, the agency boss commended president of the Drug Salvation Foundation, Wilson Ighodalo, for his unrelenting posture even as he encouraged him to do more for the sake of Nigerian youths.
The four persons inducted and presented with certificates were Mr. Odita Sunday; a correspondent with The Guardian newspaper; Mr. Iruvwe Okeremute Don, a comedian; Mrs. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, a Nollywood actor and film producer; and Mr. Herbert Olufemi Samuel, a media practitioner.
Ighodalo said the idea of bringing celebrities on board as members of the club was for them to serve as role models to youths who were the most vulnerable in the illicit drugs and substance abuse indulgence.
