By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The Director-General of Good Governance Advocacy Initiatives (GGAI), Sir Leonard Anyogo has charged the people of Alifokpa, his community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River to continue the fight against drug abuse.
Anyogo who made the call during a ward-to-ward sensitisation tour of Alifokpa, where he met with stakeholders, also urged his people to always be security conscious.
He called on traditional and religious leaders in Alifokpa, to intensify their efforts in protecting young people and the wider community from drug abuse, electoral violence and other social vices
According to him, the fight against drug abuse should not be left solely to government agencies, insisting that community ownership was essential if the campaign was to achieve sustainable results.
The lawyer said the growing challenge of drug abuse required a concerted response from all segments of the community, particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and youth leaders, who, he noted, were strategically positioned to influence behaviour and protect young people from destructive tendencies.
He warned that the consequences of drug abuse go beyond the individuals involved, stressing that substance abuse can fuel criminality, violence, social disorder and other activities capable of undermining the peace and development of communities.
Anyogo, therefore ,urged traditional and religious leaders to strengthen their advocacy against the menace by engaging young people, creating awareness and working with relevant authorities to prevent the spread and use of illicit drugs.
He also advised them to participate actively in the electoral process and support Governor Bassey Otu’s administration to attract development to the community
The community was appreciative of the continuous advocacy and the sense of belonging being created by the lawyer and also requested the government to expedite action on the Akreha bridge and the Alifokpa road construction.
Sir Anyogo ,who later had a similar separate meeting with the Catholic Parish Priest of Matter Eclesiae Parish, Rev.Fr. Raphael Mose of Alifokpa Yache ,Yala Local Government Area deliberated on the fight against drug abuse and community development.
Anyogo stated that the engagement will be extended to the entire ward and local government eventually in the continuous efforts for peace and development.