Sokoto State Advancement Forum (SAF), in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), held a one-day brainstorming session on tackling youth drug abuse in the state.
Speaking at the event, SAF Chairman, Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Wali, represented by Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, said the forum is committed to the overall development of Sokoto State through strategic interventions.
He said, “SAF believes that our shared future depends on our ability to act with clarity, urgency, and collective purpose,” adding that the forum has developed a five-year development blueprint covering key sectors of the state.
Chairman of the occasion and former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijani Bande, described drug abuse as a growing national disaster and urged the Federal Government to provide more funding and modern equipment for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prof. Bande warned that “The drugs menace spares no family, society or community. There is also connection between banditry, kidnapping and other social ills,” stressing that political activities have also contributed to the problem.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, urged stakeholders to unite against drug abuse, saying, “A drugs infested youths will never give good leadership in the future. The Sultanate council remained unwaveringly committed to tackling this menace of drug abuse.”
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by the agency’s Director of Prevention and Sensitisation, Dr. Shehu Dankolo, said “the fight against drugs abuse cannot be won by the agency alone.”
He added, “communities must support law enforcement agencies by providing timely information about drugs dealers, traffickers and emerging drug hot spots,” noting that public cooperation remains vital to reducing the menace.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Sani Umar Musa of UDUS identified peer pressure, family background, poor parenting, economic challenges, media influence, easy access to drugs and social isolation as major causes of drug abuse among young people.
Representatives of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Shehu Shagari University of Education and youth groups also called for stronger moral values, community involvement and sustained public awareness to build a drug-free society in Sokoto State.
