By Palmer Nathaniel
The Nigerian Face of Hope Ambassadors (NFHA), an arm of Hauz of Elnathan Initiative (HEI), has called on government at all levels to intensify the war against drug abuse and substance consumption.
This was made by one of its Ambassadors, Amb. Tochi Eze, in a nationwide broadcast via the official Facebook page of the NGO, as part of activities marking this year’s World Drug Day. Eze remarked that the goal of the NGO was to discourage the younger generation from indulging in drugs-related activities as well as rehabilitating abusers who have voluntarily submitted themselves for help.
“I am Amb. Eze Tochi, Winner of the Nigeria Face of Hope (NFH 2019), CADAN (Campaign Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria) Ambassador, powered by Hauz of Elnathan Initiative.
“Hauz of Elnathan Initiative is a Youth-led non-governmental organization mobilizing and encouraging teenagers and youths to be drug-free, championing the campaign against drug and substance abuse among teenagers and youths in Nigeria, facilitating users recovery, inspiring hope, helping to sustain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs 3), to achieve a better society for a better us. We, the Ambassadors Network, Nigeria Face of Hope, believe youths can become society drivers of sustainable positive change.
“The International Day Against Drug Abuse has a core goal of bringing the world together to discuss the issue of drug abuse, create awareness of the dangers/consequences of illicit drug trafficking and to advance the cause of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,” he said
This year’s event which had “Better Knowledge for Better Care”, as its theme, was marked by Hauz of Elnathan Initiatives with a variety of activities which included; Virtual Lectures, symposiums and donation of items to hospitals, rehabilitation centres and orphanage homes.
Speaking further during the broadcast, Amb. Tochi who noted that this year’s event is geared towards creating more awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, however, emphasized the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how better knowledge and can foster greater local and international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.
“The World Drug Day is designed to educate the public about issues of concern and to mobilize governments, cooperate bodies and private individuals to put resources together to support the fight against a common enemy destroying the destinies of our youths.
“Nigeria presently has a lot of persons, especially adolescents, who are unaware of the ills/effects of drug and substance abuse and are equally ignorant of how it affects the social, physical and psychological aspect of the human system.
“Hauz of Elnathan Initiative, and Ambassadors with all volunteers and partners, believes strongly in a possible Drug-free Nigerian Society. We are therefore putting in strategic efforts in achieving a society completely free from drugs and harmful substances”, he said.
While quoting copiously, statistics of people involved in the use of harmful substances locally and internationally and it’s level of negative impact, the Ambassador listed an array of activities the NGO has mapped out to further its campaign. Some of them are;
1. The Catch Them Young Projects (CTY)
2. The Community Base Campaign Project (CBC
3. Publicity Awareness Project (PAP)
“if we can support each other, accept our challenges, come together as a community, we will change this narrative, for a better us. We believe, a Drug-Free Society is achievable, we will continue to support the United Nations on the fight to achieve an International Drug-free Society, so help us God”, he concluded.
