The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has teamed up with the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State to combat rising drug abuse among young people in the community.
The Wife of the Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, made this known during the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child celebration held at the council headquarters in Ikem.
The event, themed “Holistic transformation and development: building self-esteem in boys – stand up, be heard and be seen”, was organized in collaboration with the office of the wife of the Enugu State governor and the NDLEA.
Obeagu stressed the urgent need to address the dangers of hard drug use, noting that it continues to negatively affect the development and well-being of boys and youths in the area.
She said that some of them consume marijuana, Colorado known as Kolos, Cocaine, Codeine, Pills, Loud among others which posed serious threat to their future
“We are determined to tackle it head-on and will keep partnering with NDLEA to ensure that our boys grow up healthy, strong, and educated on the dangers of substance abuse.
“As many of you know, some boys fall into drugs because of depression, peer pressure, what they see around them in schools, streets and in their homes.
“But I say to them today, nothing is worth you throwing away your life. Once you are caught in it, it is hard to break free. But the message is clear today: Don’t let drugs define you.
“Being a “big boy” is not about what you smoke or drink. It’s about who you are and how you treat others,” she advised.
Obeagu pledged continued partnership with the NDLEA to ensure that communities and youths in the council Area live in a drug- free environment.
Regretting that only girls were being celebrated, Obeagu called for support for boys and urged them to speak out when being abused.
In her address, the Wife of Enugu Governor, Nkechinyere Mbah, pointed out that the theme resonated deeply with the aspirations she held for every child in the state.
Mbah, represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mrs Chidi Egeonu, expressed the importance of nurturing boys’ self-esteem, empowerment to find their voices and ensuring they felt seen and valued within communities.
She commended Obeagu for collaborating with the NDLEA in inaugurating the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Clubs in schools, saying it would help reduce divesting effect of drug abuse on youths.
In his remark, Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mr Obiora Obeagu, added that youth empowerment and development would happen when healthy and viable population to drive it abuses substances.
He, however, pledged to strengthen partnership with NDLEA to tackle menace of illicit drug intake in the area.
Mr Ibezimako Owunwa, Deputy Commander, Drug and Rehabilitation, NDLEA, Enugu, reiterated the agency’s determination to go after drug dealers in the state who lured younger ones into substance abuse.
Owunwa encouraged the boys to shun consumption of hard drugs, revealing to them that it could hinder their set dreams in life.
The Traditional Ruler of Ikem Uno Autonomous Community, Mr Okey Ogbodo, also pledged to take the campaign to other traditional rulers in the area to sensitise communities members on dangers of drug abuse.
Highlights of the event include the inauguration of the war against Drug abuse (WADA) Clubs in Isi-Uzo Secondary Schools and presentation of gifts to outstanding students.
