Reject Drug Abuse, Embrace Hard Work – Deputy Speaker Charges Abia Youths

The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, has urged Abia youths to embrace hard work, discipline, self-control and responsible conduct as essential values for building a successful future.

The Deputy Speaker Nmeregini gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the Public Enlightenment Programme on Value Orientation and Attitudinal Change, themed “Future Ready,” organised by the Abia State Orientation Agency, ABSOA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development at the Umuahia North Local Government Council Hall.

He commended the Director-General of ABSOA, Lady Ure Abazie, and her team for complementing the value reorientation and attitudinal change agenda of the Governor Alex Otti administration through programmes designed to positively influence the behaviour of youths.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the programme was timely in addressing negative behavioural patterns among young people, maintaining that cultivating hard work, resilience and self-discipline would better equip youths to overcome challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.

He cautioned against drug abuse and consumption of harmful substances, stressing that such practices could damage their health, reputation and future prospects, and encouraged participants to become responsible citizens.

In her remarks, the DG of ABSOA, Lady Ure Abazie, disclosed that the Agency in collaboration with relevant stakeholders had taken the Future Ready programme across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

She explained that the initiative was designed to address negative attitudes among youths, promote positive values and encourage behavioural changes that would prepare them for responsible living and productive engagement.

Lady Abazie appreciated Governor Otti for his support and commitment to initiatives aimed at promoting value reorientation, particularly among the younger generation.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Chief Mrs Ifeoma Thomas; Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Lady Chinwe Kanu-Uba; representative of the Tertiary Education sector, Lady Oluchi Ihenkor; and Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Abia State Command, Mr Frank Nwaohamuo, advised youths to channel their energies into productive ventures instead of drug and substance abuse.

The Mayor of Umuahia North LGA, Hon. Smart Iheoma, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Chinwe Odoemelam, and Chairman of Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Innocent Nwaigwe, expressed confidence that the programme would positively influence participants.

They commended Lady Abazie for extending the value reorientation campaign to the grassroots and supporting Governor Otti’s vision to raise a generation of responsible, disciplined and productive young people.

Other resource persons from the National Orientation Agency, NOA, tertiary education sector, legal and health professions, and information technology educated the youths on personal development, responsible living and self-reliance, while encouraging them to pursue formal education, acquire digital and vocational skills, observe proper nutrition and personal hygiene, and understand their rights and responsibilities in the digital space and participation in voting.