The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has warned students of the institution to refrain from drug abuse and illicit trafficking, for a healthier future.
Na’Allah gave the advice on Thursday, at a public lecture to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, organised by the International Centre of the University.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is marked on June 26, every year, to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
Speaking on the theme, “Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Consequences and Solutions,” Na’Allah said that the university was determined to invest in ensuring that students were developed into global citizens.
“Yes, they cannot be global, if there’s no locality but the locality cannot survive without the global, they have to work together.
“All these issues of no employment crisis, whatever it is, if you have a global agenda to resolving them, they are often always resolved.
“The global world has enormous opportunities to work together to resolve human challenges, and the university of Abuja has determined strategically that we are going to be part of the globe.
“We are doing this, as part of the goals of the world to stop drug abuse. We must know that drug abuse is at the centre of a lot of crises. A lot of crises that are destroying our nation,” he said.
On her part, the Director, International Centre and Associate Professor of International Law and also the convener, said the that the university decided to celebrate the day, to enlighten the new intakes not to be influenced into drugs.
She said that university institutions all over the world were the epic centres of different kinds of drug related activities and illicit trafficking, due to the combination of different characters.
According to her, the call against drug abuse to the new students was paramount, because the university environment has become a breeding ground for all manner of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“We have a new intake of students who are the freshers, so we don’t want them to be influenced by peer pressures or by their seniors.
“So, we thought this will be a great opportunity to get the experts from the NDLEA, UNDC and the university community, to come and address them about the dangers associated to drug abuse,” she said. (NAN)
