By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, Oct. 23, 2026
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it will extend its campaign against drug abuse, violent crimes and Gender-Based Violence(GBV) across the local government areas of Abia.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this known on Friday during a One-Day Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign against Drug Abuse and Social Vices, in Umuahia.
The programme was organised by the agency in collaboration with Sen. Austin Akobundu, the Lawmaker representing Abia Central Federal Constituency and it focused on drug abuse, violent crimes and Gender-Based Violence.
The Director-General, represented by the South-East Zonal Director, Mrs Theresa Maduekwe, said that the campaign would involve town hall meetings and community engagements in local languages.
“Our officers will go to council halls, market squares, to talk to people in Igbo, and the dialect of that area is very important,” Issa-Onilu said.
He said that the agency would collaborate with traditional rulers, town unions, religious leaders, schools, youth groups, market associations and security agencies to discourage harmful practices and promote positive values.
Issa-Onilu urged parents to teach children good values and called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting women and children, adding that “fighting drugs, crime and violence against women is not for government alone. It is for all of us.”
He said that some youths engage in substance abuse in the belief that they will help them work harder unfortunately it results in mental health problems, violence and other harmful consequences.
“Across the South-East, 13.8 per cent of people aged 15 to 64 reportedly engage in drug abuse.
“This shows the need for stronger public education and preventive measures,” Issa-Onilu said.
In his speech, Sen. Akobundu, urged youths in Abia to shun drug abuse, warning that substances such as crystal meth and codeine could destroy their future and fuel other social vices.
The lawmaker, represented by Mr Jude Ndukwe, described gender-based violence as unacceptable, stressing that abusing women was neither culture nor manhood and urged young people to protect women and help end the cycle of abuse.
Akobundu called on youths to embrace education, skills acquisition, technology, agriculture and other productive ventures, while encouraging those battling substance abuse to seek counselling, rehabilitation support and skills training.
He urged the NOA to intensify engagement with schools and communities to discourage social vices, adding that youths should seek counselling, rehabilitation support and skills training through its desk.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Nwobilor Ananaba, commended the organisers for the timely initiative, noting that GBV and drug abuse affected families and societal stability.
Ananaba, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Jane Igwe, called for effective public enlightenment, family support and increased investment in youth employment.
He also emphasised the need for effective implementation of policies and programmes that would complement the efforts made to address drug abuse and gender-based violence in the society.
In his address, the State Director of NOA, Mr Chidi Unobagha, expressed the preparedness of the agency to sustain the campaign against drug abuse and social vices in the state.
Unobagha said that drug abuse threatened youths’ health, education and future prospects,and called for concerted efforts to combat gender-based violence and child trafficking.
He charged parents, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, youth organisations and relevant agencies to promote positive values, protect vulnerable persons and work together to discourage drug abuse and other social vices.
He commended Akobundu for supporting the campaign as part of his constituency project, describing public enlightenment and value reorientation as important to community well-being.
Also, the State Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Dr Leonard Chinagorom, called for collective responsibility in tackling drug abuse, noting that its consequences affected everyone.
Chinagorom, represented by the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Mr Frank Nwaohamuo, advocated stricter laws against drug and substance abuse to curb the menace and secure the future of youths in the society.
The Abia Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP), Mr Izunna Iweobi said that child trafficking and domestic violence caused trauma and disrupted family and societal values.
Iweobi called for collaboration stronger collaboration between relevant agencies, such as NAPTIP and law enforcement agencies, to combat GBV.
Earlier, Eze Chiabuto Emelike of Isiama Mgbaja Autonomous Community, commended the organisers, warning that people involved in drug abuse and GBV were sometimes recruited as political thugs or became involved in violent crimes.
Emelike urged affected persons to abandon such practices or seek rehabilitation, while appealing to the government to empower traditional rulers legally to sanction offenders within their communities.
