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Stakeholders in Plateau Central Zone Tackle Drug Abuse, Call for Stronger Governance Response
A one-day workshop on the Impact of Drug Abuse on Local Governance was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at MNS Hotel, Pankshin, bringing together critical stakeholders to deliberate on the growing menace of substance abuse and its far-reaching effects on governance, security, and community development in Plateau State.
The event, organized by the Sound Minds Medical and Rehabilitation Initiative (SOMMRI) in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, followed a similar session in the southern zone and is part of a series covering all senatorial zones of the state.
Participants included members of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), security agencies, local government chairmen, directors of primary health care and social services, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community representatives. Proceedings began with the administration of questionnaires to generate data that will inform state policies on prevention and rehabilitation.
Experts Warn of Health and Social Consequences
Prof. Nwoga Charles of the University of Jos highlighted the medical dangers, noting that while substances like cannabis, tramadol, and codeine may give a temporary high, they leave lasting damage to the brain, lungs, heart, and immune system.
“Substance abuse destabilizes mental health, drains motivation, and disrupts relationships, trapping young people in cycles of addiction and societal decline,” he said.
Clinical Psychologist Mafai Dauboyi stressed the need to address root causes.
“People use drugs for a reason, but the consequences are devastating. Poor family management, academic stress, and lack of monitoring create openings. However, positive relationships, coping skills, and a sense of purpose can shield our youth,” he explained.
Facilitator Ndak Zuhumnan Andarawus (Nurse Kizito) called for collective action.
“The stakeholders here are enough to end drug syndicates if we unite. Parents must know their children’s friends, schools should maintain drug testing, and communities must block supply chains. With psychoeducation and government support, the future can be secured,” he urged.
Local Government Leaders Call for Sustainability
Deputy council chairpersons emphasized the need for consistency and grassroots involvement.
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Hon. Mrs. Grace Lapnen Tomwat, Deputy Chairman of Kanke LGA, said:
“This workshop is very timely, and I would love to see it held regularly, even in our churches, mosques, and communities. Many of our youths are deeply entangled in drug abuse, which is destroying their education and future. Beyond recreational use, some also become addicted to prescribed drugs after illness, and that is equally worrying. We really appreciate this effort and want it sustained.”
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Hon. Lawal Yakwen Nuhu, Deputy Chairman of Mangu LGA, commended the inclusiveness of the forum:
“The programme is very positive because it brought together youths, religious leaders, and traditional councils—the very people who can help fight this menace. Drug abuse is rising in our communities, disrupting education and worsening insecurity, as many see drugs as an escape from hardship. With more initiatives like this, we can drastically reduce the problem and restore hope to our youths.”
Traditional Rulers Decry Weak Structures
Traditional rulers voiced frustration over weak enforcement and lack of empowerment.
- The Pankyan District Head lamented that drug distributors are often released due to interference:“Some even operate with official registrations. Until traditional rulers are empowered, our ability to fight this menace remains limited.”
- Bala Makkah, District Head of Chip, added:“No parent desires a child destroyed, yet social media worsens exposure. We are ready to partner with government once a strong law is passed. It is a shame Plateau still lacks rehabilitation centres.”
- Kupshak Goma, District Head of Amper, stressed synergy:“Without collaboration between traditional councils and security agencies, our efforts will remain fragmented.”
- Idris Shehu, District Head of Kanam, called for youth engagement:“Idleness fuels drug use. Reviving debates, quizzes, and cultural events will channel youthful energy into positive growth.”
Youths Demand Grassroots Action
Young leaders insisted that the drug trade is becoming normalized.
- Ahmed Abdullahi Kantana, Deputy KYC Chair (Kanam), said:“In the past, drugs were hidden, but now they are sold openly, even in cattle markets. Plateau ranks among the highest states in drug use—this must stop.”
- Mrs. Firapmun Zacharia of the NCWS, Bokkos, noted the burden on families:“Women bear the heaviest brunt. Some harmful substances even carry NAFDAC approval, confusing families. This campaign must reach every local government.”
- Tromhan Yusuf Iliya from Gindiri advocated for accessibility:“Rehabilitation should be affordable and available in every local government, alongside stronger school-based prevention.”
Religious Leaders Call for Moral Revival
Faith leaders urged the integration of spiritual guidance in policy responses.
- Alh. Hudu Ibrahim, JNI Chairman, Mangu, stated:“Our holy books condemn addiction, yet leaders are sidelined. If laws combine with spiritual guidance, we will achieve better results. We must return to God.”
- Catechist Yeyek Amos, CAN Assistant Secretary, Pankshin, warned:“Neglecting children today means arming tomorrow’s criminals. Many schools lack qualified religious instructors, leaving them vulnerable. If the government delays, the consequences in ten years will be dire.”
Security and Other Stakeholders Stress Law Enforcement
Security operatives linked drug abuse to rising crime.
“Many youths under the influence commit acts with no restraint. This workshop is timely as it empowers parents and communities while complementing government measures like compulsory drug testing in schools,” a representative said.
Other participants called for clear roles for security and traditional councils, stronger NDLEA presence across LGAs, continuity in government policies, and strict enforcement of by-laws. They also warned against collusion between security operatives and drug dealers, stressing that substance abuse goes beyond illicit drugs to include misuse of prescription medicines.
Path Forward
The workshop ended with a consensus that tackling drug abuse requires a multi-sectoral approach combining health, security, education, community, and faith-based efforts. Participants urged government to strengthen policies, establish rehabilitation centres, and empower traditional institutions, while communities play their role in prevention and monitoring.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the federal government to immediately provide adequate funding to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity against Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia), who warned that Nigeria’s disease surveillance and emergency response systems were under severe strain due to prolonged funding shortfalls at the NCDC.
The motion, titled “Seeking the Federal Government to Immediately Provide Adequate Funding Requirements to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Strengthen Nigeria’s Preparedness and Response Capacity for Ebola and Other Epidemic-Prone Diseases,” was adopted by the House without debate.
Presenting the motion, Mr Ogah reminded lawmakers that the NCDC is Nigeria’s national public health institute, charged with responding to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
He drew attention to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where authorities and international health agencies confirmed the emergence of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in May.
According to him, the outbreak poses a significant threat to Nigeria due to its porous borders and the ease of cross-border movement across Africa.
“On 15 May 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This rare and distinct strain of Ebola virus, the Bundibugyo strain, is causing a major public health emergency in Central Africa and may spread to other parts of Africa soon because of the porous nature of our borders and lack of strict cross-border checks,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that, unlike some previous Ebola outbreaks, there are currently no licensed vaccines or targeted therapies specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain.
He also recalled that on 25 May, the NCDC issued a public health advisory placing Nigeria at high risk of Ebola importation and activated emergency preparedness measures across the country.
Mr Ogah, however, questioned how the agency could effectively prepare for potential outbreaks amid what he described as severe financial constraints.
He told the House that the NCDC received no operational funding in 2025 and that no capital releases had been made so far against its approved 2026 budget allocation.
According to him, overhead releases to the agency have also been irregular and grossly inadequate.
“How then can the preparedness of the Centre for emergencies be guaranteed?” he asked.
The lawmaker warned that the funding gap had significantly weakened Nigeria’s ability to fulfil critical health security obligations at a time when external donor support for outbreak preparedness and response activities had also declined.
He outlined several challenges currently confronting the NCDC, including unpaid contractors and service providers, stalled strategic projects, inadequate laboratory supplies, weak biosafety infrastructure, insufficient intensive care support systems and limited resources for emergency simulation exercises and preparedness drills.
According to him, vendors supplying critical goods and services to the agency have not been paid for more than one year, leading to delays in the completion of zonal laboratories, treatment centres and isolation facilities across the country.
He further disclosed that laboratory reagents, consumables and other materials essential for outbreak screening and diagnosis were nearly exhausted.
Mr Ogah also highlighted inadequate funding for the training and retraining of Rapid Response Teams, as well as limited resources for emergency workforce deployment during disease outbreaks.
He warned that the situation had critically constrained the NCDC’s ability to carry out outbreak response operations, surveillance activities, laboratory services, logistics coordination and frontline emergency preparedness functions.
“If urgent and appropriate funding for the Centre is not immediately met, the strength and capacity of the NCDC to adequately respond to the resurfacing Ebola threat and other epidemic-prone diseases cannot be assured, which is extremely disastrous to Nigeria as a nation,” he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Executive Arm of Government to immediately release funds appropriated for the NCDC to enable the agency to settle outstanding liabilities and carry out its statutory responsibilities without disruption.
The lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to facilitate and monitor the utilisation of released funds and report back to the chamber for further legislative action.
In addition, the House called on port health authorities to intensify surveillance activities and strengthen cross-border health checks to prevent the entry of infected persons into the country.
The House Committee on Legislative Compliance was equally directed to ensure the implementation of the resolutions.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the session, subsequently referred the matter to the relevant committees for compliance and oversight.
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Current Ebola outbreak
The House’s concern comes amid growing international efforts to contain an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda.
The outbreak was officially declared on 15 May after health authorities confirmed cases in Ituri Province in eastern Congo. Two days later, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the risk of regional spread.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the outbreak has spread across multiple health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with challenges including insecurity, weak contact-tracing systems, and cross-border population movements complicating response efforts.
The Bundibugyo strain is particularly concerning because there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment approved for it, unlike the Zaire strain of Ebola for which vaccines exist. Health experts say supportive care remains the primary treatment option.
Latest reports indicate that the outbreak has resulted in over 300 confirmed cases and nearly 50 deaths in the DRC, while Uganda has also recorded imported infections linked to cross-border travel.
International health agencies have warned that porous borders and population movements could facilitate further spread if surveillance and preparedness measures are not strengthened.
Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after recording a limited number of cases, an achievement widely regarded as one of Africa’s most effective epidemic responses.
Public health experts, however, warn that sustained investment in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and emergency response systems remains essential to preventing a recurrence.
Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has said the absence of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman for Nigeria’s upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Portugal presents a major opportunity for other players to step up and prove themselves.
READ ALSO: Rolandson Odey Praises Super Falcons’ Senegal Friendlies Ahead Of WAFCON
Speaking ahead of the international friendlies, the former Paris Saint-Germain F.C. defender explained that it was important to allow some key players rest after demanding club seasons.
“After such long seasons, it is good to allow some players rest,” Okpara said.
According to the former Super Eagles star, the coaching crew and Nigerian supporters already understand the quality Osimhen and Lookman bring to the national team.
“We already know what those players can offer,” he implied.
Okpara stressed that the absence of established stars should motivate other members of the squad to seize their opportunities.
“This is the time for others to step up,” he noted.
The former defender also challenged the current players in camp to create a difficult selection situation for coach Eric Chelle.
“They must give the coach a selection headache,” he added.
Nigeria’s upcoming friendly matches are expected to provide opportunities for several new and fringe players to impress ahead of future competitive fixtures.
“The games could help reveal more options for the team,” many football observers believe.
The Super Eagles continue rebuilding under Chelle as competition for places within the squad grows stronger.
“Every player now understands that opportunities are available,” supporters continue to say.
For Godwin Okpara, the message is clear.
Resting key players is understandable.
New players must maximize their opportunities.
And healthy competition can only improve the Super Eagles moving forward.
Because successful teams grow stronger when every player is ready to deliver when called upon.
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