By Emeagi Emeka Williams
LAGOS prominent and exemplary community head, High Chief Adedayo Badeyemo Oki, the Baale of Abule Oki, Iyana Ipaja, Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, Lagos state, yesterday began his long awaited 5th coronation anniversary with life – changing seminar and empowerment programs.
Chief Oki actualized this by inviting officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and those of Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, to exhaustively educate community men, women and youths who gathered in front of his palace for the sensitisation seminar which lasted several hours, due to its speakers audience participatory nature.
While doing justice to the the subject of the causes, effects and possible prevention of drugs abuse, NDLEA’s Assistant Commander of Narcotics/Principal Staff Officer, Drug Demand Reduction of the Lagos state command, Mrs.Titilope Ogunluyi, took the enthusiastic Oki people on an edifying sensitisation trip, by telling them that when things like alcohol which contains dangerous ethanol, Indian Hemp and other hard drugs are applied by individuals, the effect can be devastating on the society.
Ogunluyi stated that while alcohol has a place in our culture and tradition, its inimical intake can ruin, stressing that Indian Hemp, like other dangerous drugs remains prohibited and highly destructive.
She however warned against the illicit acts of peddling and abusing drugs, and urged the people to partner with the NDLEA to fight the menace. Ogunluyi also tasked families to bring up children morally and guard them from negative influences, highlighting peer pressure, failed family fronts, quest for money and indecent ways as some factors behind the ugly trend.
In a related vein, Chief Mrs. Ajose Kelubia of the Stop the Abuse Against Women & Children Foundation with her colleague, took their turn to tutor the Oki gathering on the dangers of abusing children and exposing them to hazards through negligence, ignorance and unhealthy social conducts.
According to Chief Kelubia, the misconception that only female children can be sexually abused should be erased by families who are careless about their males while focusing care only on females.
She emphasised that no child should even be exposed to any trade or apprenticeship scheme under the age of 15, without a foundation education.
On behalf of the foundation, she implored the people of Oki to be more conventional in raising and training children, advising them to be more vigilant and to report any case of abuse, violence to the police or the foundation for immediate and appropriate actions.
A session of question and answer was allowed to make the event very successful.
The Baale who joined all other dignitaries on the high table, expressed delight at the turnout and thanked the officials for honouring his invitation.
The highpoint of the occasion was the financial empowerment segment which saw High Chief Oki dole out support funds to special members of the community.
Masquerade, cultural displays and merriment followed the early activities, and men of the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps were on ground for security.
Timeswatch News magazine and Superscreen Television gave the august event the needed media coverage.
The 3-day occasion continues today with other activities in Oki Kingdom.
