Hon. Timothy Iheke Inaugurates Aba North Drug Control Committee
The Mayor of Aba North local government area of Abia State, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke has inaugurated the Aba North Drug Control Committee in collaboration with the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP).
The inauguration ceremony, which held at the Aba North LGA Conference Hall on Friday, June 20, 2025 brought together the twelve newly inducted members representing each of the twelve wards in Aba North, the Deputy Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Christian Chijioke Ogbuisi (Oyibo), key management staff of Aba North LGA, top officers of NDLEA, DSS, Immigration and other dignitaries.
In his opening remarks, the Mayor of Aba North LGA, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke reiterated the unwavering commitment of the state government under the quality leadership of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) to the War Against Drug Abuse in the seventeen local government areas of the state and urged them to remain vigilant, proactive, and united in ridding Aba North local government area, nay, Abia State of drug menace.
He told them that their assignment is a soul-winning or missionary work and urged them to be a shining example to others in the society adding that their reward is unquantifiable.
Speaking, the Abia State Coordinator of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu appreciated the Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke and his Deputy, Hon. Christian Chijioke Ogbuisi (Oyibo) for their presence and pledged their unwavering commitment to the War Against Drug Abuse in Aba North and beyond.
He expressed their readiness to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, NAFDAC, other law enforcement agencies, schools and communities to strengthen surveillance, enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation programmes.
He harped on the need for the creation of school-based anti-drug laws to educate and protect young people from drug abuse as well as to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in checkmating drug-control and interventions in Aba North local government area and the state at large.
He stated that the Committee has a zero-tolerance policy for drug abuse and advocated for stricter enforcement against drug abuse and drug-related activities across the nation.
Finally, he promised that as members of the Aba North Drug Control Committee that they we would lead by example, maintain high ethical standards and remain committed to the War Against Drug Abuse in the area.
Thereafter, the Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Timothy Iheke swore them into office and charged them to do the work they have volunteered to do with dedication and assured them of their support.
On his part, the Deputy Mayor of Aba North, Hon. Christian Chijioke Ogbuisi (Oyibo) congratulated the newly-inaugurated members of Aba North Drug Control Committee and charged them to be committed to their duties and avoid acts capable of tarnishing their image such as giving false information to NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies to victimize their enemies or witch-hunt others.
He reminded them that having been sworn-in as members of Aba North Drug Control Committee, they are now part of a growing movement aimed at making Aba North a better and drug-free local government area.
The Inauguration ceremony featured presentation of a lecture by ISSUP with the theme, “Drug Demand Reduction Campaign” in collaboration with NDLEA.
The resource persons including the Abia State Coordinator of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu, Mrs. Maurice Binta, the Deputy Commander, Drug Demand Prevention Unit, NDLEA, Abia State Command and Dr. Chiamaka Rose Nwaoru – a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma-focused expert and drug addiction recovery professional did justice to their respective topics aimed at driving awareness and coordinating sustainable efforts against drug abuse in the nation.
They highlighted the root-causes of drug abuse (unemployment, depression, peer pressure and social influence), different types of drugs, challenges faced by Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, prevention, rehabilitation programmes among others.
According to them, the critical role of prevention or breaking the cycle of drug abuse calls for increased investments on surveillance, youth-oriented programmes, mental healthcare and drug education.
To this end, they called for the introduction of youth-oriented and community-based programmes involving traditional rulers and religious leaders, formation of local drug watch/neighbourhood groups, incorporation of drug education in the school curricula and running of campaigns and jingles on radio, television, social media, hand bills and billboards, organizing youth forum and rallies, establishment of skill acquisition centres to provide training in tailoring, welding, ICT, hair-dressing, shoe-making, carpentry, enforcing and arresting of drug traffickers and illegal distributors, shutting down unlicensed chemists, conducting periodic checks and clampdown on illegal drug sellers, improving border and street surveillance among others as ways of winning the War Against Drug Abuse across the nation.
They noted that the War Against Drug Abuse is fraught with onerous challenges such as inadequate funding, logistics, lack of vehicles, equipment/
facilities among others and appealed for more support to win the War Against Drug Abuse.
They lauded the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his continued support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in the state by donating vehicles to the agency and expressed optimism that he would do more for them.
In a chat with newsmen at the end of the Inauguration ceremony, the Abia State Coordinator of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu described the Inauguration as a call to action.
He noted that the War Against Drug Abuse requires adequate funding and solicited tremendous support from both the local and state government to enable them to discharge their duties creditably.
The Inauguration ceremony was well-attended. Some of those present included top officers of NDLEA, Abia State Command comprising Mrs. Binta Maurice (Deputy State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction), Mrs. Joy Agomuo (Assistant State Commander, Sensitization), Mrs. Agatha Egwu (Assistant State Commander), Ikechukwu Akunne (State PRO) and others.
The newly-inaugurated members of Aba North Drug Control Committee include Mekus Chinedu, Onyema Daniel, Ogbonna Joyce, Ndukwo Chidinma Mary, Ezenwa Kalu, Ogbonna Emenike Peter, James Kalu, Anyanwu Kasarachi Cynthia, Chukwunonye G. Ukonu, Egemasi Jude, Obioma Victory and Uche Kalu.
