POWA'S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE & CHILD MOLESTATION

by Mustapha Mamuda 

The Wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and President, Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, Hajiya Asmau Ibrahim Idris was in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states recently to lend her voice against cases of child molestation, drug abuse and youth empowerment across the country.

This would be the first time that the Wife of the country’s police chief expressed deep concern over challenges faced by many young Nigerians across the country.

The IGPs Wife said she was worried over situations where children in the country are hunted and molested by people old enough to be their parents.

She also expressed worry over rampant cases of drug abuse and youth unemployment in the country.

Though it has become a truism that cases of child molestation and drug abuse across the country have become common place, and despite condemnation of the act several organisations has still not been able to arrest the situation.   

It is on this note the Wife of the country’s police chief is touring the country to condemn the act and show support to many children in the country who were stripped of their selfhood by pedophiles. The visit is also coming at a time when IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, had flagged off the community policing strategy to address various gaps in the security architecture in the country.

During her 2-day visit to Kano, she led a procession along State Road to Government House Kano and expressed her sadness against child molestation as the highest striving crime in the society.

 In her address, she called on Parents, guardians and all good meaning members of public to rise up against the menace of child molestation and drug abuse for the younger generation to live a fulfilled life.

While at the Palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, she told the Emir that she was in the state to champion campaign against drug abuse and child molestation and  that it was high time Nigerians had risen together to protect the future of the younger generation.

On his part the Emir commended the IGP’s wife for the bold initiative towards educating the girl child. He assured her of the emirate support for the association and further commended them for their various  Programmes which are aimed at making life comfortable for the police officers wives.

The Emir also commended the kano CP’s wife for her initiative on girl child and called for a wholistic approach towards protecting the rights of children in the society.

Also speaking, the representative of the Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Kano, expressed dismay at the rate in which crime against children is on the rise every day. He assured her that the Police will always investigate, detect and diligently prosecute all offenders of such acts.

Also speaking, the State Commander of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who also spoke on the effects of drugs said majority of crimes are influenced by drug abuse. He called on all good citizens to support the fight of the current government against drug abuse in the country.

To intensify her campaign, the IGP’s wife proceeded to Mobile Police Barracks Hotoro, where she commissioned a mini In-Patient Ward at the Police Clinic that was recently refurbished by the State POWA and named after the POWA President.

During the event, the State Chairperson POWA, Hajia Salma Rabiu Yusuf also called on all good members of the public to respect the sanctity of children through giving them parental care and attention at all times.

She called specifically on mothers to avoid drugs as it would affect their lives and the lives of their children. “She warned male guardians, teachers, neighbours and any other person to desist from any act that may infringe on children.

While in Katsina, the IGP’s wife expressed commitment in the campaign. “It is my pleasure to lead some of the National Executive Council of POWA at the instance of the Katsina state POWA Chairperson who happens to be the chairman of environmental sanitation committee, Mrs. Makris Gwana to flag-off the Barracks environmental sanitation and campaign against drug abuse and child molestation.

“POWA formed many years ago is an NGO made up of wives of serving police officers from the rank of ASP up to the IGP. Part of the objective is to sponsor and promote idea, initiatives and programs that will bring about social, developmental and behavioural changes in the society.

“It is for the above reason that we have come here today to flag-off the campaign on environmental sanitation, drug abuse and child molestation.

“The issue of cleanliness cannot be over emphasized. It is said that cleanliness is next to Godliness. We are aware that 50% of diseases in Africa can be eradicated by cleanliness. Simple and common diseases like malaria, diarrhoea and vomiting, skin rashes etc are all linked to dirty environment. It is therefore imperative for us the police wives to ensure the health of our husbands and children by keeping our environment clean at all times”.

She said drug abuse has become a serious health and social menace in the country, especially in the northern part of the country.

“Drug has been defined as a medicine or other substances that can affect the working of the body when introduced into the body by any means. My understanding of drug abuse is that of appropriate and compulsive use of drug that is eventually harmful to the body and the society.

“The world health organization defines substance abuse as the harmful use of psychoactive substance including alcohol and illicit drugs. This leads to dependence on the drug and a strong desire to take the drugs at all cost despite consequences. The health consequence includes physical effect on the body itself- at times leading to death, and a range of psychiatric effects and the problem of addiction.

“The legal consequences arise from the fact that these drugs are outlawed and using them means breaking the law. And people who break the law, end up in jail. The social consequences are numerous- Drug strain relationships, disrupts education, break marriages and thereby destroying families.

“From the above, it is clear that abusing drugs is bad for the person, his family, his friends and the country at large. This is why we must do everything to stop its rising trend in Nigeria and the world. Report shows that at least 40% of Nigerian youth engage in substance abuse. The drug abuse has been said to be more prevalent in the north, with Kano state topping the chat followed by Katsina state.

“This has been attributed to a number of factors, including a break down in family norms and values, divorce, early or forced marriages, unemployment etc. The maxim that the idle mind is the devils workshop appears to hold in this area. The common drug abused includes, Indian hemp, cocaine, heroin, cough syrup, sleeping tablets, some types of pain relievers etc.

“Drugs have brought a lot of shame on the country. Nigeria is said to have the highest number of drug related convicts all over the world. This is why we have to do something now to tackle the menace. Prevention is always better than cure. Programs should be put in place in schools, communities and other places to highlight to our adolescents the evil of alcohol and drug use. There should be education of girl child.

“There should be a fight against domestic violence. Rehabilitation centres should be set up for the rehabilitation of our women and youth and empowerment programs should be organized for them. Parents should also avoid drug use in the presences of their children. Our religious leaders should also preach about the evils of drug abuse in mosques, churches and other places of worship.

“Restricting access to drugs is also very important and I know that the NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies are doing a lot in this regard. There are also various treatment programmes for addiction. They can be weaned off drug and go on to live a normal life. Drug abuse is bad for the society. It has destroyed many individuals, families, and communities and we must do everything to bring it to an end”.

Also, while in Dutse, jigawa state, the POWA president paid courtesy calls to the state governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shettima, and the Emir of Dutse , also represented by Alhaji Bashir Nuhu Sanusi, Galadiman Dutse, where they all assured her of the state government and the emirate support in all the association's activities and further commended her for her  bold initiative. A further demonstration flag off against drug abuse, child molestation and sanitation was also carried out in Dutse. 

With the campaign embarked upon by the wife of the IGP, many at the court of public opinion believe that such call will aid in the fight against crime, but how her campaign will replicate in the larger society, only time will tell.