By Lanre Oloyede
In a significant move aimed at bolstering the fight against drug abuse and related social vices, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has been appointed as the Grand Patron of the Youth Awareness Council on Drug Abuse.
The appointment letter was officially presented to him during a courtesy visit by the Council’s Director General, Hon. Seidu Hassan Jakusko, along with other key members of the Executive, in Abuja.
The Youth Awareness Council on Drug Abuse is a prominent organization dedicated to creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, particularly targeting students in primary, secondary schools, and higher institutions.
The Council’s mission extends to raising awareness among youths and women with disabilities, aiming to prevent substance abuse, child abuse, prostitution, and other social vices exacerbated by poverty.
During the presentation of the appointment letter, Hon. Jakusko highlighted the reasons behind choosing SSAP Abba Isa as their Grand Patron.
He described Hon. Abba Isa as a source of inspiration for the association, noting his exemplary leadership and ability to guide others on the right path. “He is an inspiration to the association, as a leader who shows the direction and path to follow,” Jakusko stated.
In response to the honor, SSAP Abba Isa expressed his excitement and sense of responsibility that comes with the role.
The Senior Presidential aide expressed concern over the rising number of youths, including those with disabilities, who are falling into drug abuse and other vices, largely due to the challenging economic conditions in the country.
However, the SSAP was optimistic about the future, noting that the government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively working to address these issues.
The Presidential aide cited several life-transforming initiatives that the government has rolled out, which he believes will help to mitigate the prevalence of these vices and improve the overall well-being of the youth.
He also took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of integrating persons with disabilities into the Council’s executive structures, a suggestion that the Council’s leadership expressed readiness to implement.
The appointment of SSAP Abba Isa as Grand Patron is expected to further galvanize efforts to combat drug abuse and its associated challenges, particularly among vulnerable groups such as youths and persons with disabilities, aligning with the broader objectives of the current administration.
