Isi-Uzo Council Partners NDLEA to Tackle Drug Abuse, Empower Young Boys
The Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State has joined forces with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a bold effort to combat illicit drug use among young people, particularly boys.
This was made known during the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child celebration held at the council headquarters in Ikem on Wednesday. The event, themed “Holistic Transformation and Development: Building Self-Esteem in Boys – Stand Up, Be Heard and Be Seen,” was organised by the Office of the Wife of the Council Chairman in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the Enugu State Governor and the NDLEA.
Addressing participants, the Wife of the Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, decried the increasing rate of substance abuse among boys, warning that drugs such as marijuana, Colorado (commonly known as “Kolos”), cocaine, codeine, pills, and “loud” posed serious threats to their future.
“We are determined to tackle it head-on and will keep partnering with NDLEA to ensure that our boys grow up healthy, strong, and educated on the dangers of substance abuse,” Obeagu said.
She stressed the importance of mentorship and guidance for boys who often fall into drug use due to depression, peer pressure, and negative influences at home, school, or in their communities.
“But I say to them today, nothing is worth you throwing away your life. Once you are caught in it, it is hard to break free. But the message is clear today: Don’t let drugs define you.
Being a ‘big boy’ is not about what you smoke or drink. It’s about who you are and how you treat others,” she said.
Obeagu also pledged continued collaboration with the NDLEA to promote drug-free communities across the council and advocated for more attention to be given to boys, who she said were often left out of societal celebrations.
In a goodwill message, the Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mrs. Chidi Egeonu, said the event’s theme aligned with her vision for every child in the state.
She highlighted the need to empower boys by building their self-esteem and ensuring they feel heard and valued within society.
Mrs. Mbah commended Obeagu’s initiative, especially the inauguration of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Clubs in secondary schools, describing it as a strategic move to mitigate the devastating impact of drug abuse on the youth.
Chairman of Isi-Uzo Council, Mr. Obiora Obeagu, emphasized that youth empowerment and community development were unattainable without addressing the scourge of drug abuse.
He vowed to deepen the council’s partnership with the NDLEA in tackling illicit drug use in the area.
Also speaking, NDLEA Deputy Commander in Charge of Drug and Rehabilitation in Enugu, Mr. Ibezimako Owunwa, warned that the agency would continue to go after drug dealers who exploit and mislead the youth.
Owunwa urged the boys to resist the lure of hard drugs, warning that substance abuse could derail their dreams.
Traditional Ruler of Ikem Uno Autonomous Community, Mr. Okey Ogbodo, pledged to mobilise traditional leaders in the area to raise community-wide awareness on the dangers of drug use.
The event also featured the official inauguration of WADA Clubs in Isi-Uzo Secondary Schools and the presentation of gifts to outstanding students.
