CONSTITUENCY STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING: SANNI OKANLAWON ENGAGES CONSTITUENTS IN AN INTERACTIVE SESSION.

·        Urges Stakeholders To Collaborate With Government To Tackle Drug Abuse

 

·        Promises Facilitation of More Projects, Empowerment Programmes

 

 

 

 

The Lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, on Thursday, August 19, engaged some key Stakeholders in his Constituency in an interactive session on how to tackle the menace of drug abuse, leveraging on the gains of the previous year, assessing level of infrastructural development in the area and gathering of memoranda from the stakeholders for onward transmission to the executive for implementation.

 

The interactive session which was tagged: “7^th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting” was held at Mende Town Hall, Mende Maryland following the directive of Lagos State House of Assembly for his members to hold the interactive session.

 

The Thursday constituency stakeholders’ meeting was held synchronously in 40 constituencies in Lagos State and was the third one Hon. Sanni Okanlawon would hold since his assumption of office in 2019.

 

The stakeholders’ meeting was well attended by Party Chieftains, Royal Fathers, Religious Leaders, Market Leaders, Youth representatives, CDC/CDA leaders, Teachers, Non indigenes and students with various requests submitted to the lawmakers for onward transmission to the executives for implementation.

 

Among the requests submitted were the establishment of Fire Station at Oworoshoki, the creation of additional markets in the area, formulation of policy to curb drug abuse, synergizing with NDLEA, censoring music glorifying the use of drugs and the use of Yoruba language to teach students for easy assimilation and understanding.

 

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, in his response, disclosed that two plots of land had been secured for the establishment of the fire station at Oworoshoki. He stated that the plots of land were given by Oloworo of Oworo, Oba Oloruntoyin Saliu and that work would commence on the project very soon.

 

On the issue of creation of additional markets in the area, Hon. Okanlawon stated that he was still expecting the reports of the committee set up last year to look into the issue. He said once he received the reports of the committee he would swing into action.

 

On the request made by the representative of Kosofe Youth for formulation of policy to curb the menace of drug abuse, the lawmaker stated that there are extant laws and policies in that regard. He said apart from this, the Lagos Assembly has taken it upon itself to embark on sensitization and enlightenment campaign, and collaborate with NDLEA to curb the menace.   

 

 

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, however, assured the stakeholders that all other requests would be looked into and implemented while at the same time reeling out the list of completed and ongoing projects in the constituency which were facilitated based on their previous requests.

 

He gave the name of the projects as Diya Street Ifako, Okun street, Sosanya Street, Soluyi, Yetunde Brown/ Soluyi link bring, Ogudu/Ojota link road, Arowojobe link bridge, Oworo road among a host of others.

 

He also assured the gathering that he would organize another empowerment programme before the end of the year.

 

 

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, however, appealed to stakeholders and constituents in the area to join hands with the government to curb the alarming trend of drug abuse by the youth in the society for public safety and sustainable development of the state.

 

Delivering a Keynote address at the gathering which was themed “Increasing Wave of Drug Abuse: A Threat To Nation Building”, Hon. Okanlawon lamented the prevalence of illicit consumption of drugs such as Cannabis, Tramadol, Codeine, Monkey tails, Skooshes, Revlon, Colorado, Sinol, SK, 542, Loud, Rush, Paw-Paw A, Banku, etc.

 

He stressed that the illicit use of these drugs is having tremendous negative effects on the overall development of the nation, public safety, as well as the mental and physical well-being of the youth.

 

He noted that increasing violent crimes in the country such as kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and the wanton destruction of lives and property in Lagos State during #ENDSAR protest are attributable to the abuse of these illicit drugs.

 

“The use and abuse of drugs are fast becoming prevalent amongst adults and especially the youths. Drug abuse has been identified to have diverse and devastating effects on the social safety and progress of society. Apart from its negative social effects such as violent crimes, disruption of the family, child abuse and neglect, as well as unemployment. It has been associated with some other criminal behaviours such as gang formations, cultism, armed robbery, rape and other social disturbances. There are also economic and health effects such as loss of job, dropping out of school, stealing, and complicated health issues such as persistent nausea, changes in appetite and weight loss, liver damage and lung disease. All these have far-reaching consequences on both government spending and public safety”, he said.

 

Hon. Okanlawon stated further that in order to build a sustainable development and a virile economy, the younger generation must be shielded from the menace of drug abuse, stressing that nation-building is not only about provision of infrastructural facilities but positive engagement and collective nurturing of the youth.

 

He said that the Lagos State House of Assembly is keenly aware of this necessity and therefore has been enacting laws and policies to engage and enhance their potentialities and development through positive activities.

 

Dr. Ngozi Okocha, the Chief Superintendent of Narcotics at National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Dr. Ahmadu Fatima Binta, a Surgeon and Lecturer at Redeemer University; Dr. Giwa and Mrs. Anike Adekanye, Education District II also came to the event to educate and enlighten the stakeholders on the negative impact of drug abuse on the youth and preventive measures to guide against it.

 

The Stakeholders’ meeting was graced by member of Governor Advisory Council (GAC), Omooba Muyiwa Sosanya; the executive chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe and Hon. Musiliu Aigoro.