2023 Conference: Gombe SSG assures PSN of support
The Secretary to Gombe State Government Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has assured Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria of relevant support as the group prepares for its conference in the state in 2023.
Njodi made this disclosure on Friday, when the National President of PSN Prof. Cyril Osifo, led members of his executives on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Gombe.
The SSG said, “As for your request for you to come to Gombe for your National conference. I wish you can change that of Plateau to come here and the next one you go there. If you have started this one much earlier of course you would have gotten our nod before that of any other place.
“We are fully ready and we will receive you. Our governor is always willing to welcome any one that will help the state solve problems. Let us share experiences we are not promising you heaven and earth but we will do our best whatever that is possible we will do for you and leave the rest for your society to handle the rest.”
He revealed that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is committed to combating indiscriminate drug abuse, adding that the situation was a departure from the past.
“When we came in as a government the standing of government regarding drug abuse in Nigeria was so staggering and so unacceptable that Gombe is leading from behind is not a good story. Other indices was showing Gombe was on top and doing very well but when it comes to drugs it is in the negative we felt that was unacceptable.
“We hope you come up with more robust practical and doable policies, programmes that will rid the entire state of this drug use particularly among our teenagers that you see people who are at the age of 11 to around 18,19 involve in drugs only tells you what the future looks like, means we don’t have a future because they do not see anything about education and they don’t go into anything useful and beneficial. What it means is that in the next 10 to 20 years, we may have a population that is terribly infested by drug abuse.
“As a state Government His excellency, the governor has already done what he is supposed to do we created a new ministry called Internal Security and Ethical Orientation. He realised that we need to do something about the ethics which is around the use of drugs,” Njodi said.
Njodi lamented the contribution of some members of PSN, whom he said encouraged the use, stressing human life far out weighs financial benefits.
Gombe State Scribe added, “As a society you have a responsibility is not about your membership most of these illicit drugs sadly are covered by your members.
“The numbers are normally with the pharmacist, you go in there it a matter of calling the code they know which one and they give you, they may not be on the counter they are normally hidden somewhere when you come they know you are for it then they go for it.
“We know about it about the economy and the need to make money, and you need to make money and again making money at the expense of somebody’s life. We rely on you please help us out of this.”
Speaking earlier, Prof. Osifo said his delegation were in the Gombe to ascertain the state of facilities ahead of its National conference.
Osifo said, “We need to visit some hotels and see the facilities present and of course to visit government and to let government know it will be showcasing its activities. Hopefully government should be able to participate.
“Coming very early is good so that we can pinpoint some things that we see that may be lacking so that they adjust them.”
