Irked by the incessant rate in the use of illicit substances among the youths and the activities of criminal elements, the Gbaramatu Youth Council, GYC, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has set up its security council as well as inaugurated a nine-member anti-drug committee in its bid to boost security of lives and properties as well as curtail drug abuse in the coastal kingdom.

The meeting which was presided over by the GYC President, Mr. Egbejule Kingsley, and that held at the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, in Warri, was attended by major stakeholders in the umbrella body of youths on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

According to the youth body, members of Gbaramatu Security Council include all community youth presidents, heads of students, graduate and other layers of associations; all serving and past councillors, all past GYC presidents, speaker of GYC mobile parliament and all critical stakeholders in the kingdom.

The anti-drug committee which is chaired by Barr. Frank Ekpemupolo, include the following members: Hon. Ebi Tonjoh, Hon. Paul Uyatede, Elder Epiri Uyas, Comr. Philemon Bebenimibo, Comr. Phamuel Apiti, Comr. Evidence Onitsha, Comr. Zibinmoghan Jonahson, and Comr. Markson Amakiri.

Speaking on behalf of the GYC President on the recent development, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Comr. Maxwell Wuruyai said, "Gbaramatu Youth Council inaugurated a security council. What the GYC did was bring together all the youth presidents in Gbaramatu from different communities to tell us their security challenges. So, after hearing all the views, the security council was set up.

"And one of the challenges that was pinpointed was the issue of drug abuse. So that was what birthed the anti-drug committee that was also set up. At least, even though one cannot eradicate it completely, let's go to the barest minimum because we've seen that we've lost lives in the course of doing hard drugs," he revealed.

Still on drug abuse, the committee chairman, Barr. Ekpemupolo noted that the rate of drug abuse, which is alien to the Ijaw culture, is becoming worrisome especially as inflow of students into the Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, makes it necessary for the social vice to be checked.

"Basically, it (anti-drug committee) was put in place to curtail this drug abuse in our communities. Gbaramatu youths prioritize this particular issue because it has been affecting, most especially, the maritime university we have in that place. GYC as a Council is taking the issue strongly. And going forward, the committee will be in charge, moving from community to community as we want to suppress this illicit act.

"Gbaramatu is all we have, so we cannot fold our hands, watching things go wrong at this time, most especially seeing our young ones killing themselves with drugs. It's high time Gbaramatu youth fight it to the barest minimum to see how we could drastically reduce this scourge. We are standing firm on that ground and we will not allow anybody to use drugs or abuse our children. Any form of drug abuse should be shunned," he warned.

On the issue of security, the GYC President through the P.R.O counseled, "Every individual should be security conscious. If there are cases of security breach, they should raise an alarm for the Council and other security agencies to come to their aid; even if you see a stranger in your community or you think the movement is suspicious, you should raise an alarm. You can call on our security team, which is all the youth presidents, and any member of Gbaramatu Youth Council to come to your aid."

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