Mr Murtala Sodangi, member, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, on Monday advised youths against using hard drugs and engaging in vices capable of affecting the society’s development.
Sodangi (APC- Nasarawa) gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nasarawa.
According to him, drug abuse and other social vices have affected the education of many Nigerian youths and the society negatively.
The lawmaker said some Nigerians, especially youths, were in prisons across the country for using illicit drugs which propelled them into all forms of crimes.
“As lawmakers, our duties are to make good laws for good governance and to advise Nigerians to live in peace and shun all negative tendencies capable of tarnishing their image and affecting societal development.
“It is in view of this that I am appealing to Nigerians, especially the youth, to avoid using hard drugs and shun all social vices and violence at all times for a prosperous Nigeria.
“Youths are the engine room, pillar, foundation, backbone, agents of change and vanguards of peace of any nation; they to invest more in themselves by acquiring knowledge and skills.
“They should also engage in meaningful ventures in order to be self-reliant and to contribute their quota to national development.
“Youths must also shun armed robbery, prostitution, political violence, among other social vices; they must also take education seriously in order to excel in life and for the overall development of the country,” he said.
Sodangi urged them to struggle in life and to contribute their quota to national development.
The lawmaker also called for collective efforts among Nigerians to tackle drug abuse, other social vices due to its negative effects on societal development.
“Concerted efforts by all Nigerians will not only ensure reduction in drug abuse but will also contribute, in no small measure, to the realisation of the goal of a drug-free society.”
Sodangi urged the youth and other Nigerians to always respect constituted authorities, to be law abiding and to rise up to salvage the country from its present security challenges.
The lawmaker also called on indigenes of Nasarawa State and other Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation. (NAN)