Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Consumption of hard drugs, especially Indian Hemp and Tramadol by the youth in Ekiti state has been identified as the cause of high rate of kidnapping, robbery, rape, cultism, thuggery and other social vices.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi made the disclosure in a statement made available to Journalists on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi was quoted to have made the disclosure at a special prayer meeting organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ado-Ekiti Branch at Ewi’s Palace.

The deputy governor also condemned the open sale of Indian hemp and other hard drugs in some areas like Atikankan, Oke Ila, Odo Ado, Idemo and Iworoko road, which he described as unacceptable and injurious to the future of the youths.

He urged parents to caution their children against drug abuse and resist the temptation of being used as thugs to cause mayhem in the forthcoming general elections.

Describing security as everybody’s business in Ekiti, Egbeyemi urged residents to always assist the government and the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of kidnappers, robbers and other criminals living among them.

While urging residents to be vigilant in their neighbourhoods and their farms, Egbeyemi said any information given to the government and security agencies will be  confidentially treated for the good of the state.

He also decried a situation in which some residents collaborate with suspected kidnappers by helping them to take food to the captives in their dens warning that such behavior constitutes security threat to the state.

Stressing the need for love and brotherliness among citizens in the state, Egbeyemi maintained that relative peace and development would only thrive in an environment devoid of acrimony.

He reiterated government’s commitment to prompt payment of salaries and noting that regular payment of salaries had multiplier effect on the economy of the state.

The deputy governor while assuring the people of government’s resolution to complete all abandoned projects, appealed to them to be patient on developmental projects across the state.

Egbeyemi added that in no distant time,  government will employ people into the state civil service.

In his remarks, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe expressed gratitude to God over the success of the last governorship election conducted in the state.

Oba Adejugbe, who used the opportunity to sensitize the people on the need to perform their social responsibility in the coming election, called on all eligible registered voters in the state who were yet to collect their voter cards to do so.

The paramount ruler admonished the people to use their cards to vote for the candidates of their choice in the February general elections.

Delivering a sermon at the programme, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ijasan, emphasized the need for sacrificial love among the people.

Ijasan added that they should allow faith to reflect in their character and always seek the good of their neighbours and the state.

The prayer meeting featured royal blessings from the monarch, prayers for those in positions of authority, peace and development of Ekiti and Nigeria and successful conduct of the 2019 elections.