Students have been advised to desist from substance peddling and abuse, and consult their guidance and counselling mentors to achieve a drug free society.
The Special Adviser to Kano state governor on health matters, Dr. Fauziyya Idris Buba made the call, during a one day sensitization workshop on mental health and substance abuse, for students and staff of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST), Wudil.
According to her, the essence of the workshop was to enlighten lecturers, and newly admitted students, on the effects of drug abuse on mental health.
Dr. Fauziyya who doubles as Chairperson Kano State Mental Health Action Committee, and head of Female Anti Drug Ambassadors noted that, the committee had recruited mentors under guidance and counseling units ,across the eight state owned tertiary institutions, to support and assist students, where the need arise.
The special adviser highlighted that, the state government had given the mental health action committee the mandate, to continue working to ensure the effects of drug abuse and stress of mental health is mitigated.
“we have also sensitized the lecturers so that they should be close to the students, be like their parents to make them feel safe”
In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Professor Musa Tukur Yakasai, pointed out that, the university had introduced a new policy of administering drug test, on newly admitted students.
“so that all students admitted are tested and anyone who tests negative to the drug test would have his admission revoked”.
He maintained that, ADUST’s guidance and counselling unit is working with security agencies, to ensure that students learn under a drug free, and enabling environment.
Professor Musa described the initiative of reaching out to all the state tertiary institutions as apt, saying that it would go a long way in improving mental health, and curtailing societal vices.
In his paper titled ” awareness on mental health and drug abuse transformation” the Director Guidance and Counselling Unit, Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso Kano, Dr. Bashir Sani described teachers as those, who acquire the required training and skills to transforms students.
He identified acquisition of knowledge and transformation of learners character, as major catalysts needed by instructors to achieve the desired objectives.
Some of the students, who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Maryam Hassan, Abubakar Nura and Zainab Jibril, promised to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired during the workshop.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the one day sensitization workshop was attended by newly matriculated students of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology academic and management staff, among others.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
