Skip to main content

Stakeholders Warn Youths Against Dangers Of Taking Tobacco

 




By

Awajis George 

The need to grow food and not tobacco has been emphasized as the Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with  management Sciences for Health organized a sensitization walk as a continuous awareness on the World No Tobacco Day in Rivers State on the dangers of  Tobacco intake.

Stakeholders in the Health Sector during the walk in PortHarcourt the Rivers State capital said tobacco has lots of negative effects on humans, hence the need for the sensitization.

The stakeholders urged well meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against intake of the substance which they describe as hazardous.

Head Cardiovascular Disease and Tobacco Control NCDs Division, Department of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health Dr. Malau Toma while outlining the dangers of Tobacco consumption, encouraged Nigerians to grow food in place of Tobacco.


Dr. Toma with Perm Sec. Dr. Utchay

Dr. Toma stated that the Federal Ministry of Health came to Rivers State for the sensitization, as it is the core mandate of the Ministry to go round the 36 States of the Federation to create awareness on the harmful effects of consuming the substance.


While calling on relevant stakeholders to join hands in the fight against Tobacco consumption, Dr.Toma advised parents to watch activities of their children and wards as the prevalent rate of consumption is high in Nigeria.

On her part, Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Health Dr. Utchay Chikanele while lauding efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, urged them to focus on the youths as they are migrating from the use of tobacco to hard drugs.


                 Perm Sec Dr. Utchay 

Dr. Chikanele enjoined the Ministry to  increase awareness on hard drugs and access the rural areas for adequate sensitization.

Also speaking, programme coordinator,   Management Sciences for Health Mr. Peter Unekwuojo said globally tobacco kills over eight million people and over twenty nine thousand people annually in Nigeria.


             Group photograph  During the walk 

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health regularly roll out programs to disabuse the minds of Nigerians especially the Youths from tobacco intake.

Mr. Unekwuojo noted that the money spent on tobacco related diseases in Nigeria are equivalent to Nigeria's budget hence the need for the sensitization.

The walk which started at the State's secretariat in Port Harcourt with the theme  ''Africa Needs Food Not Tobacco'' terminated at the Mile one Market.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Marry Good Women: Rivers CP Encourages Police Officers

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu   The dance galore, the cheers, the shouts, the smiles and the waist twisting were the jeers at Agwut Obolo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State as Corporal Jonah Ogwuokwa tied the knot with his heartthrob former Miss. Atainu-Awaji Geoffrey on Saturday, 11th May, 2024. The joyful event heightened as the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu graced the wedding ceremony to celebrate with the excited couple accompanied by some top management of the Police force.   CP Disu speaking with Correspondent Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Speaking at the occasion, the Rivers State Police Commissioner stated that marriage is a sweet union noting that one of the ways to make it joyful is to avoid secrets, respect the wishes of everybody and most importantly love yourselves. CP Disu and the couple   CP Disu pointed out that it is needful for policemen to marry a good and understanding wife,noting that it takes only a good wife to...
1 comment
Read more

Father of Three Kills Wife few Days to International Women's Day Celebration In Port Harcourt

  By Awajis Josiah-Chijindu As the world approaches the International Women's Day, a man identified as Mr. Michael Chidozie working with a Civil Society Organizations in Port Harcourt has been arrested and detained by the Police in Rivers State, for allegedly beating his thirty -two year old wife and mother of three children, Mrs Ufuoma Chidozie to death on the early hours of Tuesday March 5th, ,2024 in Agip axis of Mile 4, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. We gathered  that after Mrs Chidozie died as a result of injuries she sustained from the alleged physical assault, Mr Chidozie, the suspect  fled after calling the brother of the deceased,  to come to the house stating an emergency situation.                 Mrs. Chidozie the victim When the brother to the deceased came to the house of Mr. Chidozie,  he found the lifeless body of Mrs. Chidozie, his sister  but did not meet the husband at home.  Meanwhile, s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rivers State Government Targets Reduction In Gender Based Violence

  By: Martha Igbiks  The Rivers State government has reaffirmed its dedication to tackling gender-based violence (GBV), aimed at reduce its prevalence between 5-10% . The State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Honourable Ilamu Arugu, made this commitment during a meeting with the Heads of the subcommittee on GBV prevention in the State. The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the committee's Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Asimiea Membere and her team for their selfless efforts and level of cooperation, emphasizing that their work is about protecting the people and ensuring their safety . "This is not about compensation; it's about protecting our people and their safety" he said.  "Our ministry will do everything humanly possible to ensure Rivers State is not left behind at curbing this menace.  "I have  his Excellency's mandate to treat this issue and will send my report to him based on my interface with you. Our aim is not only to meet Act...
Post a Comment
Read more