By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The UNIZIK Chapter of the World Against Drug Abuse (WADA) club on Monday, 24th June 2024 held a University wide road walk to sensitize the University Community about the upcoming 2024 World Drug Day Commemoration.

The 2024 World Drug Day Commemoration will hold on Wednesday, 26th June 2024 with the WADA club UNIZIK Chapter collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to mark the day at the University Auditorium.

Speaking to Journalists in the aftermath of the sensitization tour, the President of WADA Club UNIZIK Chapter, Dr. Alexander Orji stated that the essence of the day is to showcase the activities of the WADA club as regards sensitization and creation of awareness on the dangers of drug abuse preparatory to June 26th which is a day set aside to commemorate the World Drug Day. The scholar disclosed that the WADA Club UNIZIK Chapter decided to tour the University to inform and sensitize the students and staff on the dangers of drug abuse and to remind them of the upcoming June 26th event.

Dr. Orji informed that the NDLEA have always collaborated with UNIZIK in ensuring a remarkable celebration of the day with several meetings and harmonization of programmes such as the University wide quiz competition for undergraduate students of the University and Quiz Competition for the Post-Primary Schools in the state being organized by the NDLEA.

Dr. Orji revealed that 938 students enrolled for the quiz competition from 120 departments which they took from the comfort of their homes on Monday, 17th June 2024 with the Departmental based quiz where three top students each from the Departments were selected to feature in the Faculty based quiz competition held on Monday, 24th June 2024. 

The scholar revealed that the final quiz competition will hold on June 26th, 2024 to reveal the best three students who will be rewarded for their exploits while also informing that the Drug Law Policy of the University which has been formulated will be launched officially on that day to guide the activities of both staff and students of the institution forthwith.

On her part, the Secretary of the UNIZIK WADA Club, Mrs Urenna Okamgba informed that the theme of the 2024 World Drug Day celebration is "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention". Okamgba revealed that as part of the celebration, there will be lectures to be delivered by the keynote speaker and other resources persons from UNIZIK and also from the NDLEA. 

She enjoined all staff and students of the institution to ensure they turn up at the University Auditorium in celebration of the day.