A couple of years ago, the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, located in Rivers State, took the decision to expel two students due to their involvement in illicit drug activities.

This revelation came from Martins Adekanmbi, the Chairman of the Students Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.

Adekanmbi emphasized that the university’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to dissuade students from engaging in the use of hard drugs. While speaking to journalists during an awareness event held on campus to address the issue of drug usage, he expressed a positive outlook. He believes that the sensitization initiative, organized jointly by the Police Community Relations Committee and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, holds promise in effectively combating this problem.

Furthermore, Adekanmbi disclosed that the university management had previously initiated an internal campaign aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse and other forms of misconduct within the institution.

“The Students Affairs, the VC, the Ethics and the Disciplinary Committee, we believe that it is time to do a sensitization concerning this issue of ethics and discipline among the student, which is under my purview directly.

“And so, we have been doing that sensitization right from Monday, meeting students in their hostels from 6 am, canvassing and telling them ills and misconducts.

“And, of course, one of the issues, one of the main points of misconduct in the university, is this issue of drug abuse. 

“So, we saw the opportunity, the PCRC and the NDLEA, they are very poised to come and address our students against the use of drugs. Because we have our laws and our rules. And in the law, under the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, if you are found using drugs, it is expulsion for one session and a presentation of a certificate of fitness from a psychiatric hospital.

“That means if you are found with marijuana, if you are found with colos, if you are found with loud, and all manner of things children take these days, you will be rusticated for one session. 

“And of course, and then you present a certificate of fitness after that rustication.

“Then, if you are found selling, you will be expelled totally from the university.

“So, we don’t want that kind of expulsion and we don’t want our children to terminate their destiny from the beginning.

“We’ve had two students that have been expelled, almost two years ago, and we have found cases like that.

“This sensitization will solve a lot of societal problems,” he said.