How Abandonment Of O’ Rehab Frustrates Rehabilitation Of Destitute

• As NDLEA Refers Patients To Oyo

The absence of functioning public rehabilitation centres is frustrating the treatment and recuperation of drug users and destitute in Osun State, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.

Osun had during the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola boasted of functional rehabilitation centres which made treatment of drug users and destitute easy for experts and families of the victims. 

OSUN DEFENDER noted that destitute were reduced in the state as those roaming the streets were evacuated, treated and rehabilitated at the Osun Rehabilitation Centre in Ilobu. 

However, the rehabilitation centres were abandoned by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola who succeeded Aregbesola.

One of the rehabilitation Centres located at Konda, Ilobu, Irepodun local government of Osun State is now a shadow of its former self. The centre was established in the 2012 under Osun Rehabilitation Programme (O’REHAB).

O’REHAB program was targeted at rehabilitating and catering for persons with mental challenges, destitute and those who are homeless.

The O’REHAB centre in Ilobu, according to findings by OSUN DEFENDER, had also served as a temporary shelter for destitute transferred from other states for reintegration with their families.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that drug users and destitute who were under rehabilitation at the O’REHAB centre in Ilobu were also engaged in vocational training.

But Oyetola, throughout his four years as the governor of the state between 2018-2022 jettisoned the program. Also, the current Governor of the State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has not come up with a program or idea to revive the programme. 

The abandonment of the public rehabilitation centres is a major setback forcing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state to refer patients battling with drug issues to a rehabilitation centre in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Recently, the Aragbiji of Iragbijiland, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi called on the NDLEA to provide a rehabilitation centre which can accommodate drug users to reduce court issues and encourage vocational training for drug abuse victims.

Oba Olabomi made the call during a courtesy visit by NDLEA officers to his palace.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the Spokesperson of the NDLEA, Osun Command, Mr. Charles Odigie, stated that one of their challenges as an agency in the state is the lack of a functioning rehabilitation centre. 

Odigie maintained that the state government needs to, as a matter of urgency, come up with one or revive the existing rehabilitation centres. 

He said the state government also needs to revive the Drug Control Committee which has not been in existence for years.

The Spokesperson said: “The NDLEA do not have a rehabilitation centre in Osun. We refer our patients to Ogbomoso. In fact, the state commander of NDLEA, Chidi Nnadi, last week visited the Ministry of Health in Abere where he met with the Permanent Secretary. This issue was raised there. I think they are coming up with a plan on that.

“The state government also need to revive the state Drug Control Committee. It is this committee that would come up with a rehabilitation centre and also tackle drug trafficking, among other programs.”

Responding to an enquiry by OSUN DEFENDER, Mr. Goke Awoyemi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who is Coordinating the Ministry of Sports and Special Needs, faulted Oyetola’s action for neglecting most of Aregbesola’s monumental programmes.