Ahead NSF In Ogun, Gov Uzodimma Admonishes Imo Athletes Against Banned Substances

..As Ibadan Botanical Doping Research Group Holds Seminar In Owerri

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has tasked Imo athletes preparing for the Gateway 2024 National Sports Festival to steer clear of Illicit drugs and ensure they bring laurels to the Eastern Heartland without the taint of banned substances.

Governor Uzodinma who stated this through his representative, his Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Ogbonna at a seminar organised by the Ibadan Botanical Doping Research Group- an academic team from the University of Ibadan said Illicit drugs and banned substances are inimical to the society’s growth and that these must be nipped in the bud because of its potential hazards.

The group partnered with the Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Sports headed by Honourable Obinna Onyeocha and the office of the Special Adviser to Governor of Imo State on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Ogbonna.

The research group from Ibadan came to sensitize athletes on the dangers of doping, including the use of indigenous herbs and roots that may trigger positive doping results.

Speaking at the event held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri Governor Uzodinma said his administration has been at the forefront of eliminating Illicit drugs from Imo State and that he is happy the intake of banned substances have gone down than it used to be previously.

“They came to sensitize our athletes on those botanical supplements which people take that do not know contained banned substances. Athletes may want to resort to botanical supplements as an excuse route from banned substances to enhance their performance thinking that they won’t be tested positive,” Governor Uzodinma said through his representative.

“The workshop helped the athletes to also know that ingredients contained in botanical substances can as well make them to come back positive when tested.

“Governor Uzodinma is one who is highly against drug abuse, consumption and addiction and he has been everything to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse in Imo State.

“He knows that it is important for our athletes not to be found wanting in that line.”

The Special Adviser also opined on what he is doing as the advisor to the Governor on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring stating that he and his group are working round the clock to help navigate a clean Imo State.

“We are working round the clock to ensure our athletes are drug free. Prevalence of drug abuse was on the high side before the advent of Senator Hope Uzodinma but it has reduced now.

“We have conducted seminars and have visited secondary schools across Imo State.

“The athletes must do everything possible to be drug free. We are doing sensitization across secondary schools and various communities,” he concluded.

Also speaking after the event, The Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Obinna Evaristus Onyeocha, reaffirmed the Imo Government commitment to drug-free sports.

“Governor Hope Uzodinma himself, a former President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, has always been at the forefront of promoting clean sports,” Onyeocha stated.

“His deep-rooted involvement in athletics underscores our zero-tolerance policy towards doping. Our athletes must always strive to compete clean. Substance abuse not only damages careers but also tarnishes the image of our great state. With the right education and discipline, I believe Imo athletes will continue to represent us with honor and integrity.”

The head of the Ibadan Botanical Doping Research Group, Dr. (Mrs.) Peggy-Joe Nwanefuru Olasehinde shared insights into their mission, describing their work as critical in uncovering the hidden dangers of commonly-used indigenous herbs and roots.

She said their research on conclusion will help to identify some of the herbs and roots taken by the athletes and their effects on their performance.

Dr (Mrs) Olaseinde further opined that they would be ready for collaborations with Imo State Government and other States once they are done with their research and come up with proactive measures to keep the athletes clean of Illicit and banned drugs.

“We are a group of researchers investigating Optotomous Botanical Supplement Doping, which is essentially a baptismal name for the indigenous herbs and roots widely consumed in our society. Athletes often believe avoiding known banned substances is enough to stay safe, without realizing that certain African herbs can also result in a positive doping test,” she explained.

“These herbs and roots are often synthesized into modern drugs, making them potentially dangerous when misused. That’s why we’re going around sensitizing athletes and the public. We appreciate the collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and hope the partnership continues so we can keep spreading awareness.

“Athletes are finding indigenous ways to enhance their performance without falling prey to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions.

“Some of our athletes were caught doping inadvertently because they didn’t know they were doping. They are taking this herbs for just normal recreation and relaxation.

“We can find out our own indigenous herbs and we can also address our athletes so that they can go to competitions with the objectives of winning laurels for us without bringing shame to Nigeria.

“We are indigenous to Universal if Ibadan and for now, we are researchers and in the Laboratory and what we have done is coming to the field to collect data. The Athletes are our samples and hopefully by the time we get our results, we will collaborate with Imo Government through sports because what we want is a clean sport.”