He became a drug addict at
nine and at 16, a cult leader. Now 19, Karo Ovwonuri, is already a
father. Narrating his experience as a street kid and drug addict, Ovwonuri advised parents not to choose their jobs over their children
Nobody, including his parents and
teachers could ever in their wildest imagination believe that
nine-year-old Karo Ovwonuri, was doing drug. He was in Primary four at
Marere Primary School, Ughelli, Delta State, then. But, little Ovwonuri
was not just into hard drugs, he was also a member of a robbery gang.
This is in spite of the fact that the
indigene of Ughelli and the last child in a family of nine, grew up in a
Christian home. His father, a business man, also held a high position
in their church. To his parents, having a son who would become a drug
addict seemed farfetched.
But narrating his story to
our
correspondent at a rehabilitation centre, Christ Against Drug Abuse
Ministry, in Lagos on Tuesday, Ovwonuri, said his 10 years of drug
addiction started when he was in primary school.
He said, “I grew up in Ugheli, Delta
State. I attended Marere Primary School. It was during my primary school
days I started smoking and doing all sorts.
“I wasn’t a bad boy; but when I started
moving with wrong friends, my way of life changed. The desire to cause
havoc became so strong in me. I started doing drugs, stealing and
sleeping around at such a young age.”
Ovwonuri said his addiction started the
day he smoked plantain leaves. From smoking plantain leaves, he
graduated to Indian hemp and then stealing.
“My friends and I would get plantain
leaves, wrap them and smoke till we get so high. If that didn’t satisfy
our urge, we would smoke marijuana and other drugs but we never did
cocaine.
“My addiction to these substances
became so strong, but my parents did not know. My mum was a very busy
woman; she was always travelling to buy goods. My dad was the one at
home more often but his job also sometimes kept him busy. I made sure
that they never caught me doing drugs. If I had the urge; I would either
go to the bush or do it in a club,” he said.
As if getting hooked on drugs wasn’t enough, Ovwonuri said he started stealing money to satisfy his urge for drugs.
“When you’re hooked on drugs, you need
to always have money. Anytime I did not have money on me; I would become
so restless. I just had to get money by all means even if it mean
breaking into people’s houses. And when I get money, I lavish it on
drugs,” he said.
After his primary school education, he
said he managed to gain admission into Ereni Grammar School, Ughelli.
But he could only spend over a session in the secondary school as he
dropped out in J.S.S.2.
“I just could not keep up with my
education. My life had gone wild. I then approached my parents that I
wanted to learn a vocation. They got me my first job but I left the job
after looting some of their materials. My next job was in a spare parts
shop.”
Ovwonuri said that the pressure to keep
his consumption of drugs and his girlfriends glued to his side spurred
him to steal a large sum of money.
“I had become so used to having money
and I had so many friends. It was during this period that a friend who I
call a brother approached me to join their cult group. Within a short
time, I was made second in command. So, I had boys who obeyed me.
“Anytime we went out as a group, we
ensured that we caused havoc. On several occasions, I watched two of my
close friends die. But these did not make me to change my way of life.
Some of them died while riding their okada heavily drunk, while others
died from wounds. But I continued my riotous living,” he said.
Ovwonuri said that one morning he woke
up tired with little money in his pocket and then decided to steal a
large sum of money from his employer.
“I succeeded in stealing N2m after
which I absconded to Port Harcourt for some days. When I returned back
to Delta; I shared the money among my friends and rented an apartment
for the mother of my child. One night, I went to a club and was arrested
by a vigilance group. I was beaten but not killed because the group
knew me and my brother was their leader. They tied my hands with a rope
for two days. Even when the rope was released, my hands became useless,”
he added.
Ovwonuri was again arrested and taken
back to his boss who insisted on getting his money back. His parents and
family members managed to pay back the money but this incident could
not dissuade the lad from continuing with his ways.
After he was released, Ovwonuri said he still did drugs and drinking.
“One day, I was so drunk but managed to
get a taxi to my house. On alighting from the vehicle, my shirt got
stuck to the door but the driver did not know and drove off. He dragged
me along on the ground. I was seriously injured.
“Passersby wanted to take me to the
hospital but I objected because I did not want my parents to find out. I
went to a chemist, treated my injuries and went to a friend’s house,”
he said.
Despite the accident that almost claimed his life, he said the urge to continue with his wild life was very strong.
“I just did not care. The accident meant
nothing to me. But one day, my aunty called and told my dad about a
rehabilitation centre in Lagos called Christ Against Drug Abuse
Ministry. When I heard about the rehabilitation, I just broke down in
tears,” he said.
But in spite of his tears, Ovwonuri was
brought to the one of the many centres for rehabilitation were youths
like him are being rehabilitated.
His experience in the centre, he said, had been worth the while.
“I have had a flash back of all the
things I did and the pains I’ve caused my family. That was a very
painful moment for me. But I thank God for changing my life” he said.
“I’ve spent about a year in this
rehabilitation centre and I’m so happy. I could have died, but God
spared my life for a reason,” he said.
Karo said he plans to return to Delta State to complete his secondary education.
“I now have a story to tell. I’ve been
down there and have come back up again by the grace of God. My advice to
teenagers is that they should remain focused and get close to God.
There is nothing in this world. Alcohol, drugs girls can’t make you
happy.
“And to parents, I want to beg them to
spend time with their children. No job should occupy your time. If you
don’t spend time with your children, they will look for something to
occupy them. Parents should also discuss their past with their
children. If you notice any of your children who prefers being alone or
doesn’t like to spend time with the members of the family, please be on
the alert. When a child prefers isolating himself, something may be
wrong. Also read the Bible to your children constantly. The word of God
is very important in building the right foundation for your children,”
he said.
Speaking on his client, the National Coordinator of CADAM, Mr. Dokun Ayodeji, said that Ovwonuri is now a changed person.
“I still remember when his family
brought in him. He was not in a good condition, but now, he looks
refreshed. I just thank God for his life. He has been through tough
times and I know God plans for him would still be fulfilled,” he said.
Also, child psychologists and
educationists warned parents against abdicating their responsibilities
to schools and househelps.
“Yes, we need money to take of our
children, but we should put a limit to our search for it. Otherwise, we
may end up losing our children,” a lecturer at the Faculty of
education, University of Ibadan, Dr. Kehinde Kester, said.
-Punch
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