Martha Paul, a 60-year-old resident of the Tudun Wada community in Jos North LGA of Plateau, has decried the rising intake of dry gin, popularly known as ‘goskolo’.
Ms Paul disclosed on Tuesday in Jos that ‘goskolo’ had claimed the life of her only son.“I lost my son to goskolo. He was hooked on it, and it killed him,” she said.
‘Goskolo’, also known as ‘ogogoro, dry gin or ‘kai kai’, is far stronger than the average alcohol.
Ms Paul said her 25-year-old son, who died in 2022, was a 300-level student at the University of Jos. She explained that he developed complications that later affected his internal organs due to high consumption of the illicit drink.”
As we speak, my heart is heavy because last year I lost my son and only child due to high consumption of ‘goskolo” and other illicit substances. My son died after he developed health challenges due to the illicit substances he consumed over time,” the distraught woman explained.
She added, “I will never wish any mother to experience my pains, and this is why parents must play a serious role in the upbringing of their wards.”
Ms Paul called on the government to ban the production and consumption of ‘goskolo’ in Plateau.