The King Ogunremi Foundation (KOF) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently partnered to take the fight against drug abuse to Iqrah College in Lagos State. The campaign, themed "The Effects of Drug Abuse and How To Say No to Drug Abuse," aimed to educate students on the negative implications of drug abuse. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 14.4% of Nigeria's population aged 15 to 64 engage in drug abuse.
The anti-drug abuse awareness campaign was part of KOF and NDLEA's efforts to curb the scourge of illicit drug usage among Nigerian youths. A UNODC survey found that 1 in 5 teenagers aged 13-18 reported using substances in a given year. The campaign targeted students at Iqrah College, located in Ishashi, Lagos State, where several questions were asked and answered. The program aimed to educate youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow, on the dangers of drug usage and trafficking.
Mrs. Jacob Chidinma Linda, a senior member of KOF, emphasized the importance of youths understanding the implications of drug usage. She stressed that staying away from drug usage starts from an individual's strong rejection of using drugs, especially when faced with peer pressure. Linda advised students to be themselves and avoid drug abuse, which she said destroys dreams and aspirations.
Yusuf Alaba, Chief of Staff, also spoke at the event, warning students about the effects of illicit drug usage. He described drug abuse as a "death sentence" that slowly grinds an individual's life, robbing them of a great future. Alaba specifically mentioned that substances like Colos, Cannabis Sativa, Meths, Cocaine, and Heroin are destroyers of a generational future.
Commander Titilayo Ogunnyi of NDLEA took over the question and answer session, advising students to shun illicit drugs and its usage. She set up a Q&A session, responding to students' concerns and disturbing thoughts about drug usage. Ogunnyi emphasized the importance of choosing friends wisely to avoid falling into bad company that could lead to drug abuse.
The mother of the convener of the lecture, Mrs. Rehamat Oluwakemi Mogaji, expressed her inspiration behind the campaign. She said her daughter, Jauhanarh Oyinkansola, had a dream to educate youths about the dangers of drug abuse. Mogaji reached out to KOF and NDLEA to collaborate on the campaign, which aimed to disseminate information to young people about the pitfalls of drug abuse.
Oyinkansola, the Senior Prefect of Iqrah College, said she was motivated by the appalling things she saw in society caused by youths' dependency on illicit drugs. She thanked KOF, NDLEA, and her school for supporting the campaign. Oyinkansola emphasized that it is essential for young people to know the evils associated with drug abuse and to make their parents, school, and society proud by avoiding the vice.
Key points
- The campaign aimed to educate youths on the dangers of drug abuse and its negative implications.
- KOF and NDLEA partnered to take the anti-drug abuse campaign to Iqrah College in Lagos State.
- The campaign targeted students aged 13-18, who are considered vulnerable to drug abuse.
