The MTN Foundation has lamented rising cases of drugs and substance abuse among Nigerian youths, urging collective efforts to stem the tide.
The Foundation, which through its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), held an advocacy walk in Enugu aimed at raising awareness and combating drug abuse, insisted that the future was bleak with the rate at which youths engaged in drugs.
MTN Foundation Manager in charge of youth development, Pamela Emordi, stated that the advocacy walk was one of the activities lined up to commemorate the 2025 World Drug Day and a broader campaign by the MTN Foundation to discourage first-time use and casual substance abuse nationwide.
She said the walk, which was in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Civil Defense, National Youth Service Corps members, students among other key stakeholders was also to call attention to the dangers inherent in drugs use.
She commended the large turnout of youth, parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the walk, saying it only reflected the foundation’s deep commitment to building a drug-free society. “At the MTN Foundation, we believe that through continued education, empowerment, and collaboration with key stakeholders, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our youth.
“This advocacy walk not only serves as a platform to raise awareness but also as a call to action for all members of the community to join hands in the fight against drug abuse,” she said.
Emordi noted that since the initiative was launched in 2019, it had been waxing strong and through consistent advocacy messages, “we have helped reach over 91 million people; we have reached 27,000 students, 450 teachers across 65 secondary schools in 12 states.
“In 2024 through the NDLEA’s 24/7 psychosocial help desk, we provided counseling services to about 4000 Nigerians. And this year, we plan to train over 86,000 students with about 1500 teachers across another 12 states. It’s going to be very impactful”.
The Enugu State commander of the NDLEA, Abel Suni Wadahi, who was represented by the Deputy State Commander in charge of Operations and Intelligence, John Ogah, said the essence of the walking sporting exercise was to encourage the people, especially the youths to engage in sports and avoid drug abuse. He said, “We incorporate youths, most especially, the vulnerable boys, to tell them to engage more in sports activities rather than drugs. That’s why we’re doing endurance trek today so that they will engage with it and avoid drug abuse”.
He decried the increasing situation of drug abuse in Enugu, and commended MTN Foundation for the partnership to embark on the sensitisation in Enugu.
The NDLEA boss said, “Drug abuse is in the increase in Enugu State. That’s why we now decided to delve into engaging in these campaigns against these drugs
“During our drugs integrity tests in the state, we discovered that over 400,000 youths are getting into drugs abuse in Enugu State”.
THE GUARDIAN
