The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has called on young people to reject drug abuse, cultism, violence and other social vices, urging them instead to embrace education, entrepreneurship, innovation and community service as pathways to a successful future.
Dr. Oyebanji made the call on during a rally held in Ado-Ekiti to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
Represented by her Legal Officer, Barrister Shelly Attaniel, the governor’s wife said the growing menace of drug abuse poses a serious threat to the future of young people, stressing that they remain the most affected by addiction and its devastating consequences.
Speaking on the theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” she encouraged youths to resist peer pressure and avoid shortcuts capable of destroying their destinies.
She urged them to channel their energy into acquiring skills, pursuing quality education and developing innovative ideas that would contribute to the state’s growth.
“Ekiti needs your ideas in technology, agriculture, arts and governance. Do not wait to be invited to the table. Build your own table and bring others with you”. She said.
Dr. Oyebanji also appealed to parents, traditional rulers, schools, religious leaders, security agencies and the private sector to work together in protecting children from drug abuse by providing mentorship, internships and economic opportunities for young people.
Earlier, the Ekiti State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Sunday Aina, described drug abuse as a “hard-headed monster” fueling crime and other criminal activities among youths.
He noted that young people constitute the highest percentage of drug users and urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s activities to prevent exposure to narcotic substances.
According to Aina, the abuse of hard drugs such as cannabis, popularly known as Indian hemp, as well as substances like Loud and Colorado, poses grave health risks, including cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and premature death.
He called on civil society organisations, religious bodies and other stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against drug abuse across the state.
The NDLEA commander also warned that existing laws would be strictly enforced against cultivators, dealers and consumers of illicit drugs, urging traditional rulers to expose offenders operating within their communities.
The awareness campaign featured a road walk involving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), civil society organisations, faith-based groups and other stakeholders.
Participants marched from Bawa Estate through Iworoko Road to the NDLEA office before concluding the rally at Fajuyi Park in Ado-Ekiti.
The event underscored the collective resolve of the Ekiti State Government and relevant stakeholders to combat drug abuse through sustained public enlightenment, prevention and law enforcement initiatives.