Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and wife of the deputy governor, Oluremi Hamzat on Thursday charged youths to be ambassadors of the fight against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking.
She
spoke at a Walk to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking with the theme ‘The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues,
New Challenges, Innovative Responses,’ held at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu
was joined in the Walk by staff and students of the university, Commissioner
for Tertiary Education,Tolani-Sule Akibu, Chairman, House Committee on Youth
and Social Development, Abiodun Orekoya, Permanent Secretaries, officers of the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and others.
She
said the theme of this year’s fight against drug abuse reflects both
long-standing and emerging drug abuse patterns that require collaborative and
evidence-based action.
The
First Lady described drug abuse as a threat to youths and society as it damages
their mental and physical health, academic performance, productivity,
relationships, and wellbeing.
“Addiction
cuts across age, gender, and social status, yet victims are often stigmatized
instead of supported. We must embrace compassion, encourage rehabilitation, and
create opportunities for recovery,” she noted.
She
expressed the commitment of her office to fighting drug abuse in partnership
with NDLEA, ministries of education, health, justice, youth and social
development, NGOs, community leaders, market associations, and local government
areas.
She
further noted that her office has carried out initiatives and sensitization
programmes one of which is the Lagos Boy Child Initiative. She added that Caleb
University was the third university after Lagos State University, LASU, and
University of Lagos, UNILAG; to benefit from her office ‘s advocacy campaign
against drug abuse.
“To
students, your choices today shape your tomorrow. Drug abuse may bring
temporary excitement but destroys dreams, health, education, and career. I urge
you to become campaign ambassadors, discourage substance abuse and support
those struggling,” she said.
In her
remarks, the wife of the deputy governor, Oluremi Hamzat warned the students
against drug abuse, warning that it could destroy their dreams and deprive them
of opportunities to succeed in life.
She encouraged them to ’embrace positive values’
“Let
us break the cycle of drug abuse and build a safer society for all,” she said.
The
Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia lamented that despite
decades of awareness campaigns and policy interventions, the menace of
substance abuse continues to evolve.
He
said the university is resolved to foster a drug-free environment, promote
mental wellness, and equip its students with the resilience and knowledge to
reject the temptations of illicit substances.
Ogunluyi
Titilope, the Deputy Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Lagos Command,
urged the students to join the government in creating awareness, report drug
dealers and peddlers and serve as positive role models
Executive
Director, Compassionate Care Recovery, Dr Dokun Adedeji in his lecture noted
that between 14 to 15million Nigerians use drugs with age brackets ranging from
25 to 39years old and Lagos recording the highest rate with 33%.
He
attributed difficulties in recovering from drug abuse to stigma and
discrimination, lack of emotional and psychological support among others.
He
advocated living a meaningful life, family and community support as part of
measures that could help a drug addict to recover.
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