The MTN Foundation and Kwara State Government have rallied the support of stakeholders in security, education, health, and social development to reduce substance abuse among first time users in Kwara State.
The call was made on Tuesday in Ilorin, the state capital, at the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme/Stakeholders’ Conference.
The conference had as its theme: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State said that the fight against drug abuse could not be won by the government alone, but through the collaboration of everyone.
AndulRazaq said: “Together let us expand awareness campaigns, promote healthy lifestyles, and build residents in communities capable of preventing drug abuse before it starts.
“The fight against drug abuse cannot be won by the government alone.
“Parents must remain vigilant.
“Educational institutions must continue to provide guidance and support.
“Community leaders must champion awareness and prevention.
“Young people themselves must embrace positive choices and become ambassadors of a drug free society.”
Represented by his Special Adviser on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Mikail Alieru, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fight against drug abuse and illicit use.
The Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, said that the country was witnessing a disturbing rise in the availability and use of new psychoactive substances.
The chairman said that many of these psychoactive substances were finding their way into the hands of young people.
Represented by Valentina Obayemi, Senior Lead, Sales and Trade Development, Ilorin, Belo-Olusoga said the country could not afford to simply react to this challenge.
She said that stakeholders need to act early and intentionally, adding that prevention remains one of the most effective tools.
She added: “Prevention is not just an investment in public health.
“It is an investment in every dream, every talent, and every possibility that lives within a young Nigerian.
“The future of Nigeria will not be determined by the substances that reach our young people.
“It will be determined by the actions we take today to protect them.”
MTN Manager, Youth Development, Joseph Akpata, said the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) was one of the foundation’s programmes aimed at contributing to the reduction of substance abuse among first time users.
According to Akpata, it is believed that this can be achieved through advocacy, education, and empowerment programmes being engaged in by MTN Foundation.
He said that since the inception of the foundation in 2004, it has invested over N32 billion in impactful projects across the country, one of which is the ASAP.
He said the foundation had earlier trained and was working towards an Action Plan of engaging corps members in the Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Care Training (DPTCT) in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said that through collaboration, substance awareness, community engagement, and innovative responses, the prevalence of substance abuse could be reduced to grow safer and healthier communities for all.
She said parents, schools, religious institutions, community leaders, development partners, and the private sector all have important roles to play in prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery.
The Kwara State Commandant of the NDLEA, Fatimah Popoola, urged parents to prioritise catering and monitoring of their children as charity begins at home.
The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, affirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies and initiatives to protect the youth and promote our communities.
Represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youths and Sports, Rukayat Shittu, the speaker urged all stakeholders to sustain collaboration in the fight.
The state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, said it takes everybody to contribute to stop drug abuse in the society.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Al-Imam, said that innovative responses must continue to be developed to challenge drug abuse because the scourge had eaten deep into the society.
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