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Across the globe, young Nigerians are blazing the trail in music, sport, art, tech, and putting Nigeria on the global map for good reasons. From Tems becoming the first African woman to win Best International Act at BET Awards on Monday, June 27, 2022, to Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido selling out concert venues in Europe and America, and Firbeoy, Rema, Ckay, Pheelz among others headlining some of the biggest shows in Europe where African singers used to be relegated to the backstage in the past, Nigeria continues to set the pace for other African countries.
In the midst of all the remarkable feats, a lot hangs in the balance for a greater Nigeria. With 48% of young Nigerians between the ages of 19 and 29, hooked on drug usage, the future of Nigeria’s anticipated better days looks bleak.
This is why individuals, organisations, and policymakers are taking deliberate actions to help Nigeria combat the rising cases of drugs and substances among young Nigerians.
MTN Foundation through its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) is driving advocacy and sensitisation geared towards mitigating substance abuse amongst the 10 to 25-year age demographic.
In commemoration of this year’s world drug day, its annual MTN ASAP campaign featured a lineup of activities, including; unplugged training for teachers across three major states, a quiz competition for secondary school students, a Twitter Space conversation on substance abuse, and an 8km advocacy walk from Old Parade Ground, Area 10 to Millennium Park, Abuja, on Saturday 25, June 2022.
Here are some of the important details you may have missed from the 2022 ASAP advocacy walk.
MTN Foundation partnered with NDLEA
To prevent first-time drug use among Nigerian youths and to tackle the menace of substance abuse, the MTN Foundation teamed up with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to organise this year’s advocacy walk.
In the course of this year’s anti-substance abuse programme, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said “in 2018, 14.3 million Nigerians, representing 14.4% of the country’s population used psychoactive substances aside from alcohol and there is an urgent need for massive sensitization of youths about the dangers of drug abuse.”
Young Nigerians took charge
This year, young people dominated the conversation and took the advocacy so personal because it’s everyone’s fight.
“Don’t get hooked”, and “The journey from one to addict is short” are some of the glaring messages young participants of the ASAP advocacy walk displayed as they trooped out in hundreds to campaign against substance abuse.
In celebration of the success of the awareness walk, both young and old participants grooved to some trending Nigerian music while showcasing their best dance steps at Millennium Park, Abuja.
Organised bodies joined the advocacy walk
Themed, ‘It’s Everyone’s Fight,’ this edition of the MTN ASAP campaign had other national agencies like, National Youth Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Army, and Nigerian Immigration Service in attendance during the advocacy walk.
Holding clear signs that showcased their commitment to wage war against drug abuse, they marched in solidarity from Old Parade Ground to Millenium Park. Students of Funtaj International School and Intelligence Quotient International School who secured top spots at the ASAP quiz competition were also present at the walk.
NDLEA made a clarion call to corporate establishments
Following MTN Foundation’s incorporation of ASAP as a part of their yearly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the completion of the advocacy walk, the Director-General/Agency Secretary, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Shadrach Haruna implored other establishments to follow suit and partner with the government in the fight against substance abuse.
He said, “The NDLEA is committed to the fight against drug abuse. We implore other corporate organisations to join the government in the fight against drugs, because it is a fight for everyone and not just the government.”
Aside from the MTN ASAP advocacy walk, the MTN Foundation organised a National conference on Monday, 27 June, 2022, to commemorate World Drug Day.
Source: TheNet
