Ayo Fatokun Foundation leads an anti-drug awareness campaign, Project 300 Voices, One Mission, held across major locations in Ibadan at the weekend. Working in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gift Health and Development Initiative and other partners, sensitised young people on the dangers of substance abuse.
The walk, themed, “No to Substance, Yes to Education,” aimed to discourage drug use among youths and to promote education as a pathway to a secure future.
Speaking during the exercise, representatives of the Foundation, urged young people to prioritise their studies.
“We encouraged young people to focus on their education, as it will help them build a great future,” organisers said.
At Sango Junction, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr Michael Ogunsina, warned participants about the long-term consequences of drug misuse.
“Young people must understand that substance abuse has a devastating impact. It may seem harmless at first, but it will eventually affect them negatively,” he said.
Similarly, at Bodija Market junction, community advocate and Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Student Matters, Mr Victor Olojede, emphasised the role of parents in prevention.
“Parents and young people must stay focused on their future. They should not allow substance use to derail their destiny,” he said.
An NDLEA official, Mr Jeff Achichi, addressed the crowd at Mokola Roundabout, speaking in both English and Hausa to reach a wider audience.
He highlighted the destructive impact of drugs on young people’s lives. “Substance use has ruined the futures of many youths. We must all work together to stop this trend.”
The volunteer community of Ayo Fatokun Foundation and students from Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology and Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery all participated in the walk.
The walk was supported by several partners, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Dominion Broadcasting, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Student Affairs, Gift Health and Development Initiative, 26s Investment Ltd, and Ayo Table Water, among others.
Organisers reaffirmed that the campaign would continue in different communities to further amplify the message of prevention and responsible choices among young people.