As part of a community outreach initiative geared towards raising awareness and advocacy, security stakeholders have called for more proactive measures to keep the youths and teenagers off getting involved in the use of drugs and substance abuse.
Build Back Foundation, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), organized the one day sensitization programme specially designed for youths and teenagers on the streets around Iwo Road Round about, Ibadan North East Local Government area of Ibadan.
In his welcome address, Mr Ayodeji Elijah Kehinde, the founder and proprietor of the Foundation, who expressed optimism about the impact the outcome of the meeting would have on the out of school youths and teenagers on the streets present at the event lamented the decadence in societal value system.
He noted that there could be no better time to act than now, calling on government at all levels as well as relevant authorities to wake up to what was described as a keg of gunpowder. He warned that except something urgent was done to address the situation, the society would soon pay the prize of neglecting them due to what the streets would have turned them into.
Honorable Femi Josiah, former Special Assistant on Community Relation to Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke at the event held on September 6 (yesterday) lamented the alarming rate at which youths and teenagers of productive age are wasting away due to impact of involvement in drugs.
While commending Governor Seyi Makinde for his approach to addressing the root cause of the societal menace by initiating several educational and vocational initiatives targeted at engaging the vulnerable youths and teenagers in order to keep them off the streets, the Josiah noted that more work needed to be done.
The former member of the Oyo state House of Assembly eho acknowledged that government alone without adequate collaboration with critical stakeholders could not solve all the problems in the society, equally noted that stakeholders must be deliberate in their action plan since victims of drug and substance addictions grow older with the same mindset of feeling like the ‘rejected’ members of the society.
He equally admonished that a legislation be put in place for birth control to prevent population outbreak without proper planning which also include government taking over the parenting of vulnerable street youths at various government owned rehabilitation centres.
The event, which featured a series of informative talks, interactive workshops, and testimonials from individuals who have overcome addiction, also sought to help affected youth and teenagers overcome the temptation of returning back to the streets.
Femi Josiah, who has been actively involved in community service and social works since his time as a government official, emphasized the importance of early education and preventive measures in combating menace.
“Today’s youth are facing unprecedented challenges, and drug abuse is a critical issue that can derail their futures, it is imperative that we equip our young people with the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions at this critical stage of their lives.
Notable speakers at the event include the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oyo state, ACP Bamigboye Martins, Chief Imam of Ibadanland Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere represented by Alhaji Mogaji Razaaq Salam, Mr Alao, Commisioner for Education represented by Mr Alao, a Director in the ministry.
Others are representative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), traditional and community leaders, among others.
Earlier in his remark, second term executive chairman of Egbeda Local Government and Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo state chapter, Honorable Sikiru Sanda, highlighted deliberate efforts of Council chairmen in the state at the grassroots.
He assured that the well-being of the people will continue to dominate the center of all government policies and programs at the local government level in line with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde to capture the youths and teenagers at their prime for productive engagements that would make them useful to themselves and the society.
While acknowledging the immense responsibility on the society to ensure such youths and teenagers are productively engaged to dissuade them from getting involved in drugs, other stakeholders agreed in their separate submissions that security agencies have critical roles to play in terms of sensitization and building of public confidence.
Representatives from these organizations provided insights into the legal, psychological, and physical consequences of using drugs, and substance abuse, as well as the efforts being made to curb the menace in the area.
They stressed the importance of creating supportive environments in schools and communities to help young people avoid falling into the traps of addiction.
Attendees were encouraged to take proactive steps in their communities, including organizing similar awareness campaigns and supporting local rehabilitation efforts.