The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in partnership with Castel Wings Global Services, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and A New Thing International Foundation, has successfully concluded a year-long Youth Against Substance Abuse (YASA) campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The initiative, aimed at empowering the youth to become substance abuse prevention ambassadors, saw over 180 young persons trained to combat the growing menace of drug abuse in their communities.
During the event, Kenneth Anetor, the NEDC-YASA Principal Project Coordinator, highlighted the urgency of addressing substance abuse, especially among young people in the North-East region of Nigeria. He emphasised the North-East Development Commission’s unwavering commitment to the holistic development and emancipation of the region, stating: “This project was born from the urgent need to tackle the growing menace of substance abuse, particularly among the youth in the North East. We are determined to make a lasting impact in this fight.”
One of the highlights of the program was a compelling presentation by Prof. Irfan Zaheer Khan, who delved into the critical topic of “Synthetic Drug Usage in Humanitarian Situations,” drawing attention to the growing challenge of synthetic drug abuse in crisis-affected areas.
Borno State Commander of NDLEA praised the initiative, calling it a commendable effort in tackling substance abuse among youths. He stressed the need for continued collaboration between the agency and other stakeholders, stating: “Much more is needed to address the multifaceted challenges of drug abuse in our region. We invite MDAs and other organizations to join in this critical fight.”
A major attraction of the event was the Quiz Competition, which saw seven secondary schools compete head-to-head. Brethren Hope Academy took first position, followed by Government Girls Secondary School in second place, and El-Kanemi College of Islamic Theology in third place. To celebrate their victory, Dr. Hon. Tukura Danladi Kwayi generously donated ₦100,000 to the winning school, insisting that the students deserved a special reward for their impressive performance.
The event concluded with remarks from Mr. Yusuf Nas, the Project Volunteer Coordinator, who congratulated the trained volunteers and urged them to spread the knowledge they gained within their communities. He emphasised the next steps, including the establishment of drug-free clubs across schools, marking the beginning of a new phase in the fight against substance abuse.
As the NEDC-YASA program was rounded up, the trained youth ambassadors were already making a significant impact in their communities, equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change and reduce substance abuse among their peers.
This marks just the beginning, as the fight against substance abuse continues with stronger resolve and a growing army of passionate youth committed to building a drug-free society.
The program’s grand closure event was held at the El-Kanemi Hall, University of Maiduguri, where notable dignitaries and stakeholders from across the region gathered to celebrate the impact of this significant project. Among the key attendees were Borno State Commander of NDLEA, Chief Imam and CAN President, Dr. Hon. Tukura Danladi Kwayi, FCCFI, Prof. Irfan Zaheer Khan, Commissioner of Youth, Borno State,
Brig. Gen. A. Wande, Sadeeq Madu Kura and Dr. James Jolaosa.
