The Global President of Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation Inc., Alhaji Aare Asiwaju Dapo Wahab, has warned youths against engaging in drug abuse and immoral lifestyles, saying such acts pose serious threats to their future and the development of society.
Wahab gave the warning on Saturday while delivering a lecture at the 2026 Children’s Day/Youth Development Seminar organised by the ALAYO Zone, Mawuko Area Community Development Council in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking on the theme, “Combating Drug and Sexual Abuse Among Youths: Causes, Consequences and Strategies,” the foundation president described youths as the strength of every nation, stressing that society would suffer if young people were destroyed by drugs and sexual abuse.
He said, “Children are gifts from God. Youths are the strength of every nation. When the youths are destroyed by drugs and immoral lifestyles, the future of that society is automatically under attack.”
Wahab identified peer pressure, broken homes, poverty, unemployment, social media influence and lack of moral values as major causes of drug and sexual abuse among youths.
According to him, many young people are lured into smoking, drug addiction and immoral relationships because of pressure from friends and exposure to harmful online contents.
He said, “Not everybody moving with you is moving you forward.”
The speaker also lamented the growing rate of substance abuse among youths, warning that drugs do not provide solutions to problems.
“Drugs do not solve problems; they multiply problems,” he said.
Wahab further stated that drug abuse had contributed to rising cases of crime, cultism, violence and academic failure among young people.
He said, “Many criminal activities are linked to drugs. Several youths involved in cultism, robbery and internet fraud committed such crimes under the influence of drugs.”
On sexual abuse, the community leader said victims often suffer emotional trauma, depression and loss of self-worth, adding that many children remain silent out of fear and shame.
He warned that early sexual involvement and exploitation could lead to unwanted pregnancies, school dropout and sexually transmitted diseases.
“A bright future requires clean habits,” Wahab told the youths.
The foundation president urged parents to pay closer attention to their children by monitoring their friendships, internet activities and emotional wellbeing.
“Children need your presence more than your presents,” he said.
He also called on governments, religious bodies and community leaders to intensify youth empowerment programmes, moral education, counselling and rehabilitation efforts to curb the menace.
Wahab added, “The fight against drug and sexual abuse is a collective responsibility. If we fail to train our children today, society may suffer tomorrow.”
