In a united front against the growing menace of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other key stakeholders have renewed their commitment to grassroots sensitization and community outreach.
The effort was part of a drug prevention seminar held on Monday, at the palace of the Olowu of Owu, His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, in Oke-Ago Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Organised by Solace Foundation, in collaboration with the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation, the seminar themed “Craving a Healthy and Drug-Free Society” brought together students, parents, educators, medical professionals, traditional rulers, civil society actors, and government representatives to deliberate on the urgent need to tackle drug abuse among young people.
Delivering the keynote address, the Global President of the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation, Alhaji Aare Asiwaju Dapo Wahab, made a passionate call to action, especially directed at the younger generation and their guardians.
“Some of these children have ended up killing their parents under the influence of drugs. The home is where the work must begin.”
“We cannot continue to look away. Drug abuse is destroying dreams, families, and the future of our nation.”
“I urge every student here today to say NO to drugs and YES to life. It is your future at stake,” he said. 
In her address, Founder and Executive Director of Solace Foundation, Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola, emphasised the foundation’s mission and the urgency of multi-level intervention.
“This campaign is not just about awareness. It’s about empowerment, intervention, and education.”
“We must strengthen families with the right knowledge and support systems to detect and confront the early signs of drug use.”
“At Solace Foundation, we are committed to building a generation that is strong, focused, and free from the clutches of addiction,” she stressed.
Representatives from the NDLEA however reaffirmed the agency’s support for community outreach and reiterated that drug demand reduction is a critical component of national security. Officials from the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, and Lotus Bank also added professional perspectives on the psychological, social, and financial consequences of drug use.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment linked drug abuse to wider environmental and societal instability, while educators and health professionals present stressed the need for consistent school-based interventions.
Students engaged actively in breakout sessions, storytelling segments, and question-and-answer forums. Counselors and facilitators highlighted self-control, peer resistance, and goal-setting as essential tools in preventing substance abuse.
Stakeholders jointly resolved to promote the formation of drug-free clubs in schools, expand access to counseling, and intensify sensitisation campaigns at the grassroots level.
The Olowu of Owu, Oba Matemilola, commended the initiative and stressed that traditional institutions have a vital role to play in shaping societal values and protecting young lives from the threat of drugs.
The event closed with a student-led song on drug abstinence, vote of thanks, and a group photograph involving dignitaries and participants.
