Jare OLUKOTUN
Ikorodu division of Lagos State joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 2019 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a firm message to students and youths that they must do away with drugs to prevent there negative effects on them.
This was the position of the speakers at the symposium organized to commemorate the international day and the theme of the symposium was, “A Life Without Drug Addiction”.
The event was held at Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu, on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
Over 300 students attended the programme which was organized by the Never Say Never Foundation (NSNF), a non-profit making organization based in Ikorodu .
Speaking online with the founder of NSNF, Princess Aderoju Ladega who is presently in the United States of America (USA), she stated that the foundation is organizing the symposium to discourage the usage of drugs by youths in Ikorodu.
“Drug abuse and addiction are among the menaces eating up our society, hence the need to show our youths the negative effects which their engagement in drug abuse and addiction could have on their individual selves and the society at large.
“To do this, we are bringing individuals from different professions to orientate and share their wealth of knowledge with participants”.
Speakers at the event were Pharm. Kikelomo Sowemimo, Comrade Ohi Obadan and Mr. Olumide Jasanya.
During the course of their respective presentations, the speakers told the students that drugs abuse has many negative effects on those engaging in it.
Parts of the effects of drug abuse, as stated by the speakers, are contacting of diseases, keeping bad/disruptive group or company, physical depreciation, failed dreams and engagement in crimes due to the influence of drugs among many others.
They also advised anyone of the participants engaging in drug abuse to call for help.
The students at the event staged a short drama and recited poems to admonish against drug abuse and addiction.
They also promised to live a life without abuse of drugs and also to be good ambassadors of Ikorodu division, Lagos state and Nigeria at large.
Other guests at the event were Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, the Majority Leader, Ikorodu Local Government Legislative Arm, Mrs Akaeze; Director, LSG Guiding and Counselling Section, Education District II, Queen Uche Jombo; Miss Culture, LSMBG (representing Ikorodu), Mr Oke Godwin (OGO), Mayor Deen Sanwoola, Mrs Bimpe Ogbe, Alh. Taiwo Odumbo and representatives of the Ikorodu Ambassadors Group.
Also at the event were Counsellors from various schools across Ikorodu division.
