Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
Youths in Ikorodu have responded to the recent discovery of massive drugs in Ikorodu which the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described as the largest drug burst in its history, by trooping out for a walk against drugs in the city which is now the 11th largest in Nigeria.
The walk for fitness tagged, ‘Say No To Drugs’, was organized by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) to sensitise residents, especially youths, on drug abuse and to also kick – off the 31st edition of the annual Ikorodu – Oga Day Carnival.
Hundreds of Ikorodu that participated in the walk, took off from the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, and walked through Olubi Street, Ojogbe, Oriwu Road, Ireshe Road, Sheriff, Ota – Ona, Alhaji Street, Ojubode, Ikorodu Garage Roundabout, Ayangbure Road and finally berth at the Ayangbure palace where the royal father, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, joined in the last lap of the walk.
Among the groups that participated in the walk were: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ikorodu branch, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Council of Baales in Ikorodu, political groups and social clubs among others.
In his royal remarks, Oba Shotobi lauded the sustenance of the initiative by the IKODASS and commended Ikorodu youths for trooping out to stay fit and campaign against drugs.
“It’s a wonderful initiative. They started this some years back and they are sustaining it. This is to show that Ikorodu is ready to say no to drugs and cultism”, the royal father said.
“The exercise is also usually packaged as part of programmes to usher in the annual Ikorodu – Oga Celebrations”.
Oba Shotobi, who emphasized that both indigenes and residents have joined the fight against drugs in Ikorodu, strongly warned against visitors perpetrating drugs to desist from it.
He said that Ikorodu as a community is ready to partner with the government and law enforcement agencies to tackle drugs and cultism.
Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, IKODASS , also said that staying fit helps people fight depression and other challenges.
“When you are fit, you will be able to weather depression and every other challenge that comes to you and Ikorodu is noted for fighting against drugs that is why you see all the inscriptions stating that Ikorodu is saying no to drugs”, the IKODASS Chairman said.
“Recently, they were talking about drugs and Ikorodu, we want the whole world to know that it’s not true. It may be a passage way, but not that we do drugs in Ikorodu and you can see the young people coming out for this (walk) to show that our people are not drug addicts, but people are ready for war against drugs and develop their community”, he added.
Alhaji Balogun, Baale Agbede Omolaye, who also spoke with our reporter, said that members of the Council of Baales, joined the walk to show their support for the fitness exercise and campaign against drugs.
While charging youths to stay off drugs and behave in tandem with norms, the community leader also said that Baales in Ikorodu Kingdom are glad that another Oga Day Celebrations is here again.
Mrs Hassan Kafilat Omolade, Chairman of ICAN, Ikorodu and District Society, commended IKODASS for the initiative while stating that health is wealth.
“I have to commend IKODASS for this initiative, because health is wealth and when you exercise your body, you will become healthy and where you are healthy, you will have a sound mind”, she said.
“It is equally important to tell our younger ones that drugs are not good for their health, so, I also join them on behalf of my people to say no to drugs. When you take drugs, this is actually spoiling life for you and it is always difficult for somebody that is a drug addict to give back to the community.
“We have to encourage people, especially the younger ones, to stay off drugs”, she added.
The State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Lekan Billiamin Oba, said that it is important as a youth leader to take responsibility and assist in building a good society.
“So, what we are doing here is very significant. It is very important because when you look at our society today, more of the challenges we have is drug abuse among our generation and this is something that is kind of giving all of us a kind of sleepless night”, he said.
“It bothers all of us because when you look at the society today, we have a lot of young people that are actually distracted because of drugs in our society. So what Ikorodu – Oga Development Association is doing today is actually important because they are paying more attention to this menace and they are ready to go out there to find a lasting solution to it.
‘So, for me coming here today is always actually crucial too, because we need to lend our voice to the campaign that IKODASS is embarking upon which is say ‘NO TO DRUGS’ and we actually appealing to the younger generation to please keep their life safely because drug abuse is going to destroy them and it will not have any value to them”, he pleaded.
Alhaji Tunde Sulukhadeen, President, Zenith Peers Club, Ikorodu, also commended the campaign to sensitise the youths against drugs.
“It’s a very good idea which has been going on for a long time and we have been participating in it. It is a good thing and today’s outing is a huge success. We thank God for it”, he said.
“Actually, the idea is to tell our youths not to go into drugs because we gain nothing from taking drugs. No matter how high you are now, you will still come down later. it’s a good message passing across the length and breadth of Ikorodu Local Government to move our youths away from taking drugs”
The Youth Representative on the IKODASS Executive Council and Chairman, Planning Committee for the walk, Mr Odufeko Tolulope said that the idea is to encourage fitness among residents of Ikorodu and charge them to stay off drugs for them to be better citizens.
