The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sapele Local Government Area Chapter has staged a major campaign against drug abuse as part of activities to mark the 2025 International Youth Week. The event, tagged “Say No to Drugs”, held at the Sapele Council Hall, attracted a wide array of government officials, security agencies, religious leaders, educationists, and youth groups, all united in the resolve to tackle the menace of drug use among young people.
Declaring the event open, the Executive Chairman of Sapele Local Government, Hon. Bright Abeke, hailed the NYCN for spearheading the campaign and described it as “a fight to save the soul of the nation.”
He noted that every young person has a bright future, but drugs often truncate those dreams by destroying health, academics, relationships, and career opportunities.
“Drugs stand in the way of our youths’ progress,” Abeke said. “They rob them of focus, discipline, and hope. The right path is to remain committed, build positive friendships, seek help when needed, and trust God’s direction. My administration will continue to support programmes that strengthen our youths because when you build the youth, you build the nation.”
He pledged sustained collaboration with youth organisations and security agencies to expand sensitisation campaigns and empowerment opportunities across the local government. Abeke, who was later honoured with an Award of Excellence as the most youth-friendly council chairman in Delta State, urged parents, churches, and community leaders to join hands in raising a generation free from drugs.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the NYCN Sapele Chapter, Comrade Kingsley Abebe, said the youth body launched the sensitisation drive after carefully identifying drug abuse, unemployment, and youth restiveness as key challenges facing the younger generation. According to him, drugs have wrecked many promising lives, broken families, and contributed to rising insecurity.
“Drug abuse is stealing our brightest futures and weakening our communities,” Abebe said. “We cannot sit idly by while our generation is robbed of its destiny. The time to rise is now. I call on schools to integrate drug education into their curriculum, churches to preach consistently against it, and parents to guide their children with vigilance and love. To my fellow youths, let us be our brother’s keeper and reject the lure of drugs.”
Other dignitaries who addressed the gathering included Pastor David Inoaghan, Executive Secretary of the Local Education Authority, who warned that drug abuse is not only a social vice but also a destiny killer that has cut short many lives. He charged churches, schools, and families to place emphasis on values-based education and mentorship to safeguard the future of young people.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Commander Charles Erih on behalf of Commander Umar, stressed its commitment to rid Sapele and Delta State of drugs, warning that there would be no hiding place for traffickers and dealers. He called on young people to partner with the agency by rejecting drugs and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
Also lending support, Rear Admiral S.J. Oyegade, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology, Sapele, represented by Commander J.C. Anene, underscored the connection between drugs and insecurity. He said discipline remains the foundation of national development, warning that no youth under the influence of drugs can contribute meaningfully to society.
In recognition of their participation, four schools in Sapele Local Government, Local Government Group of Schools, Okotie Eboh Grammar School, International High School, and Okpe Grammar School—were each presented with a Certificate of Credence for their commitment to the anti-drug campaign.
The event was well attended by security chiefs from the Nigerian Army, Police, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, as well as community leaders and labour representatives.
Comrade Mrs. Mercy Igeye, Chairman of NULGE Sapele, was decorated as Matron of NYCN Sapele in recognition of her contribution to youth development.
