NGO inaugurates campaign against substance abuse among Kogi youth
An NGO, Stella Heart Foundation (SHF), has inaugurated a campaign to protect and restore Kogi youths from substance abuse through a public awareness initiative themed “Rise Up, Stay Free.”
The event, held on Sunday in Lokoja, also coincided with the 60th birthday celebration of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Gbenga Ibileye.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of SHF, Mrs Monisola Ibileye, said the foundation was inspired by her husband’s concern for humanity and commitment to improving lives.
“It is with immense gratitude that I stand before you to celebrate the 60th birthday of my beloved husband and anchor. Sixty years is a testament to God’s faithfulness and grace.
“As a husband, father and leader, he has been supportive, a guide, mentor and source of strength.
“That concern for humanity inspired Stella Heart Foundation,” she said.
According to her, the foundation envisions a Kogi State and a Nigeria where young people are free from substance abuse, healthy, empowered and equipped to pursue purposeful lives.
She said the organisation’s mission was to protect young people through evidence-based prevention programmes, community mobilisation, rehabilitation pathways and economic empowerment initiatives.
According to her, the foundation seeks to place vulnerable youths at the centre of its interventions while building institutional capacity to make Kogi a model for substance abuse response.
She urged young people to choose healthy lifestyles and avoid substance abuse, encouraging them to embrace the campaign’s message of “Rise Up, Stay Free.”
Mrs Ibileye also prayed for more years of good health, wisdom and peace for Prof. Ibileye as he marked his 60th birthday.
Also speaking, Mrs Abimbola Agbogun, Executive Director of Challenge Parenthood Initiative (CPI), described the establishment of the foundation as timely in view of rising drug abuse cases.
Agbogun assured the foundation of CPI’s support and advised youths to remain focused on their education and avoid social vices.
The Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, represented by Mr Oluseyi Eleta, Senior Special Assistant on Fraud and Internet Matters, congratulated Ibileye on his milestone.
Ayoade described young people as society’s greatest asset and pledged government support for initiatives aimed at improving youth wellbeing and development across the state.
She also encouraged the foundation to broaden its advocacy efforts to address internet fraud and other emerging challenges affecting young people.
In a presentation titled “Substance Abuse and Its Effects,” Dr Adekunle Adeshina warned that one in five teenagers had experimented with illicit drugs by age 15.
Adeshina said overdose remained the third leading cause of death among teenagers, while peer pressure and socio-economic factors were among the major drivers of substance abuse.
He added that children of substance users were 10 times more likely to engage in drug use than those from non-using households.
According to him, substance abuse can permanently alter brain development during adolescence and lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, memory loss and mental health disorders.
He identified strong family support, religious values, campus counselling services and peer mentorship as key protective factors against substance abuse.
“Your future is worth it. Your brain is your greatest asset, protect it. One decision can change your entire life,” he told the students.
He urged young people struggling with substance-related challenges to seek help from parents, teachers, counsellors and other trusted adults.
In his remarks, Prof. Ibileye thanked participants and emphasised the need for youths to make conscious decisions to reject substance abuse and embrace positive values.
The vice-chancellor urged young people to remain focused, disciplined, diligent and committed to their goals, adding that he was determined to take the university to greater heights.