Ayodele Olalere
Natives of Owu kingdom in Ogun State have partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and other institutions to tackle the menace of drug abuse among youths in the country.
The partnership was revealed by the organising committee for this year’s Odun Omo Olowu festival which started on Monday, October 23rd, and will run till Saturday, October 28th.
According to the committee, one of the major issues that societies worldwide are battling with is substance abuse.
“We are all aware of the serious societal and health problems that this has created. We recently created an advocacy group to combat this challenge, in collaboration with the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta; the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ogun State Command; and Positive Youths and Family Life Mission Centre, Abeokuta,” the committee stated.
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The committee further said discussions on the ways to stop drug abuse would be a focal point as officers from the NDLEA would deliver a lecture primarily targeting the youth on the ills and dangers of substance abuse.
“We are actively collaborating with the NDLEA and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to address the menace of substance abuse, cultism, and hooliganism in secondary schools across our neighbourhoods.”
The committee added that the festival is an opportunity for all sons and daughters from the Owu kingdom, both at home and abroad, to come together and promote the spirit of unity and pride in their heritage, as well as “strengthen relationships between Owu communities and our neighbours.”
Activities lined up during the festival include an interfaith religious service, free medical outreach, arts and crafts exhibitions, and conferment of traditional and honourary chieftaincy titles within the kingdom.
