By Folaranmi Ajayi
The Lagos State Youth Parliament has organised a debate competition among public and private schools in Lagos Mainland to create awareness about the danger of substance and drug abuse within the community.
The event which held at the Ojoniyun Youth Complex was convened by Agbaje Daniel, Member Lagos State Youth Parliament, Lagos Mainland Constituency to awaken the consciousness of the growing student population in the community to the danger of substance abuse on an individual basis and measure to combat the menace.
The theme of the awareness campaign: “Drug Abuse: A Personal Struggle or a Community Concern,” drew participants largely from community youths
Speaking on import of the sensitization initiative, the convener, Agbaje Daniel, Member Lagos State Youth Parliament, Lagos Mainland Constituency 1, said that the essence of the event Is to sensitize the public on drug abuse, especially students and young ones within the Lagos mainland community.
“It’s both a personal concern and as well community concern,” he added.
During the programme, the Executive Secretary Lagos Mainland local government area, Hon. Tijani Tajudeen, defined drug abuse and its effects. He dwelled more on how peer influence is a big part of drug abuse, especially for children from low-income backgrounds. He also cautioned the youths on the need to be aware that their background should never be the determinant of how they turn out in life. He rounded up by emphasizing the critical role of hard work in life.
In his own remark, a youth leader, Ambassador Teslim, spoke about the after-effects of drug abuse, while describing drug abuse as an atom which damages quickly. He also advised students to define their vision and mission early in life to avoid being distracted.
The main debate competition took place among students from Ayetoro Grammar School, Apex Intellectual Victory College, Seylek School, Setop Schools, Maryrose School opposing and supporting the motion on the topic: “Drug Abuse: Personal Concern or Community Concern?” And, at the end of a rigorous debate session among contestants, Nawairudeen Secondary School came first.
Olasupo Jubril, the majority leader of the Lagos State Youth Parliament balanced the topic by explaining that drug abuse is both a personal duty as well as a community duty.
The event was attended by the Executive Secretary Lagos Mainland local government area, Hon. Tijani Tajudeen, Ambassador Teslim, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos Highland Coordinator, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, Supervisor for Education Lagos Mainland, Mrs, Oke, HOS Social Mobilisation, LGEA, and other dignitaries.
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