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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Lagos First Lady leads anti-drug campaign at Caleb University

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, led an anti-drug campaign at Caleb University, urging youth to choose discipline and purpose.
  • The campaign, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse, included a campus walk and the inauguration of a student-led anti-drug club.
  • Officials emphasized that drug abuse is a growing threat requiring coordinated action from families, institutions, and government, with a focus on empathy for victims.

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, spearheaded an anti-drug awareness campaign at Caleb University, Imota, emphasizing prevention and sustained youth education against substance abuse. The event, observed for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, featured a campus walk, advocacy sessions, and the establishment of a student-led anti-drug club.

Drug abuse is destroying health, productivity and life chances of young people.

— Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-OluHighlighting the impact of substance abuse on young individuals.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted drug abuse as a significant public health and social threat, urging students to make choices that safeguard their future. She stressed that addiction affects all societal segments and requires empathy, stating, "Addiction cuts across age, gender and background. Victims need support, not condemnation."

Her office has intensified partnerships with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), non-governmental organizations, and faith groups to bolster awareness campaigns across Lagos. Previous engagements at Lagos State University and the University of Lagos in 2025 reached thousands of students.

choose life, choose discipline, choose purpose.

— Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-OluUrging students to make positive life choices.

Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, and Caleb University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, echoed the need for a collective approach involving families, schools, and government. They stressed that institutions must shape character alongside knowledge, fostering a drug-free environment and supporting student welfare.

Addiction cuts across age, gender and background. Victims need support, not condemnation.

— Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-OluAdvocating for empathy and support for those struggling with addiction.

NDLEA officials and an addiction recovery advocate also participated, warning about peer pressure and unemployment as drivers of drug abuse and sharing personal experiences to underscore the long-term consequences. The campaign aims to build a network of young ambassadors for a drug-free society.

We must work together, parents, schools, faith leaders and government, to raise responsible and focused young people.

— Mrs. Oluremi HamzatEmphasizing the need for a coordinated effort in drug prevention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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