A vibrant coalition of youth advocates and government stakeholders converged in Abuja recently to tackle the rising wave of substance abuse among teenagers through an innovative academic tournament. The Youth Against Disaster Initiative (YADI), collaborating with Abdulhameed Yushau, a dedicated National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, hosted the grand finale of the Drug-Free Schools Initiative. The campaign targets secondary school students, equipping them with the knowledge to reject illicit substances while fostering healthier, safer learning environments.
According to on-the-scene reporting by Zoyols News, the event successfully merged rigorous academic rivalry with vital social advocacy. It drew a diverse audience of educators, community leaders, and representatives from key institutions, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The intellectual matchups stood out as the highlight of the gathering, providing students with a platform to demonstrate their understanding of the anti-drug message. In a highly competitive essay category that attracted 84 submissions, Ozor Kamsy from Federal Government Boys College, Wuye, clinched the top prize. Arafat Ismail representing Parliament International School took the second spot, followed closely by Nafisat Abbas of Badr Integrated School in third place.
The quiz category delivered equal excitement and sharp intellectual displays. Jamal Oyawoye of Badr Integrated School emerged as the champion, while Nicodemus Gideon from Government Secondary School, Apo, and Salma Musa of Parliament International School claimed the second and third positions respectively.
Speaking on the motivation behind the partnership, YADI Programme Coordinator Umar Faruk Bala emphasized that protecting the younger generation from drug abuse requires persistent and engaging strategies. He stated that the goal goes beyond giving stern warnings; it is about helping students realize that their potential is far too precious to be compromised by peer pressure or fleeting curiosity. Bala also revealed plans by YADI to transition this initiative into an annual event, with future editions expanding to address broader themes like public safety, disaster readiness, and digital responsibility.
The brain behind the project, Abdulhameed Yushau, explained that his motivation stemmed from observing how easily teenagers fall prey to substance abuse due to social media influence and a lack of proper mentorship. To counter this, his campaign deployed school sensitization tours, interactive workshops, and multimedia production. Yushau urged the students to guard their futures diligently by joining productive school clubs, playing sports, mastering technical skills, and walking away from toxic social circles.
The event received strong institutional backing during the technical sessions. Aliyu Omama, the Deputy Commandant of the NDLEA FCT Command, broke down the severe academic, psychological, and physical tolls of drug addiction, warning the youths to be mindful of the choices they make. From a digital perspective, Mrs. Deborah Dada of NITDA challenged the students to redirect their youthful vigor toward technology, creative arts, and entrepreneurship, presenting these as fulfilling alternatives to societal vices.
Educators and students at the venue praised the initiative, noting that it perfectly embodies the spirit of the NYSC Community Development Service, which challenges corps members to leave lasting, positive footprints in their host communities. This impactful gathering beautifully coincided with the global observance of World Drug Day, aligning perfectly with this year’s international theme focusing on persistent issues, emerging challenges, and innovative responses to the global drug problem.
