In a renewed effort to tackle the alarming rise of youth violence, cultism, and drug abuse, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has intensified its sensitization campaigns across Lagos State, with recent engagements held in Mushin and Ifako-Ijaiye local government areas.
The campaign, part of a national movement themed “Pathway to National Cohesion, Development and Unity,” took centre stage at the Mushin LGA Council Secretariat. Addressing a gathering of community leaders, youths, and stakeholders, Dr. Mustafa Adedeji Tukur, Director of NOA Lagos, delivered a passionate appeal to young Nigerians to reject violence and embrace peace, especially with the local government elections fast approaching.
“The future of our communities and indeed our country rests on the shoulders of the youth. Promoting peace and avoiding violence is not just a civic duty; it is a patriotic act,” Dr. Tukur stated firmly.
He stressed that youth restiveness and ethnic tension pose serious threats to national unity and must be tackled head-on through grassroots awareness and strategic empowerment. According to him, the Federal Government has initiated various schemes aimed at youth development, urging participants to explore these opportunities instead of turning to destructive lifestyles.
“Youth development is nation-building. Impacting the youth is impacting the nation positively. You must continue to promote peace and unity wherever you find yourselves,” he added.
Youths Speak Up
During the interactive session in Mushin, young participants voiced their concerns about the limited grassroots reach of the campaign. In response, Dr. Tukur assured them that the sensitization programme, which started last year, is an ongoing initiative. He reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to expanding its community engagement efforts through collaboration with local leaders and deployment of field officers across the state.
Tukur also highlighted NOA’s strong alliance with security agencies, stating that the synergy is aimed at creating a peaceful and safe environment for youth involvement during the electoral season and beyond.
Welcoming the initiative, Comrade Oredda Olusoji, Youth Leader of Mushin LGA, commended NOA’s decision to bring the programme to the area. He called for more partnerships between the agency and youth organizations to amplify the campaign’s impact.
“We are glad to host this programme in Mushin. We look forward to more partnerships that will empower and educate our young people,” Olusoji said.
Schoolchildren Get the Message in Ifako-Ijaiye
The campaign also reached students at Olu Abiodun Private School in Ifako-Ijaiye, where the focus shifted to combating drug abuse and its direct link to cult-related activities. Addressing the students, NOA Assistant Director Kaitell Kehinde delivered a strong warning against the dangers of drug experimentation and illicit behaviours driven by peer pressure.
“Say no to cultism. Say no to drugs. Don’t let curiosity push you into habits that ruin lives,” Kehinde cautioned.
The session included a detailed awareness presentation followed by an engaging Q&A segment, allowing students to ask questions and express their views on the subject matter.
The programme conveyed clear messages that stressed moral integrity and warned against negative peer influence, with the ultimate goal of steering young people away from paths that lead to criminality and addiction.
NOA says it will continue to take the message to more schools and communities in the weeks ahead, reinforcing its mission to build a more united, informed, and responsible youth population across Nigeria.
