Queen’s College, Lagos, has emerged overall winner at the inaugural National Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention Music Talent Hunt Concert/Launch of the ‘One Nation, One Voice Campaign Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Nigeria’, held recently in Lagos to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event, themed Winning the Campaign against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse with Creative Minds was organised by the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) in collaboration with the University of Lagos and the Zidora Aid Foundation. It featured captivating performances in music, spoken words, dance, and drama—all geared toward raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of AYICRIP, Chris Ibe, said the campaign goes beyond a concert. “This is a national call to action. Music is a universal language, capable of healing and inspiring. Today, we use it to say: ‘Say no to drugs, say yes to purpose and a brighter future,’” he said.
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He stressed that the platform provides an opportunity for youths to showcase their creativity, passion and commitment to a drug free Nigeria. Though dance, word, live performance and artistic competition, we are giving a voice to a new generation, one that refuses to be defined by drugs, crime or hopelessness.
He also officially launched the ‘One Nation, One Voice’ campaign—an initiative that will run on four pillars: school-based prevention programmes, community engagement, workplace sensitisation, and faith-based education.
In a keynote address, Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the campaign as “a movement that recognises the most powerful voice against drug abuse must come from the youth.”
Marwa, who was represented by The Commander, Lagos State Strategic Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abubakar Liman Wali, stressed that drug abuse is not a distant problem but a crisis affecting schools, streets, homes, and social spaces.
“Every puff, pill, or injection costs more than money—it costs dignity, dreams, and lives,” he warned.
He noted that the NDLEA has, in the last four and a half years, seized over 11.1 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and secured convictions of more than 12,000 offenders.
“Beyond enforcement, we are rehabilitating drug users—over 26,000 people counselled and treated. But we need society-wide cooperation,” he added.
Also speaking, Dr. Peter Adenibuyan, representing Dr. Olajumoke Koyejo, Coordinator of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), South West, described substance abuse as a “global pandemic.” He noted that efforts must begin at home, with parents understanding the dangers of drug use.
He called for increased investment in training healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers on how to support those with substance use disorders. “Recovery is a process, and we need the government, NGOs, and communities working together to save lives,” he said.
Dr. Adenibuyan also highlighted the urgent need to include substance abuse education in school curricula and professional training programmes to tackle availability, affordability, and access to drugs.