Mariam Akinloye
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon.) Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, the Ajanaku II, the Alajede of Ijede, who has at various times expressed worries at the rate at which youths engage in drug abuse and cultism, commended the Lagos State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for the “Back To Streets” initiative.
Oba Adefarasin who was a former council chairman and former lawmaker, gave the commendation when the leadership of the youth body led by its state chairman, Engr. Ibrahim Olalekan Adigun (MNSE), paid a courtesy visit to the royal father as part of the activities that kicked -off the campaign in Ijede LCDA, last week.
Oba Adefarasin explained the danger in taking hard drugs and getting into cultism and urged youths involved in such acts to desist.
He urged NYCN leaders to move from street to streets to let young people know the effects hard drug and substances have on the youth and the society.
Alajede also supports the youth initiative to drive registration for the Permanent Voters’ Card as part of civic responsibility
The royal father urged youth to consider going for vocational training after their secondary education to acquire skills and something to fall back to.
Engr. Adigun, speaking earlier, informed Alajede that the campaign has been flagged -off in Ijede LCDA.
“The “Back to Street” initiative is kick -starting in Ijede LCDA. That means Ikorodu Division is the first place where the initiative kicks -off.
“The initiative is in three phases – the first is advocacy against drug abuse. Our youth has turned a lot of substance to drugs and they are abusing it which is why we partner with the NDLEA which is supporting us with the advocacy. We have also been to the police station just to let them know about this initiative so that when they see us on the street, they won’t think that we are protesting.
“Secondly sir, is the advocacy against cultism because a lot of young ones are involved which is why we want them to choose their life first and not end up dead which is why we want to amplify our voices against it.”
Engr. Adigun continued: “As you are aware my King, the youth make up at least 70% of our population and also the highest population of voters and this is their civic responsibility and not a favour to anyone but themselves as citizens. So, we are also out to mobilise them towards registration and collection of their PVCs,” he explained.
While thanking Oba Adefarasin for his support for the youth in Ijede, the NYCN Chairman requested for the royal blessings as they set out to take the campaign to 56 other local governments across the state.
Engr Adigun visited the royal father in company of the state NYCN executive council including State Deputy Chairman, Sen. Comfort Olafare, Lagos East Vice Chairman, Comrade Asoro Abubakri Olatunji among others and also officers of the youth body from various council areas. Also, part of the team were representatives of the NDLEA and voluntary organisations like the Boys Brigade, Girls Guide, Boys Scout and the Sheriff Guide among others.
