From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The 2019-2020 Miss Igala Beauty Pageant winner, Queen Favour Makolo has called on youths across the country to shun illicit drugs use in order to secure their future and fulfilment of dreams.
The Beauty Queen made the call during a Sensitisation Peace Walk Against Drug Abuse organised for the youths in collaboration with Confluence Concept Productions Limited (CCPL) in Lokoja over the weekend.
Makolo noted that illicit drug use among the youth had hindered fulfilment of their dreams and negated their development and attainment in life adding “Drug abuse has been a major issue globally and we have been preaching against it because it is actually hindering the youth of this generation from fulfilling their dreams.
“We are in a collective effort with conventional and social media as well as media influencers here to talk and preach against drug abuse so that as youths and leaders of tomorrow, we can have fulfill dreams.” Beauty pageant added.
The 200-level History and International Studies student of the Federal University, Lokoja said drug abuse and addiction should therefore, be nipped with adequate sensitization and awareness creation stressing that drug abuse was now rampant among children from the age of 13 as a result of peer pressure with nobody to advise them the implications.
Makolo said that the campaign had three segments aside the peace walk adding, “there will be a seminar on drug abuse in each of the three senatorial districts of Kogi state, and Catch-Them-Young program which will involve secondary schools.
She said, “As leaders of tomorrow, if we start using drugs now, I don’t think there will be tomorrow that we have always dreamt about to lead. so, let’s say no to drugs”, she advised.
The placard carrying youths started their peace walk from Ganaja Junction to Government House gate, Lokoja distributing flyers to the public.
Inscriptions on some of the placards read, “Stay Off Drugs and Fulfill Your Dreams”; “Say No To Drugs; We Use Drugs To Feel Better, We Stop Abusing Drugs To Be Better; A Drug-free Nation Begins With You.”
