Stakeholders in Ikorodu West, Lagos State, on Wednesday warned youths against the use of hard drugs and engaging in social vices capable of destroying their future.
They gave the warning at the award ceremony organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Ikorodu.
Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Developmental Area, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that youths should choose education as a priority.
“The use of hard drugs will not only destroy their careers but also destroy their mental health.
“Youths council’s achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the government providing the needed necessary support,’’ the chairman said.
He promised to support youths by engaging some of them in the skills acquisition programme of the development area council.
Mr Deen Sanwoola, Director-General of an NGO, in his contribution challenged youths to be creative.
He stated that they could only achieve meaningful things if they did some things differently or if they provided solution to societal problems.
In another contribution, Mr Gafar Bolowotan, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, promised that it would site a youth centre with sporting facilities in Ikorodu West if the local government provided the land.
The Medical Director, Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr Taiwo Hassan, sensitised youths to the health effect of taking hard drugs.
Hassan said that most drug addicts usually ended up on the streets as destitute and some engaged in robbery and advised them against being influenced by friends.
Mr. Asoro Olatunji, Coordinator, NYCN Ikorodu West chapter, commended the council chairman for his support and advised youths to be good ambassadors of the country as well as to shun hard drugs and social vices. (NAN)
