Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende, 44, declared that drug abuse has reached pandemic levels in Lagos, necessitating swift action.
At the “Empowering Her Fortune Initiative” in Lagos, he cautioned young people against drug use, warning that it can cut short their future prospects.
The event, a collaboration between Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area and MTN Momo, aimed to empower youth.
Ogunlende emphasized the need for collective efforts to combat drug abuse, stating, “This drug affects all of us.”
He highlighted the devastating consequences of substance addiction, including diseases, road accidents, and premature deaths, affecting not only users but also innocent lives.
The commissioner’s urgent call to action sought to safeguard the lives and futures of Lagos’ youth.
Ogunlende said: “So, let us not say we are not concerned, it does not matter, or it does not involve us because we do not take it.
“Please, I want us to take it seriously. It is a pandemic. I have been involved in several conversations about these drugs in Lagos.
“Once something is a pandemic, it is something every one of us must continue to be a part of.
“The government cannot do it alone, the private organisation cannot do it alone; we must form partnership and collaboration to ensure our community continues to thrive and be safe.”
He highlighted that the state government’s war against drug abuse informed the launch of the awareness campaign tagged ‘Lagos Kicks Against Drug Abuse.
“We must ensure a greater Lagos continues to rise,” he added.
Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende praised the conduct of Lagos youths during the #EndBadGovernance protests, assuring that the state government values and supports them.
He encouraged youths to seize opportunities for empowerment, including the “Students Loan” scheme. Ogunlende commended Chairman Fuad Atanda-Lawal of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA for prioritizing women’s empowerment through trade boosts.
He urged Atanda-Lawal to continue supporting youths, given their significant population and challenges. The empowerment program, which provided N50,000 each to 1,000 women, was attended by lawmakers, traditional leaders, and APC officials, according to NAIJATRAFFIC.
Ogunlende emphasized the importance of investing in youth development, saying, “The government had not taken youths for granted.”
