The Youth Against Disaster Initiative (YADI), in partnership with a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abdulhameed Yushau, has organised an essay and quiz competition for secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to strengthen the campaign against drug abuse among young Nigerians.

The competition formed the grand finale of the Drug-Free Schools Initiative, a youth-focused advocacy programme designed to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse while promoting responsible decision-making, healthy lifestyles and safer school environments.

The event, held in Abuja, brought together students, teachers, education stakeholders, officials of the NYSC, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and corps members in support of the initiative.

The essay competition attracted 84 entries from students across participating schools, with finalists advancing to the concluding stage alongside contestants in the quiz competition.

At the end of the contest, Ozor Kamsy of Federal Government Boys College, Wuye, emerged winner of the essay competition. Arafat Ismail of Parliament International School placed second, while Nafisat Abbas of Badr Integrated School secured third position.

In the quiz competition, Jamal Oyawoye of Badr Integrated School emerged overall winner, followed by Nicodemus Gideon of Government Secondary School (GSS), Apo, in second place, while Salma Musa of Parliament International School came third.

Speaking at the event, YADI Programme Coordinator, Umar Faruk Bala, said the organisation supported the initiative because of the urgent need to shield young people from the growing menace of drug abuse and substance misuse.

He stressed that effective prevention requires sustained engagement beyond routine awareness campaigns.

“This initiative is not just about warning students against drugs. It is about helping them understand that their future is too valuable to be destroyed by a moment of pleasure, peer pressure or curiosity,” he said.

According to him, awareness programmes should encourage students to think critically, write, ask questions, compete and ultimately become ambassadors of drug-free living within their schools and communities.

Bala disclosed that YADI plans to sustain the initiative as an annual intervention, with future editions expanding to cover disaster preparedness, responsible digital citizenship, public safety and other youth-related issues.

The initiator of the campaign, Abdulhameed Yushau, said the Drug-Free Schools Initiative was inspired by his concern over the increasing exposure of teenagers to drug abuse and other risky behaviours.

He explained that the project featured advocacy lectures, article writing, video production, school sensitisation campaigns and interactive learning sessions designed to deepen students’ understanding of the dangers associated with substance abuse.

According to Yushau, many young people are drawn into drug abuse through curiosity, peer pressure, poor guidance, media influence and the desire for social acceptance.

He urged students to protect their future by choosing positive friendships, participating in sports and school clubs, acquiring useful skills and avoiding environments associated with drug abuse.

“The quiz and essay competitions were introduced to test students’ understanding of the campaign and encourage them to become advocates of drug-free living within their schools and communities,” he said.

During the sensitisation session, the Deputy Commandant of the NDLEA FCT Command, Aliyu Omama, educated students on the health, psychological, social and academic consequences of drug abuse.

He advised them to reject negative peer influence, avoid harmful substances and make responsible choices capable of securing their future.

A representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mrs. Deborah Dada, encouraged the students to channel their energy into digital innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition as positive alternatives to drug abuse and other harmful behaviours.

She noted that technology offers enormous opportunities for young people and urged them to embrace learning and innovation as pathways to success.

The organisers said the initiative reflects the core objectives of the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), which encourages corps members to identify societal challenges and implement practical solutions within their host communities.

The campaign received the endorsement of the National Youth Service Corps, with NYSC officials and corps members attending the event in support of the initiative.

Teachers and participating students described the programme as timely, educative and impactful, commending the organisers for using creative learning approaches to promote drug prevention among adolescents.

The event also coincided with the conclusion of activities marking the 2026 World Drug Day, officially known as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This year’s global theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” underscores the need for sustained prevention strategies, youth engagement and community-driven responses to emerging drug-related threats.

Organisers said the Drug-Free Schools Initiative would continue to serve as a platform for promoting healthy lifestyles, responsible choices and safer learning environments for young Nigerians. (By PRNigeria)

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