The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has taken its anti-drug and substance abuse campaign to the streets of Benin City, warning young people against the dangers of narcotics and urging them to embrace healthier lifestyles.
The two-day sensitisation drive, organised in collaboration with SG Logistics Services Limited, kicked off with a public awareness walk that began at King’s Square in Ring Road and moved through major streets, including Sapele Road, Ikpokpan, Boundary Road, and Ihama Road, before ending at Airport Road despite a heavy downpour.
The colourful march attracted hundreds of secondary school students, civil society organisations, and community volunteers who carried placards with messages such as “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life.” Participants also chanted solidarity songs to draw attention to the campaign.
The outreach featured interactive sessions where experts discussed the dangers of drug abuse, the influence of peer pressure, and practical steps to seek help. Former addicts also gave emotional testimonies about their struggles and pledged to live drug-free lives.
Speaking during the rally, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, Director of NDDC in Edo State, said the initiative was necessary to confront a growing threat to the younger generation.
“We are out here to add our voices to the fight against drug abuse. Too many young people are wasting their future. Saying no to drugs means saying yes to life, and we want them to know that help is available,” she said.
Babawale added that the sensitisation is part of NDDC’s broader strategy to tackle rising drug use across the Niger Delta, stressing that prevention and public education remain vital in curbing the menace.
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