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The Assistant Commander, NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, ACG Liwan Wali, has counselled the Nigerian pupulace that preventing the use of, and addiction to illicit drug among youths is far better than paying heavily at rehabilitation centres as an aftermath of addiction.
The valuable counselling was freely given as Wali delivered the keynote address at the grand finale of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking which was held in the Makanjuola Lecture Theatre Hall on Ọjọ Main Campus of the Lagos State University (LASU) Tuesday, Nibe 30th, 2026.
The programme was a product of collaborative efforts among the LASU chapter of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Club, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alabukun Powder (COPAC Nigerian Limited), and the Ogunremi Foundation.
Speaking at the event with the theme The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses, the NDLEA top brass also averred that the war against the use of illicit substances could not be fought by NDLEA alone but by the collective efforts of Nigerian universities and society in general.
This conviction, informed the 2026 theme which focuses on raising awareness, promoting innovative approaches to drug abuse prevention, and strengthening collective efforts against illicit drug trafficking in society.
At the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello was honoured with the title, Grand Matron of the WADA Club, LASU Chapter, in recognition of her exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to youth development and the promotion of a drug-free society.
While delivering her welcome address, which was beautifully conveyed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academics), Professor Oseni Afisi, the VC described this year’s theme as a timely call for sustained collaboration, evidence-based strategies and stronger preventive measures to address the global drug menace.
She commended the enduring partnership between LASU and the NDLEA while highlighting the impactful anti-drug advocacy of the university’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Chapter since its launch in 2022.
Reaffirming LASU’s zero-tolerance policy on drug abuse, she urged students to embrace discipline, uphold moral values and make responsible choices that promote mental well-being and purposeful living.
The Vice-Chancellor concluded her address with, on an emphatic note that youths and indeed, all should: “Say No to Drug Abuse and Yes to Life, Purpose and a Brighter Future.”
”The theme paper was meticulously handled by the Commander of Narcotics (CN), Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (CTR), Chinyerem Ezihaghali.
In the speech, she noted that drug dependence as a chronic disease which gradually moves from misuse, to craving, then addiction.
Enlightening the participants on the effects of drug addiction on users, she cautioned that when an individual allows drug dependence, he or she will automatically allow cravings for those substances to set in which then takes control of the body’s organs.
She also tutored that terrible consequences follow drug addiction.
Some of the consequences, according to Ezihaghali, include the destruction of homes, careers, relationships and the resultant societal stigmatisation.
Concluding her speech, Ezihaghali charged the participants and the general public to intentionally take the advocacy to homes, schools and other public spaces.
“Let your No be an emphatic NO whenever anyone is introducing you to illicit substances usage.”; she stressed.
She encouraging the participants to speak out by calling the NDLEA free toll line on 08001-020-3040 whenever they see something relating to drugs addiction, use or trafficking in their surroundings, warning that silence protects dealers.
Goodwill messages were respectively delivered by the Coordinator, WADA, LASU Chapter, Professor Deborah Adewuyi, Founder and Chairman, Ogunremi Foundation, King Ogunremi, COPAC Nigerian Limited, Alabukun Powder representative, Mr Bunmi Oyewole and the outgoing 36th LASUSU President, Comrade Adebayo Korede Peters.
Meanwhile, several informative drama presentations, skits and musical performances added flavour to the event.
