In Nigeria, the rising rate of drug misuse among the youth is becoming unbearably alarming, more so, as recent empirical study confirmed that for every 4 drug users in the country now, one is a woman.
This issue of drug abuse is now becoming the concerns of not only the governments in the country, as even private organizations, individuals and non governmental organizations (NGOs) too are now coming to the rescue to stem the rising tide.
An esteemed traditional ruler in the country, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, Otileta VII, the Olowu of Owu, an ancient kingdom in Yoruba land is also in the vanguard of these well meaning Nigerians that had picked up the gauntlet in the war against drug abuse in the country.
Oba Matemilola has pledged to work in tandem with Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation, an NGO championing the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria to contribute his quota to halting the pervasive incursion of this bug in the society.
The royal father gave his express willingness to work with the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation (ADWF) when the NGO's team paid him a courtesy visit in his palace recently to brief him of the ongoing efforts of the Foundation in combating substance abuse across various communities and to establish a collaborative partnership with the Olowu Palace.
Oba Matemilola commended the efforts of the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation in addressing substance abuse within the communities, noting that drug addiction is becoming more rampant in the society as they devise new drugs daily.
He said drug abusers no longer have any inhibitions, nor diterred by fund, as some even get high on wood sap, cheap drugs while some get high on inhaling fumes from the latrines.
Oba Matemilola expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration and officially endorsed the partnership between the Foundation and the Palace.
He said the "collaboration will fall under Solace Foundation, an initiative of the palace which is into Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advocacy, and overseen by an Executive Director, Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola".
Earlier, the President of the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation, Alhaji Asiwaju Dapo Wahab JP, provided a comprehensive overview of the Foundation’s initiatives aimed at ensuring drug-free communities.
He expressed his gratitude to His Royal Majesty for his continued support in the fight against substance abuse and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Foundation and the Palace.
Asiwaju Wahab stressed the urgent need for traditional rulers intervention in the war against drug abuse so that the advocacy could permeate down to the grassroots.
In his own address, Chief Isola Akinsipo, the Akogun of Owu, welcomed the Foundation’s initiative and reiterated the Palace’s commitment to the cause of drug abuse prevention.
He acknowledged that the Olowu has a vested interest in the issue of drug misuse and viewed the collaboration as a significant and positive development.
Meanwhile, Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola, the Executive Director of Solace Foundation expressed her joy in receiving the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation team.
She reiterated the Solace Substance Abuse & Mental Health Advocacy Group’s commitment to partnering with the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation to enhance the well-being of the society.
She noted that as an offshoot of the collaboration, a youth-focused program aimed at preventing substance misuse within the Owu Kingdom is planned for the near future.
This initiative will serve as a key performance indicator of the partnership’s success in addressing substance abuse at the community level.
Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation distributed booklets and demonstrated the benefits of a drug free lifestyle to the delight of Oba Matemilola and his chiefs, members of the press and other courtesans at the Palace.
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