Education

Group Sensitize Secondary School Students on Drug Abuse

Published

4 years ago

December 1, 2021

A Non- Governmental Organization, NGO the Support Nest Initiatives has sensitized the Students of Command Day Secondary School, in Abuja on the danger of Drug and Substance abuse in order to curb the rising menace in the Society.

The Director, Support Nest Initiative, Bukola Ugbuji in an interview with journalists during the sensitization in Abuja, programme lamented that the increasing rate of drug abuse in the society is alarming which needs urgent attention.

She explained that the programme is aimed towards curbing the act of drug abuse among peer groups through educating the students on the danger and effect of drug abuse.

‘’So, the support nest initiative decided to organize a sensitization at the command day secondary school, in Abuja and the purpose of the sensitization is that we are aware that drugs and substance is a problem that the chairman of NDLEA called it an Epidemic.

‘’So we thought it necessary to reach out to the secondary school students to start to sensitize them about the issue around drug and substance use and abuse and basically what we are looking at is how to prevent substance use .

‘’Our Organization focus is on the military and the paramilitary, the serving personnel and their families. Our message is simple, we dare to say no, say no drug, and say no to drug abuse. My advice is to say no, even when your peers come to you and force you to, just say no to it.

Also, Superintendent of Narcotics, Owonubi Gbenga of the Drug demand reduction directorate, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA during his presentation said that drug means any chemical substance either natural or synthetic which when taken into the body by whichever means, alters its functions physically/or psychologically.

According to him, drug abuse means there is excessive use of socially acceptable drugs, like alcohol, cigarettes, kola-nuts, coffee etc.

He said that Alcohol is the most widely and commonly abused substance among youths, adding that alcohol is both a depressant and a stimulant affecting the central nervous system (CNS).

He noted that signs of drug abuse are possession of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling paper, small decongestant bottle, possession of drugs, drug plants or butts, seeds or leaves in ashtrays or clothing pockets, odor of drugs, smell of incense or other “cover up” scents, among many others

Speaking on some of the consequences of drug abuse, the expert listed damage to the brain and liver, Heart and Lung diseases, Irregular heartbeat, High blood pressure and Hepatitis.

He encourages the students to build self-esteem, to know their positive qualities and depend on them when under peer pressure.

Gbenga enjoined them to equip themselves with information about drugs and drug abuse, avoid people who use drugs and places where drugs are used, encourage friends who have drug problems to seek help, and report drug peddlers to appropriate authorities.

His words, ‘Well, the sensitization is good and we need to do more of it, because the issue of drugs in our society today is becoming something else and all hands must be on desk to fight this scourge called drug abuse.

‘’It is very good because it is good we catch them now that they are still young before they go into the larger society and there will be nobody to advise them, there will be nobody to monitor them. They will soon be going to the university where there are a lot of vices.

‘’We should all be advocates of drug abuse, we should talk to people about this drug, and we should tell them the reason why they should stay away from drugs. NDLEA cannot do it alone, we need the religious leaders, we need the political leaders, we need the school, and we need everybody in the society to start talking about these drugs in order for us to win this war.

Also, part of the volunteers of the Organisation, Jummai Manson charged parents to stop being in denial and sensitize their children at home that drugs and substance abuse is real and it can damage life.

She stressed that it is important for youths to understand that taking drugs or substances does not solve anything, noting that there are better ways of coming out of any problem or situation other than drug abuse.

A participant, Adediran Blessing advised that there are some drugs you don’t take excessively and you are going to wait for the prescription before taking them.

Also, One of the students at the sensitization, Joshua Alfred said, ’Drug abuse is a bad substance, because it is injurious to our health. I learnt about the different types of drug abuse we have, so now when the bad substances are, I know them in order to stay away from them.

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

4 weeks ago

May 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Mariam Abeeb

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured students it was working assiduously towards building a technology driven system that would improve easy access to its loans.

This was as the FUND disclosed that no fewer than 320,000 students have thus far been paid with many more currently undergoing verification process to enable their payments.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr gave the assurances in Abuja, while addressing Polytechnics , Monotechnics and Institutes at a Stakeholders Engagement Session/ Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.

Sawyerr noted that the FUND was targeting a platform where students could access loan with confidence and without stress in a manner that was transparent and accountable.

He said: “At NELFUND our mission goes beyond giving loans. It’s about opening doors, it’s about making sure every young Nigerian who is willing to learn and grow has a real shot regardless of their background, location, or chosen path of study.

“For too long, many students, especially in technical institutions, have faced steep financial barriers; some drop out, others have never even applied. This is the gap we at NELFUND are here to close. But we know we can’t do it alone.

“This is a shared mission. It belongs to all of us, government institutions and the private sector alike. This technical workshop marks a major step forward.

“We’re not only providing financing, we’re building a technology-driven system that makes it easier for students to apply, for institutions to verify, and for funds to be disbursed with speed, fairness, and accountability.

“We’re aiming for access without stress, a platform students can use with confidence; transparency and trust so that no one is left wondering where their application stands; partnership with purpose because your feedback, your data, and your cooperation are critical to making this work. We rely on you as our institutional partners to help us bring this vision to life.”

Sawyerr who commended the institutions for providing technical expertise, practical hands-on training that fuels industries and empowers communities over the years, said besides teaching skills, they have built careers, created employers and strengthened economies.

“You know your students, you understand their struggles, your insights will help us tailor this system to reflect the realities on ground, not just assumptions on paper.

“To NBTE, we value your steady leadership in shaping and regulating technical education. Your collaboration is key as we move forward fully.”

The NELFUND boss urged the institutions to partner with the FUND to deliver a system that was not just functional or sustainable, but one that was transformative

“As we move forward fully, integrating NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, let us remember at the heart of all of this is a student, a young Nigerian with dreams, with ambition, and the courage to pursue them. Everything we do must serve that student.

“The only way to make it happen is by working together, listening to one another, and staying grounded in real-world challenges. I encourage you all to engage fully today share what’s working and what is not, and together let’s build something that lasts.”

NELFUND ‘s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that apart from the 320,000 students who have so far been paid, more verifications are currently ongoing.

Mustapha, who explained that the failure of not having the number of registered students tally with the number of students whose application process was deemed successful was from the part of students and not NELFUND, said there was an urgent need to bridge the gap.

He also disclosed that the FUND was considering connecting directly to institution’s portal to get the data they need, and how student could apply to their institutions portal without necessarily reaching out to NELFUND.

“One other thing that we’re trying to do going forward is to send some of our IT to all the institutions so that we can see how possible it is we connect directly to your portal instead of saying please send us data. How can we connect using an API which makes it easier to get the data of any student coming to us directly from your portal and not from our portal. So we don’t need to be collecting any data again.

“At the same time, we’re thinking of seeing how is it possible that a student can apply to your portal without coming to us. So it makes it so easy for the student when they’re doing registration, when they’re doing payments, they can select either to apply for NELFUND loans and the process will go through your portal. So you have all the data without ever reaching to NELFUND. All we need is for you to give assurance these are your students and if we have that, we pay you directly. It makes it simpler and faster for all the students.”

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