Education
Group Sensitize Secondary School Students on Drug Abuse
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.
Education
Igbinedion University, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access
Mr. Femi Shonubi, Co-Founder/CTO – EduTech Global
Cyril Ogar
Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with EduTech Global to accelerate its digital learning ambitions, expand access to its academic programmes to students in the country.
Through the partnership, EduTech will provide digital learning infrastructure and technology support for the University’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC), thereby enabling learners to access quality university education beyond the conventional campus environment.
The partnership reflects Igbinedion University’s ambition to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape by combining its academic heritage with technology, innovation and new models of learning that contribute to national workforce development.
Speaking on the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the collaboration represented a significant step in the university’s ambition to produce graduates equipped for national and global impact.
He said: “At Igbinedion University, our mandate has always been to lead in producing graduates equipped for national and global impact. This partnership with EduTech Global represents a bold step into the future of higher education in Nigeria.
“By expanding our digital learning infrastructure, we are not just breaking down geographical barriers; we are actively contributing to national workforce development by ensuring that quality, industry-aligned education is accessible to every driven learner, regardless of location.”
In his remarks, Director, Igbinedion University Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Gideon Bawa, said the university was motivated by the opportunity to transform its existing processes, which hitherto were being handled manually, and build a more efficient and scalable distance learning model.
The Director clarified: “The growth recorded by institutions that have leveraged EduTech’s technology and expertise was a major factor in our decision to engage the company. We are confident that this partnership will position Igbinedion University to achieve significant growth in enrolment while strengthening the quality and efficiency of our Distance Learning Centre.”
“With this partnership, we expect to move most of our administrative and academic activities online through EduTech. This will improve efficiency, enhance the learner experience and allow our facilitators and students to engage more effectively through a connected digital learning environment”, Bawa added.
Commenting on the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EduTech Global, Femi Shonubi, pointed out that technology had been redefining the boundaries of what a university can offer, adding that EduTech’s role extends beyond putting courses online.
Shonubi expatiated: “Technology’s true value lies in its ability to drive tangible socio-economic impact through education. By dismantling physical boundaries, we are empowering institutions like Igbinedion University to democratise access to high-quality learning. This is about more than online courses; it is about developing a resilient, highly skilled workforce at scale to meet the demands of the modern economy.
“We are helping institutions build connected learning ecosystems that support the student journey from application and enrolment through learning, assessment and graduation. Igbinedion University’s ambition to lead in innovative education aligns strongly with what we are building at EduTech.”
General Manager, Edutech Global, Moyosore Asubiojo said the partnership arises as demand grows for flexible higher education among working professionals, entrepreneurs and learners seeking alternatives to traditional full-time campus education.
She asserted that by combining Igbinedion University’s academic competence with EduTech’s technology capabilities, the collaboration will create new pathways to quality education and workforce development while enabling the University to expand beyond its traditional geographical footprint.
Analysts believe that the partnership between the university and the tech company represents a shared commitment to making higher education more accessible, flexible and scalable, while positioning the university to compete and lead in the next generation of technology-enabled education in Nigeria and globally.
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