The Councillor representing Ward E3 Agbala in Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ibrahim Risikat Abiodun, together with the Agbala Youth Forum, on Thursday, September 18th, 2025, hosted a youth and community sensitization program focused on addressing drug abuse and other social vices affecting young people in the area.

The event, themed “Youth Sensitization on Drug Abuse and Its Gravity in Our Society,” was held at the Agbala Palace, Ikorodu. It brought together youths, parents, community leaders, and security agencies to collectively confront challenges such as drug abuse, indecent dressing, peer pressure, and other negative influences within the society.

In her address, Hon. Ibrahim Risikat Abiodun emphasized the critical role of the youth in shaping the future of the community and the nation at large. He warned against the dangers of drug abuse, stressing that it not only destroys the health and potential of young people but also threatens the social fabric of the society.

She called on all stakeholders parents, community leaders, and security agencies to work together in creating a safe and nurturing environment for the youth to thrive. “Our youths are our greatest asset; protecting them from social vices is protecting the future of Ikorodu and Nigeria,” she said.

Representing the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Mayor Ameen Olawale Apanishile, represented by the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Mathew Adesanya, stressed the urgent need to tackle issues impacting young people. He spoke about the dangers of indecent dressing, harmful peer groups, and drug addiction, while urging parents to take greater responsibility in supervising their children and wards. He affirmed that “Together, we can activate the Nigeria of our dreams.”

The sensitization program also complements the Progressive Agenda for a Safe Community, championed by Mayor Apanisile, which aims to promote youth empowerment, community safety, and responsible living across Ikorodu North.

Security agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) participated in the event, sharing prevention strategies, rehabilitation efforts, and emphasizing the importance of community collaboration in curbing drug abuse and promoting responsible lifestyles.

In his closing remarks, Comrade Adewale Jackson, Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ikorodu North, encouraged young people to remain focused, reject drugs, and embrace positive values. He charged the youths to “say yes to life and no to drug abuse.”