By Sumaila Ogbaje
Mrs Oghogho Musa, President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) has launched a drug abuse prevention campaign targeted at secondary school students through sports.
Musa made this known at the opening of the DEPOWA Inter-Secondary Schools Competition 2025 on Monday in Abuja.
She said the programme was designed to empower students to “live free and stay clean” by making positive lifestyle choices.
Musa explained that the four-week initiative would engage students every Thursday with sporting events and awareness activities, culminating in a grand finale on Oct. 16.
“This competition is not just about winning trophies. It is about giving our children the tools to say no to drugs and yes to healthy living.
“As a society, we have the responsibility to protect and guide our youth, ensuring they navigate adolescence safely and in good health,” she said.
Musa expressed concern about rising substance abuse among Nigerian teenagers, citing cannabis, codeine, inhalants and other psychoactive substances as common threats.
She stressed that sports build resilience, leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, qualities she said could help young people cope with life challenges and avoid destructive habits.
She thanked the Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, for the agency’s rehabilitation and sensitisation programmes.
“With over 3,453 individuals rehabilitated across 30 centres nationwide and the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign reaching schools, workplaces and communities, NDLEA is making a real impact,” she said.
Musa also expressed gratitude to the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her “motherly inspiration and continuous guidance,” as well as to her husband, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for being the driving force behind her vision in DEPOWA.
“Together, we can make a lasting impact and help our youth live healthy, drug-free lives,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inter-school sports competition featured nine schools from across military barracks and bases in the Federal Capital Territory.
The schools are competing in football (male and female); volleyball (male and female); basketball (male and female) as well as track events. (NAN)