By Owho Warri
The federated Union of community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (FUCNPN) and International Center for Women Empowerment and Child Development
( ICWECD) and some key societal stakeholders held a sensitization campaign against drug abuse and other social vices"theme: " Drug free community, safe future "
The event held on the 21, May 2026, at Ughelli Government College premises attracted dignitaries across the state, including parents and guardians.
The campaign was initiated and organized by FUCNPN and ICWECD so as to curb the rising tide of substance dependency and social decay.
The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was scheduled as the Special Guest of Honor, was unavoidably absent due to pressing official engagements tied to the APC gubernatorial primaries. Consequently, the union deferred its planned presentation of the prestigious "Best Community Development Governor of the Year" award to the Governor.
The leadership resolved to present the accolade at a later, more exclusive date to fully honor his administration's grassroots developmental strides.
The campaign featured a robust academic and practical discourse, with frontline speakers unpacking the root causes, effects, and solutions to drug abuse.
Pastor Idowu Okeze, a renowned philanthropist and founder of the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation, represented by Dr Patrick Adigwe, delivered a compelling paper on "Empowering the Youth to Prevent Drug Abuse," emphasizing that economic self-reliance is the ultimate shield against peer pressure.
Dr. Michael Ogana, Head of the Department of Human Resources Management and Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Delta State chapter, dissected "The Nexus Between Substance Abuse and Campus Safety," warning of the corrosive impact of narcotics on tertiary institutions.
In order to address the menace, Dr Ogana urged schools to integrate drug abuse awareness into orientation programmes, partner with NDLEA for regular - sensitization, and adopt peer-education models.
Dr. (Mrs.) Congrats Odiete, Provost of the College of Health Science and Technology, who was ably represented by Pharm, Immortal Otobrise ,addressed the central theme, offering a clinical look at the physical and psychological devastation of drug abuse.
The forum drew a diverse audience, signaling a united front against social vices.
Attendees included secondary school students, tertiary undergraduates, trade unions, professional associations, NGOs, community leaders, and religious clerics.
The Acting Chief Inspector of Education, Ughelli North local government area, Mrs Martha Odiete commended the organizers for targeting impressionable minds at a critical time.
In his remarks, the Golden Grand Patron of the Union, His Excellency Amb. Chief Dr. Christopher Iwale, ably represented by Comrade Oliver Eyefia, Chairman, PCRC, Delta State Command, urged community leaders to revive traditional moral upbringing structures.
In a goodwill message to the occasion, the Grand Patron of the Federated Union of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, Obi Dr. Henry Chukwuma Ajudua described the theme Drug Free Community Safe Future as very apt and timely.
He commended the union for embarking on the nationwide comprehensive sensitization campaign against drug abuse and other social vices. Dr. Ajudua urged youths to shun vices and channel their energies into worthy ventures.
Earlier, the National President of FUCNPN, Dr. Dan Awana, delivered a warm welcome address, reiterating the community media's vital role in social engineering and advocacy.
The campaign concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing students and participants to engage speakers directly, followed by group photographs to solidify their collective pledge toward building a drug-free society.