In a bid to safeguard the future of young Nigerians, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched an ambitious campaign against substance abuse in secondary schools across Calabar, Cross River State.
Unlike conventional drug awareness programs, this initiative takes a hands-on approach, engaging students as ambassadors of change. 
Held at the West African People Institute (WAPI), the program—executed in collaboration with Devongnosis Education Limited—sought to not only inform but also empower students to take an active role in combating drug abuse within their schools and communities.
Dr. Eme Inyangabia, Assistant Director at NDDC, described substance abuse as a “silent epidemic” threatening Nigeria’s youth. She emphasized that beyond awareness, the goal is to create a movement where students become the frontline advocates against drug use among their peers.
The event also took a sobering turn as a former drug addict shared his harrowing nine-year struggle with addiction and his road to recovery. His testimony served as a powerful reminder of how easy it is to fall into substance abuse—and how difficult it can be to escape. “Not everyone gets a second chance,” he warned the students.
Stakeholders, including Nnadi Roseline Ada, Deputy Commander of the NDLEA’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit, called for deeper intervention strategies, urging schools and parents to work together in reinforcing positive behavior.
“We cannot fight this battle alone,” she stressed. “It starts in homes, in schools, and in the choices young people make every day.”
With calls to extend the campaign beyond Calabar, the program signals a shift from merely raising awareness to fostering a culture of responsibility, mentorship, and peer-led education.
By equipping students with the tools to resist drug pressure and become advocates for a healthier future, NDDC is not just fighting a battle—it is building an army of youth leaders determined to reclaim their generation.
