A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Straight Out of Navy Town (SONT), organised an awareness programme on Saturday for students and parents about the dangers of drug abuse.
Mr. Ayodeji Ogunyemi, General Coordinator of SONT, said the initiative was necessary due to the rising incidence of drug use in society.
He spoke at the SONT Well-being and Substance Abuse Programme, held at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos State.
Ogunyemi explained that the programme was scheduled during the Easter holiday so that both students and parents would be available to attend.
“We focused on the problem of substance abuse and how young people are gambling with their futures by getting involved in drugs. Society has been seriously affected, and many productive young minds are drifting away because of this habit. We hope that, with Christ’s resurrection this Easter, hearts will turn toward a better path,” he said.
SONT was founded by residents of Navy Town, with the goal of giving back to the community.
“The idea began in 2016 as a kind of old boys’ association. We became fully operational in 2023 and have been conducting activities ever since. We now have six chapters across Nigeria, including Abuja, Benin, Lagos, and Port Harcourt,” Ogunyemi said.
During the Easter season, the group visited schools, churches, and the local mosque to promote their message.
“We visited Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Naval Officers’ Wives Association Secondary School, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, St. Andrew’s Protestant Church, and the Central Mosque. We also held a rally in the barracks to raise awareness. Our aim is to reach everyone, wherever they are,” he said.
Ogunyemi encouraged parents to monitor their children closely and to speak openly about the risks of drugs, despite social stigma.
“Some parents shy away from addressing the issue even when they know their children are involved. Continuous guidance is essential to prevent children from straying,” he said.
The NGO plans to engage Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) in schools within the barracks as a follow-up, hoping these small steps will grow into a larger community impact.
Ms. Blessing Clark, Coordinator of SheSparks Empowerment Initiative, said her foundation partnered with SONT to support girls and prevent substance abuse.
“Our mission is to empower girls to become future leaders. Drug abuse can derail their dreams, so we partnered with SONT to protect vulnerable girls,” she said. Clark added that her initiative will host a scholarship and skills acquisition programme later this year in celebration of International Girl-Child Day.
Mrs. Chineye Onuoha, a clinical psychologist at Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital, stressed the importance of early intervention to discourage drug use and warned parents against allowing children to attend every event, as experimentation often begins there.
Students also shared what they learned. Esther Smart, a JSS 1 student, said she now knows how to avoid bad company and resist peer pressure. Grace Efemena, another student, learned not to exceed prescribed medication dosages and said she would share the lessons with friends and family to help prevent drug abuse.
