Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to cleanse the youth population of the state of destructive tendencies, declaring that government remains committed to steering young people away from actions capable of jeopardising their future and instead positioning them for meaningful opportunities across sectors both within Nigeria and globally.
The Governor made this known in Efon-Alaaye during a major public health and social development outreach that brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders determined to confront the growing menace of substance abuse and its far reaching consequences on families and communities.
Represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, the Governor explained that his administration’s intervention reflects a holistic governance approach that recognises the interconnectedness of public health, economic productivity, community security, and social stability, stressing that substance abuse has continued to exert a ripple effect across critical sectors, undermining personal safety, weakening family structures, and diminishing the mental wellbeing of citizens, thereby necessitating urgent and coordinated responses that cut across institutional boundaries.
The outreach, held at the King’s Palace Town Hall in Efon-Alaaye, was jointly organised by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olapeju Babafemi, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata. It was designed as a multi dimensional intervention that blends awareness creation with practical health services, while also facilitating dialogue among key actors whose roles are essential in addressing the complexities surrounding substance abuse in contemporary society.
The programme, themed “The Ills of Substance Abuse on Families and Communities,” attracted a wide cross section of stakeholders, including representatives of government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the media and other participants drawn from different segments of the community, including youths, artisans, transport workers, traders, civil servants, and traditional leaders, all of whom converged with a shared sense of urgency and expectation where series of health related activities, including the administration of deworming tablets and urine toxicology screening were available to willing participants as part of the effort to provide immediate and tangible medical support to attendees.
In his keynote remarks delivered through his Chief of Staff, Governor Oyebanji emphasised that his administration’s shared prosperity agenda is not a mere slogan but a practical framework that seeks to address the root causes of low productivity across the state. He noted that substance abuse constitutes a major impediment to human capital development, as it erodes the capacity of individuals to contribute meaningfully to society, while also placing significant strain on families and public institutions.
Consequently, the Governor commended the organisers of the outreach for their foresight and dedication, urging other government officials and stakeholders to replicate similar initiatives across communities in the state.
He maintained that sustained engagement at the grassroots level remains essential in achieving lasting behavioural change, particularly among young people who are often the most vulnerable to the lure of substance use.
Delivering her welcome address, Mrs Babafemi highlighted the central role of the family as the first line of defence against substance abuse, stressing that the erosion of moral and social values often begins within the household. She argued that strengthening family structures through education, support systems, and value reorientation is critical to reversing the trend and building resilient communities.
Babafemi further described the outreach as a timely intervention aligned with the people centred policies of the Oyebanji administration, noting that investments in human capital development must necessarily prioritise the wellbeing of families pointing out that substance abuse continues to cut across age groups and social classes, thereby reinforcing the need for preventive strategies that are both inclusive and sustainable.
She also drew attention to the broader national context, referencing the declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu designating 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development. According to her, this policy direction highlights the importance of placing families at the centre of development planning, as stable households serve as the foundation for national productivity and social cohesion.
Expanding on the health implications of substance abuse, Babafemi explained that the misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs often results in severe physical and mental health challenges, including addiction, depression, and cognitive impairment. She added that beyond individual suffering, the consequences extend to broken homes, disrupted education, and increased crime rates, thereby posing a significant threat to community stability.
She therefore called on individuals struggling with addiction to seek professional help, emphasising that recovery is not only possible but achievable through structured counselling, medical treatment, and sustained support. In her view, the role of government must be complemented by the active involvement of families and communities in creating environments that discourage substance abuse and promote healthy living.
Building on these perspectives, the Attorney General Mr Dayo Apata approached the issue from a legal and institutional standpoint, stressing the importance of enforcing drug control laws while also addressing systemic factors that contribute to substance dependence. He maintained that the justice system has a crucial role to play in regulating the availability of illicit substances and ensuring accountability among offenders.
However, Apata cautioned against an over reliance on punitive measures, arguing that enforcement must be complemented by preventive education and rehabilitation programmes that tackle the root causes of addiction. He identified poverty, unemployment, and social dislocation as key drivers of substance abuse, noting that failure to address these underlying issues would limit the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
He further emphasised that addiction should be treated as a public health concern rather than solely a criminal issue, advocating for a more compassionate approach that prioritises rehabilitation and reintegration. According to him, individuals struggling with substance dependence require access to structured support systems that enable them to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
Apata also called for enhanced collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organisations, stressing that a multi sectoral approach is essential in addressing the complexity of substance abuse. He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society actors to take ownership of the campaign, noting that sustainable change must be driven from within communities.
The goodwill messages that followed added further depth to the discourse, with the Alaaye of Efon-Alaaye, Emmanuel Aladejare, emphasising the cultural and moral dimensions of the crisis. He called on traditional institutions to reinforce values that discourage substance abuse, while also pledging continued support for initiatives aimed at safeguarding the wellbeing of young people.
Similarly, the Chairman of Efon Local Government, Segun Afolalu, and representatives of the Efon Development League Mr Kola Ajumobi who highlighted the importance of grassroots mobilisation in combating the menace, noted that effective intervention must be rooted in community specific realities.
Mr Segun Afolalu who narrated his personal experience advocated for the establishment of local monitoring mechanisms that can identify at risk individuals and provide timely support before addiction takes hold. Community leaders including Chief Mrs Ronke Okunsanya, Mrs Bsede Olowookere among others advocated for local monitoring systems capable of identifying at risk individuals and providing timely assistance.
Contributions from leaders including the Head of Service Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, the Permanent Secretary Cabinet and service matter Mrs Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, Representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies also contributed to the discussion, drawing attention to operational challenges such as limited resources and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. They called for increased funding and improved coordination to strengthen ongoing efforts against substance abuse.
The technical sessions of the programme featured presentations by experts in medicine and behavioural health, beginning with a clinical psychologis Dr Dotun Ajiboye, who provided an in depth analysis of how alcohol and psychoactive substances affect brain function and behaviour. He explained that prolonged use often leads to dependency, impaired judgement, and emotional instability.
Ajiboye further explored the social consequences of addiction, noting that substance abuse frequently results in domestic conflict, neglect, and economic hardship, thereby creating a cycle that perpetuates vulnerability. He emphasised the importance of early intervention and psychological support in breaking this cycle.
The second session, led by an addiction physician Dr Abayomi Oshatimi, focused on the clinical management of addiction, highlighting the need for structured treatment approaches that combine detoxification, therapy, and medication where necessary. He stressed that recovery is a gradual process that requires patience and sustained support.
Oshatimi also highlight the need to expand access to rehabilitation services, particularly at the community level, while advocating for efforts to reduce stigma associated with addiction. He noted that many individuals are reluctant to seek help due to fear of discrimination, thereby exacerbating the problem.
In the final session, Prof Deji Ajayi, a gastroenterologist examined the physiological impact of substance abuse, particularly on the liver and digestive system, warning that excessive consumption can lead to life threatening conditions such as cirrhosis and organ failure. He stressed that prevention remains the most effective strategy in addressing the crisis.
Interactive segments, including a question and answer session, allowed participants to engage directly with the experts, sharing experiences and seeking clarification on issues affecting their communities. This exchange fostered a deeper understanding of the problem and reinforced the collective commitment to finding solutions.
The programme also featured the distribution of palliatives as part of the organisers’ holistic approach in combining awareness with tangible support for participants. This gesture resonated with attendees, many of whom expressed appreciation for the comprehensive nature of the programmes