Kano partners MTN in fight against substance abuse

Kano state government in collaboration with mobile telecommunications provider, MTN Nigeria has entered into a partnership on how to tackle substance abuse among youth and other addicts in the state.

Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

According to her, health experts and partner organisations led by MTN Nigeria have concluded the pilot phase of the multi-stakeholders intervention in the fight against substance abuse among youth in the country.

She added that after seven months of multiple hard-hitting on-ground activities in Abuja, Lagos, Imo, Rivers, and Bauchi states, the first phase of the widely successful multi-stakeholder anti-substance abuse programme ended in Kano state on Friday.

“After embarking on this project that has taken us through various nooks and crannies of the country, and listening to feedback from thousands of young students and volunteers, it has become apparent that our mission has only just begun.

“For the millions of young Nigerians on the verge of the decision on first-time drug-use, we will continue this campaign aimed at dissuading them.

“We are humbled by what we have all been able to achieve with the pilot and are expectant for the millions that will be reached in subsequent phases,” she said.

Ugboma said the programme which was geared towards combating increasing rate of first-time drug-use among young Nigerians was built on a multi-sectoral approach.

She added that it amassed a network of stakeholder organisations spanning non-profit organisations, regulatory agencies, professional associations, advocacy champions and individual experts, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Christians Against Drug Abuse Mission (CADAM) and Freedom Foundation.

She said that during a courtesy visit by MTN anti-substance abuse programme team to the Government House, the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, commended the efforts of the MTN foundation in the fight against substance abuse.

“I want to thank MTN foundation; we see all the good works they have been doing. It is truly commendable, especially against substance abuse and wellness of communities with the ‘what can we do together’ initiative.

“The government of Kano is not also sitting back with this menace of substance abuse. We are already working towards setting up an agency to look into substance abuse and we will very much like to work with MTN on this important project.

“There is so much we can achieve if we collaborate. We have a huge problem on our hands, but I am confident we can defeat this problem, especially when corporations become more aware and responsible just like MTN has done,” she quoted the deputy governor as saying.

She said that millions of young Nigerians have been inspired by the programme’s multi-faceted approach that includes direct engagement, digital empowerment, stakeholder collaboration and media advocacy.

“Following activations in over 125 secondary schools, 16 tertiary institutions, 30 motor parks and markets, influencer workshops, plans are being implemented for an even more targeted second phase.

“This is expected to continue to affect wide-sweeping changes in various states in Nigeria,” Ugboma said.