The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olamilekan Dauda (AKOD), has urged youths in the council area to shun drug abuse, cultism and other social vices, describing them as valuable assets to Nigeria’s development.
Dauda made the call on Monday, August 17, 2026, while leading members of the executive, legislature, management staff and Ikeja youths on a solidarity and fitness walk to mark the commencement of activities for his first anniversary in office.
The campaign walk, organised by Ikeja Local Government in collaboration with the National Youth Council, also commemorated International Youth Day.
Speaking during the event, Dauda commended Nigerian youths for their dedication, commitment and resilience in contributing to national development. He said the initiative was designed to celebrate and support young people while sensitising them to the dangers of drug abuse, cultism and other forms of social vices.
According to him, youths should reject the notion that illicit drugs provide a shortcut to success, urging them instead to embrace education, technology, vocational training and skills acquisition.
“Nigerian youths are valuable assets for development and must not be deceived into believing that illicit drug abuse is a shortcut to success,” the chairman said.
He stressed that the fight against drug abuse should not be left to government alone, noting that parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers and community leaders all have important roles to play in preventing substance abuse and guiding young people toward productive lives.
Dauda also highlighted some of the achievements of his administration in the past year, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth development and empowerment.
He disclosed that the council had introduced various intervention programmes aimed at engaging youths positively and keeping them away from drugs and other social vices. These include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, vocational training and skills-acquisition programmes.
The chairman reiterated his administration’s commitment to building on its achievements and improving its performance in the years ahead.
The first anniversary activities will continue in the coming days with the commissioning of various projects and the distribution of food palliatives to residents of Ikeja Local Government.
