NAWOJ, NGOs take anti-drug campaign to Kano streets

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kano State chapter, on Saturday joined the Coalition of NGOs Against Drug Abuse (CONADA) to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a road walk aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.

The road walk, which began from Maiduguri Road and ended at the Kano State Government House, attracted journalists, civil society organisations, anti-drug advocates and other stakeholders.

Other organisations that participated in the road walk included LESPADA, NACCRAN, YOSPIS, Widi-Jalo Foundation, YAADAI, IYECF, TAFTA, Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, and the Visionary Women for Empowerment and Humanitarian Foundation (VWEHF) among others, demonstrating broad-based support for the campaign against drug abuse.

Speaking with Kano Times during the event, the Chairperson of NAWOJ in Kano State, Bahijja Malam Kabara, called for urgent and collective action to address the rising rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

She described the trend as disturbing, stressing that coordinated efforts were needed to tackle the challenge.

“The rate of substance abuse, particularly among young people, has reached alarming levels and requires urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders,” Kabara said.

She also commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for approving the constitution of a Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, describing the move as a demonstration of his administration’s renewed commitment to tackling the growing menace of substance abuse and drug-related crimes in the state.

Kabara further congratulated Ambassador Maryam Hassan of LESPADA and Hajiya Maryam Ardi Muhammad on their appointments to the Special Task Force, noting that both were selected from the civil society space in recognition of their contributions to the fight against drug abuse.

“We commend Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for constituting the Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. We also congratulate Ambassador Maryam Hassan of LESPADA and Hajiya Maryam Ardi Muhammad on their well-deserved appointments to the committee. Their selection reflects the invaluable contributions of civil society organisations to the campaign against drug abuse and the promotion of safer communities,” she said.

Kabara urged parents, government agencies, religious leaders, schools and community groups to work together to prevent drug abuse and rehabilitate affected persons.

“We must not leave this responsibility to the government alone. Every segment of society has a role to play in protecting our youths from the dangers of illicit drugs,” she added.

She further said sustained public enlightenment campaigns and youth empowerment programmes would help reduce the growing menace of drug abuse across the country.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26. Since 1987, the global event has been marked to strengthen international action and cooperation towards achieving a society free from drug abuse.

Despite global efforts, drug abuse remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, more than 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs, underscoring the need for intensified prevention and intervention programmes.

E-sign:Comrade Maryam Muhammad Yakasai.

Signed:Sayyida Bahijja Malam kabara chairperson Nawoj kano state chapter.