The Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, has emphasised the pivotal role of entrepreneurship and employability in addressing the pervasive issues of cultism, cybercrime, and drug abuse among the youth.
Speaking at a one-day summit organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Edo State Axis at the University of Benin, the commander highlighted the pressing need for innovative solutions to these social vices that have increasingly affected the younger generations.
Ofoyeju was presented an Icon of Hope award at the event where he made a presentation on the topic “Entrepreneurship and Employability as a Major Tool in Combating Cultism, Cybercrime, and Drug Abuse”. The award by the student body was in recognition of the admirable achievements and contributions of the NDLEA to youth development in Edo State.
He underscored the significance of surmounting the challenges of cultism, cybercrime and drug abuse in Edo State. He noted that many young individuals resort to these detrimental behaviours due to peer pressure, poor parenting, wrong association and ignorance. “Entrepreneurship is a transformative tool that can empower our youth, provide them with necessary skills, and ultimately reduce their engagement in harmful activities,” Mitchell stated. He urged students to channel their creativity and innovative ideas into entrepreneurial ventures that can contribute positively to society.
The NDLEA Commander outlined various support systems available for aspiring entrepreneurs, including government initiatives like Edo Youth Impact Forum, Edo State Project SHINE, non-governmental organisations, and academic partnerships aimed at fostering a culture of business development within the community. He emphasised the importance of programmes that equip students with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the competitive job market.
Highlighting real-life success stories of young entrepreneurs who overcame adversity, Mitchell inspired the students to pursue their passions while remaining vigilant against the allure of crime and drug abuse. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to working with educational institutions to promote awareness and prevention strategies.
“We must create an environment where our youth see entrepreneurship as a viable path to success rather than falling prey to cultism and drug abuse. It is imperative that we all play our parts as students, educators, parents, and leaders to foster a brighter future for this generation,” he added.
The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session, where students actively engaged with the commander, seeking advice on launching their entrepreneurial endeavours and discussing the societal implications of drug abuse and cybercrime.
The event, organised by the student union, is laudable and received positive feedback from attendees who expressed a renewed sense of purpose in championing social change as students. Equipping the youth with the tools for entrepreneurship and employability can be a formidable strategy in combating these societal vices.
