By Dorcas Achi
The Oteji Foundation for Substance Abuse Prevention and Awareness is set to be officially unveiled in Imo State on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Rock View Hotel, Owerri, as part of efforts to combat the rising cases of drug and substance abuse among young people.
The event is expected to bring together critical stakeholders, government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, teachers, students and youth organizations to deliberate on the rising scourge of substance abuse and chart sustainable pathways to eradicate it from communities across the state and beyond.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri ahead of the unveiling, the Chairman of the Foundation, Barrister Oteji Ezera Agwu, a renowned legal practitioner specializing in Criminal and Civil Litigation, expressed worry over the alarming rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
According to her, the establishment of the foundation was necessitated by first-hand experiences in the courtroom and in communities where substance abuse has fueled crime, violence, cultism, and the collapse of family values.
Her words, “The decision to start the Oteji Foundation for Substance Abuse Prevention and Awareness was born out of a deep concern about the growing problem of substance abuse in our society, particularly among young people,”
“As a legal practitioner, I have had the opportunity to see, either directly or indirectly, how substance abuse contributes to the destruction of lives, families, and communities. I have encountered situations where young people who should ordinarily be building their future became involved in crime, violence, cultism, and other destructive activities, with substance abuse often playing a significant role in the background.”
She noted that prevention, awareness, public enlightenment, rehabilitation, counselling, support and advocacy will form the core pillars of the foundation’s work.
Barr. Oteji emphasized that the fight against substance abuse cannot be won by government alone, stressing the need for a multi-sectoral approach that involves parents, schools, faith-based organizations, traditional institutions, and youth groups.
She extended an open invitation to stakeholders across Imo State and Nigeria to partner with the foundation.
“We are calling on government officials, religious bodies, traditional rulers, educators, and youth organizations to come into synergy with the Oteji Foundation. It will take all hands on deck to wage a decisive war against substance abuse and restore hope to our young people,” she said.
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