kakalistiq.com on a spirited Saturday morning, November 2nd, 2024, the streets of Epe came alive with youthful energy as the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Epe Branch, led by Comrade Ibrahim Moibi, hosted an Awareness Walk under the banner Walk for Life “From Awareness to Action – Youth for Change.” This event marked a significant part of the National Youth Day celebrations, igniting hope for a future free of social vices.
Participants from various youth organizations streamed into the town’s main roads, rallying against issues plaguing their community, particularly drug abuse. The scene was electrified with determination, banners waving high, and the steady march of hundreds demanding change.
Speaking to the press amidst the spirited gathering, Comrade Ibrahim Moibi underscored the importance of continuous education and action in guiding the youth away from dangerous behaviors. “This walk isn’t just a gesture; it’s a call to arms for the youth of Epe to rise against the tide of drug abuse and social decay. We must not only talk about change – we must lead it,” Moibi declared passionately.
He further noted the wider impact of their initiative. “Beyond the issue of drug abuse, today is a reminder that young people hold the future of our society in their hands. It is our collective duty to stand as examples and push for a safer, vice-free community,” he added.
Pastor Nelson Albert, a respected community leader, echoed these sentiments while highlighting the urgent need for awareness in the current climate. “Our environment and nation are facing troubling times,” Pastor Albert remarked. “When you look around, you see 13 and 14-year-olds already pregnant or boys at the same age chain-smoking. This is why initiatives like this walk are crucial—to pull our young ones from the brink.”
Meanwhile, Comrade Ogunsanwo Ibrahim, the Lagos State Treasurer of the National Youth Council, took the opportunity to address the long-term effects of harmful habits. “My message to our youth is simple: the harmful substances you indulge in may not show their effects now, but in the future, they will. And when that time comes, many will look for someone to blame—be it a stepmother or some imagined enemy. It’s best to quit while you can,” he advised solemnly.
The event saw other notable participants such as Comrade Giwa Moshood (GMO) raising their voices to emphasize the significance of strong family and community support. “Parents must be proactive in guiding their children and noticing changes in behavior. And if parents see anything concerning, they must notify the authorities before it’s too late.”
Comrade Ladele Ismail, Senior Special Assistant to Epe Local Government Chairman on Special Duties echoes the sentiments of Comrade Yemisi Alonge, the NYCN Deputy Coordinator highlighting the destructive outcomes of other societal issues like cultism and prostitution. “We need our young women to stay clear of the traps of prostitution because the consequences are dire. As for cultism, it’s a road that only leads to pain and chaos in our community,” a youth leader pointed out, urging collective vigilance.
The walk wound its way from the Epe LG Secretariat, Ita-Marun, through notable community landmarks including Oke-Balogun, Oluwo Market, Ayetoro, Lagos Road, General Hospital Road and concluded at Epe Recreation Center. Along the journey, chants calling for a brighter future resonated through the streets, touching both the young and the elderly who watched on, inspired.
By the end of the event, one message was clear: Epe’s youth are ready to step into leadership roles and drive the change necessary for a prosperous, vice-free society.
