Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

SONT Intensifies campaign against substance abuse through community outreach in Navy Town

 

As part of efforts to curb the rising incidence of substance abuse among youths, the Straight Outta Navy Town (SONT), Lagos Chapter carried out a series of impactful church outreaches, school sensitization programmes, and a community rally within Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

The initiative, which culminated in a well-attended Substance Abuse Awareness Programme, was designed to engage all segments of the community—students, parents, and residents—on the dangers of drug abuse and the need for responsible lifestyle choices.

Church, Mosque and School Outreaches

In the days leading up to the main event, SONT members visited both churches, the Mosque within Navy Town, where awareness messages were shared with congregations, emphasizing moral responsibility, parental guidance, and youth mentorship in combating substance abuse.

 

 

The team also conducted school outreach programmes at Nigerian Navy Secondary School Ojo (NNSS), Navy Officer Wives Association Secondary School (NOWASS) and Navy Town Secondary School (NTSS), engaging students through interactive sessions, education on the effects of drug abuse, and encouraging them to make informed and positive decisions.

These engagements created a direct connection with young people and reinforced the importance of early awareness and prevention.

Community Awareness Rally

A major highlight of the campaign was the street awareness rally, which saw SONT members move from Navy Gate through Mammy Market, actively engaging residents, distributing awareness messages, and creating visibility for the campaign.

The rally attracted attention across the community and served as a strong call to action against substance abuse.

Stakeholder Participation

The programme received strong support from key stakeholders, including:

Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY,

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH), Ojo

and SheSparks Initiative

Their contributions reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing substance abuse challenges.

Planning Committee and Coordination

The initiative was successfully executed through the dedication of the leadership led by the General Coordinator Ayodeji Ogunyemi and the Chairman Planning Committee Ilomeh Victor and also in recognition of all Chapters Coordinators

Lydia Enwere, Franklin Uwaifo, Abalaba Tonbara, Idah Victor, Vanessa Rose Okang and Olagunju Oladele the General Secretary.

Through its church outreaches, school engagements, and community rally, SONT Lagos Chapter demonstrated a holistic and grassroots approach to tackling substance abuse. The association reaffirmed its commitment to continuous advocacy, youth development, and community impact.