Being driven by a core requirement of the fellowship on civic engagement, the initiative “Kicking Against Drug Abuse, Building Responsible Youths” was held on 20th September, 2025, in Karu, Abuja. The activity engaged 64 direct participants and over 120 indirect beneficiaries, including families, friends, and community members.
Objective of the Activity
Drug abuse has silently become one of the greatest threats to the future of young people in Nigeria. Beyond its health dangers, it erodes dreams, destroys families, and weakens communities. Recognizing this urgency, the initiative was designed to use the universal language of football to confront the menace head-on. The goal was to raise awareness about drug abuse, promote responsible citizenship, and inspire a movement for drug-free living among young people in Karu.
Key Outcomes
On that Saturday, Karu came alive with the sound of cheers, goals, and an undeniable sense of unity. A vibrant football tournament involving 9 youth teams brought young people together in the spirit of competition, but with a deeper mission, to kick against drug abuse.
Between matches, participants engaged in awareness talks, where candid conversations unfolded on the dangers of drug abuse, its ripple effects on families and communities, and the pathways to living drug-free. The most powerful moments came from the youths themselves: some bravely shared testimonies of peers struggling with addiction, while others revealed personal attempts to quit drugs. Several participants approached organizers quietly, seeking help for themselves or friends, a sign that the initiative had struck a deeply personal chord.
Prizes and awards for outstanding teams added excitement, yet the true victory was seeing football become more than a game. It became a bridge—connecting young people to healthier choices and to a shared vision of a future free from drugs.
Lessons Learnt
The initiative left behind strong lessons:
- Football breaks barriers. It created a safe, unifying space for dialogue on a sensitive issue.
- There is a hunger for help. Many youth battling addiction lack access to counseling or resources.
- Peer influence is powerful. The same influence that lures youth into drug abuse can be redirected for positive change.
Recommendations: To build momentum, the initiative should partner with health agencies and NGOs to provide counselling, host regular tournaments for ongoing engagement, and establish peer-support clubs where young people can lead sustained anti-drug campaigns.
Next Steps
The campaign will not end with this single event. The vision is to:
- Create a peer advocacy network within Karu’s football teams, positioning players as role models against drug abuse.
- Host quarterly follow-up tournaments paired with mentorship sessions to strengthen accountability and sustain the message.
- Seek funding and partnerships to replicate the model in other Abuja communities, amplifying its reach.
- Establish referral pathways to connect addicted youths with professionals and support systems that can help them rebuild their lives.
On 20th September, 2025, football became more than a sport in Karu, it became a rallying cry. Every kick of the ball carried a message of hope: the youth of Karu are choosing responsibility, resilience, and a drug-free future.
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