By Felix Mbata, Lagos State
Traditional authority stepped to the frontline of civic advocacy on Friday, 26th June, 2026 as His Highness, Eze Ambassador Dr. Tony Greg Anosike, Royal Father of the Day, led stakeholders in a united charge to stop drug abuse and protect Nigeria’s future. At the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation’s 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Police College, Ikeja, the monarch declared that the palace must no longer stand aside while drugs destroy the youth. “Where tradition speaks, vice retreats. Where rulers lead, communities are secured,” he said, setting the tone for a day of advocacy, awareness, and collective action.
A Call to Conscience, Not Ceremony
Opening with deep respect, Eze Anosike acknowledged the Chief Host and Founder, distinguished guests, security representatives, community and faith leaders, educators, parents, and the “vibrant and promising youths” at the heart of the day. He greeted all in peace and in the spirit of unity and collective responsibility.
Describing his role as both an honor and a duty, the Royal Father said the day is not a mere ceremony but a global call to conscience. “The survival of any society depends on the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual well-being of its youths. When drugs destroy the youth, the future of the nation is destroyed silently, gradually, and dangerously,” he declared.
He reminded the gathering that traditional rulers are custodians of culture, morality, and discipline, entrusted by ancestors to protect society’s moral fabric.
Exposing the Silent Epidemic
Dr. Anosike described drug abuse and illicit trafficking as one of the most dangerous social epidemics of our time — a silent destroyer that spares no class or community. “What begins as experimentation often ends in addiction. What begins as curiosity often ends in captivity. What begins as peer pressure often ends in regret, incarceration, or even death,” he warned.
He linked the crisis to rising youth restlessness, violence, academic failure, school dropouts, broken families, mental health disorders, cybercrime, armed robbery, and the loss of productive manpower. “These are not abstract statistics; they are painful realities in our villages, towns, and cities. Drug abuse destroys individuals, weakens communities, and threatens national security,” he stated.
Diagnosing the Causes
Speaking as a traditional ruler who has witnessed societal change, Eze Anosike outlined the drivers of youth drug abuse: unemployment and idleness, peer pressure and the need to “belong,” breakdown of family values, lack of awareness, mental health struggles, and the increasing availability of dangerous substances. “These causes remind us that the solution must be collective, deliberate, and sustained,” he said.
Traditional Institutions as the First Line of Defense
He emphasized that traditional institutions are closest to the people and must lead moral formation. “As rulers, we must strengthen community sensitization, work with law enforcement to identify drug hotspots, counsel youths, support rehabilitation and reintegration, and engage parents in responsible upbringing. Our palaces must be centres not only of culture but of moral formation,” he stated.
A Fatherly Charge to the Youth
Speaking directly to young people, Dr. Anosike adopted a tone of care, not condemnation. “Avoid drugs. Avoid substances that promise pleasure but deliver pain. Avoid friends who lead you away from your destiny,” he urged.
“Your body is your first wealth. Your mind is your greatest asset. Your future is more valuable than momentary pleasure. No successful future is built on addiction. No great destiny is achieved in bondage.”
He charged youths to choose discipline over destruction and purpose over pleasure, noting that their talents are needed in nation-building, entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and creativity. “Do not trade your future for substances that will destroy it,” he said.
Government, Families, and Faith Leaders Must Act
The monarch called for stronger drug enforcement by NDLEA and sister agencies, expansion of rehabilitation centers, school-based drug education, job creation and youth empowerment, community mental health support, and stricter penalties for traffickers.
He also urged families to be vigilant and intentional, and religious leaders to provide moral and spiritual grounding. “A strong family produces a strong child. A morally grounded child produces a stable society,” he said.
Commending Chioma Ajunwa Foundation
Eze Anosike specially commended the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation for sustaining the initiative. “By organizing this event, you are raising awareness and contributing to the preservation of lives and the protection of our future generation. Your efforts reflect true patriotism and social responsibility. May this foundation continue to grow from strength to strength in service of humanity,” he prayed.
Closing with a national charge, Dr. Tony Greg Anosike said, “A drug-free youth is a powerful youth. A disciplined youth is a nation’s pride. A focused youth is a nation’s future.” He urged government, traditional institutions, civil society, parents, religious leaders, and youths to rise together to defeat drug abuse and illicit trafficking. “Let us build a society where dreams are nurtured, youths are empowered, hope is restored, and futures are secured. May God bless our youths.
May God bless our communities. May God bless our nation.”