Prominent anti-drug ambassador and community leader, Chief Abiodun Lasile has urged global policymakers to fundamentally shift their approach toward proactive community education.

This was contained in a statement released on Friday, against the backdrop of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This year’s global campaign is themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” and carries the direct rallying cry “Break the Cycle.”

Global leaders and communities are uniting to observe World Drug Day 2026 under a newly issued directive to heavily fund early intervention strategies rather than relying solely on law enforcement.

Chief Lasile, who is the Orunto Baalufe of Owu Kingdom, emphasized that pouring resources into youth development, mental health services, and family support systems is vastly more cost-effective and successful than attempting to treat addiction after it takes root.

“The evidence is indeed clear. Prevention is not only less costly than treatment—it is more effective. Every investment in education, family support, youth development, mental health services, and community awareness reduces the risk of substance abuse and strengthens the resilience of society.”

The traditional leader warned that illicit trafficking networks actively exploit vulnerable populations, destabilizing cross-border economies and fracturing the rule of law when local communities lack resilience.

While praising security agencies for directly confronting organized crime syndicates, Orunto Lasile noted that enforcement cannot succeed without simultaneously dismantling the social vulnerabilities that drive demand.

“As an Ambassador of WADA, I believe our response must extend beyond enforcement alone. While law enforcement agencies deserve our support for confronting traffickers and criminal syndicates, we must also tackle the social conditions that make individuals vulnerable to addiction. Prevention must become our first and strongest line of defence.”

The address uniquely highlighted the power of cultural institutions, calling on traditional and faith leaders to utilize long-standing community values to teach discipline and insulate the younger generation from exploitation.

Addressing parents and guardians directly, the ambassador stressed that consistent, approachable parental guidance serves as one of the single most effective shields against early substance abuse.

The global appeal concluded with a strong demand for governments to completely replace societal stigma and exclusion with robust rehabilitation access, mental health infrastructure, and economic empowerment.

Comrade Kunle Sodipo, popularly known as CKS, has launched a powerful new book titled “My Take” to help inspire citizens and fix the challenges facing Nigeria.

The book launch, held at the NUJ Secretariat, on Thursday, turned into an urgent call for youth reformation and a return to a strong reading culture.

Written by an experienced writer with over 200 global articles to his name, “My Take” looks at Nigeria’s issues in governance, economy, and culture.

Comrade Sodipo explained that his travels through Africa and Europe opened his eyes to how critical citizens are to building a great nation. 

Instead of just criticizing the government, his book offers practical solutions to make Nigeria economically sound, safe, and well-respected globally.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Kola Adesina, Head of Mass Communication Department at Crescent University, Abeokuta, praised the book.

He warned that social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, along with AI, are destroying the attention span and brainpower of young people.

Dr Adesina urged parents and schools to bring back moral education and the humanities, reminding youths that success requires hard work and reading, not instant gratification.

“My Take” is not a boring textbook, but a deeply personal and honest look at national life, inspired by the author’s father who always believed “Nigeria go better”.

It is a must-read for every Nigerian who wants to understand their role in moving the country forward.

Beyond writing and public speaking, Kunle Sodipo’s track record in Community Service through the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) stands him out amongst his peers as a standout social activist.

The book launch commanded the presence of friends, colleagues and associates from all walks of life.

It was a weekend of nostalgia, reflection, and renewed commitment as the 1971-1975 set of Saint Peter’s College, Abeokuta, gathered for a three-day milestone event tagged “Reunion 50+1.”

The program, which concluded on Sunday, May 10, 2026, brought together classmates who have shared a bond for over 56 years, dating back to their entry into the then-all-boys institution.

The festivities reached a spiritual climax during a thanksgiving mass held at Saint John Catholic Church, Lafenwa.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Father Eric Olatunji, commended the septuagenarians for their enduring brotherhood.

In his homily, he urged the younger generation of Nigerians to emulate such spirits by identifying with their roots and consistently giving back to their alma mater.

Father Olatunji further enjoined the “Old Boys” to sustain their commonality, emphasizing that collective action is the most effective tool for personal development and the progress of their historic school.

On Saturday, the members returned to the hallowed grounds of Saint Peter’s College.

The visit served as a sobering reminder of the passage of time; the alumni observed that several school structures were in urgent need of intervention following damages caused by recent rainstorms in the Abeokuta metropolis.

Beyond inspecting the infrastructure, the set engaged in a mentorship session with current students, sharing professional insights and strategies for achieving academic excellence.

A major highlight of the visit was a lecture titled “Time is Life,” delivered by a member of the set, Deacon ‘Dara Adebimpe, a veteran journalist and peace scholar.

Deacon Adebimpe advised the students on how best to utilize the time available to them, pointing out that time is a progressive, irreplaceable, and non-renewable commodity that never moves backward.

The event was well-attended by prominent figures, including the Principals of both the Senior and Junior Schools, the National President of the Old Students Association, Elder Tunde Oyenekan, and several members of his executive committee.

The social segment of the program featured a lavish buffet dinner at the Academy Suites, Abeokuta, where members were joined by their spouses.

During the reunion plenary session, the set took far-reaching decisions aimed at improving the welfare of their classmates and executing developmental projects for the college.

Saint Peter’s College holds a storied place in Ogun State’s educational history, as it was one of only two boys’ secondary schools in Abeokuta, before it was converted into a co-educational school in 1980 under the civilian administration of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.