By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) has formally launched its 2025 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition in Abuja, with a strong call on students to embrace sports and resist the lure of substance abuse.
Declaring the event open, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said the competition, themed “Live Free, Stay Clean”, is a deliberate sports-based drug abuse prevention programme aimed at guiding secondary school students to live healthier, drug-free lives. The four-week initiative will feature weekly sporting activities every Thursday and will climax with a grand finale on 16 October 2025.
Mrs Musa expressed deep concern over the growing rate of substance abuse among teenagers, citing the easy accessibility of cannabis, codeine, inhalants, and other psychoactive substances. She explained that peer pressure, misinformation, and socio-economic challenges often drive young people into drug use, which puts their health and future at risk.
“As a society, we have a responsibility to protect, guide, and support our children so they can safely navigate adolescence and emerge in good health,” she said. “Sports remain a vital tool for shaping young lives, as they instill teamwork, leadership, resilience, perseverance, and self-discipline.”
The DEPOWA President applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign and rehabilitation efforts, noting that the agency has rehabilitated more than 3,453 individuals across 30 centres nationwide. She further acknowledged the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her motherly guidance and inspiration, and expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, alongside the Service Chiefs and sister associations NAOWA, NOWA, NAFOWA, and POWA for their steadfast support.
In his goodwill message, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended DEPOWA for using sports as a vehicle to combat drug abuse. He described the initiative as timely and visionary, stressing that drug abuse remains one of the greatest threats to the future of Nigeria’s youth.
“Drug abuse destroys ambition, extinguishes hope, and robs young people of the bright future that rightfully belongs to them. It is not just an individual tragedy; it is a national loss,” Marwa stated.
He urged parents to pay closer attention to their children, never to ignore warning signs, and to consider acquiring drug test kits for early detection. He also advised schools to establish drug-free clubs and pledged NDLEA’s support in sensitising young people across the country. “To our dear students, remember that saying no to drugs is saying yes to your future,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lead Facilitator of the programme, Mr. David Folaranmi, educated the students on the dangers of substance abuse, emphasising the importance of awareness, discipline, and informed decision-making. He encouraged the participants to view sports not just as recreation but as a pathway to resilience, good health, and a brighter future.
The launch attracted wide institutional and corporate support, with contributions from organisations including the Abdulsamad Rabiu Initiative, Coca-Cola Checkers, Future International Initiative, ODA, Live Free Renewal Centre, David Falaremi Foundation, and One Boss Foundation, among others.
The 2025 DEPOWA Inter-Schools Sports Competition is expected to inspire students to adopt healthier lifestyles, promote discipline and sportsmanship, and reinforce the national campaign against drug abuse among young people.
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