FEMALE FOOTBALL STAR, OSHOALA PARTNERS LASG ON DRUG ABUSE CAMPAIGN

Asisat Oshoala, the Nigerian Super Falcons football star, who also plays for Dalian Quanjian F.C. in the Chinese Women’s Super League, has identified with the Lagos State Government in its campaign against drug abuse.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri who received Oshoala in his office on Friday during a forum on “Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA)” campaign, said that the State government was more determined than ever to intensify its campaign against all societal ills with the aim of dissuading youths from indulging in these acts.

The Commissioner lamented the increasing rate of drug-intake among school children, teenagers and the youth in general, saying that “drugs have caused a lot of havoc to our society and as government, we will not fold our arms and allow the future of these young ones to be truncated”.

He explained that the choice of the renowned International footballer to be part of the campaign against drug abuse was as a result of her impeccable personality and traits coupled with the fact she was able to make her mark in sports through hard work, having risen from a very humble background.

“Asisat Oshoala is a good role model for the youth. She is of good character standing, reputable and very strategic in leading the charge against drug abuse going by her track records,” the Commissioner asserted.

He also disclosed that that State government will still engage more celebrities of proven integrity similar to that of Oshoala to support the campaign and align with the vision of government to eradicate all forms of vices in the society.

Responding, Oshoala said, “I really appreciate this privilege by the Lagos State Government. As a young girl, I grew up in Mushin and Lagos Island area of Lagos State and because of this, I know what it means to indulge in drugs and I can also speak and relate with these people easily”.

According to her, “The fact is that if these issues are left unattended to, they will come back to hunt us in the nearest future, so the efforts by the State government to increase awareness on the dangers attached to these vices is a good step in the right direction”.

She countered the erroneous views of some youth who believe that the use of drugs would energise them to perform optimally including some upcoming and aspiring footballers and sports enthusiasts.

“In actual sense, the use of drugs reduces the potentials of an athlete. I don’t take drugs. Many youths take all sorts of drugs to energise themselves. This to me is a mere illusion and a deceit. I train every day, I train, I sweat to get to where I am today, there is no other way out”, Oshoala declared.

The Super Falcons star urged youths to desist from drugs and embrace hard work, diligence and maintain a focused lifestyle in order to achieve their dreams and aspirations, stressing that drug abuse was never the way to greatness.