Turning 50 is often a time for personal reflection and celebration but for Engr. Kenny Kadri Edu, it became a powerful platform to ignite change.
EpeInsights reports that rather than mark the milestone with a private party, Edu brought together leaders, educators and youth advocates on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for a public lecture focused on youth drug abuse and healthy living, held at the Epe Local Government Secretariat Hall.
Titled “Reclaiming Our Youths: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Drug Abuse and Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle,” the event underscored one of the most urgent challenges facing Nigerian communities today: the growing crisis of substance abuse among young people.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Oluranti Samuel, a sociologist and acting head of department at Lagos State University, painted a sobering picture.
Drawing on data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and NDLEA, he revealed that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15–64 had used drugs in the past year—nearly triple the global average.
“This is not just a statistic—it’s a national emergency,” Dr. Samuel warned. “Drug use has infiltrated schools, homes, and streets, and we must act now before we lose a generation.”
Dr. Samuel linked the crisis to a complex web of causes—peer pressure, economic instability, family breakdowns, and the absence of adult role models.
He called for a holistic response that includes not just law enforcement, but also education, mentorship, and strong community ties.
That message resonated deeply with other speakers. Barr. Kolawole Amao, a noted education advocate, called for immediate policy action and stronger integration of drug education in schools. “We don’t just need awareness,” he said,
“we need enforceable systems that protect our youth from falling through the cracks.”
Mr. Fowewe Sunday Semeon addressed the deeper societal issues contributing to youth delinquency, from school dropouts to inadequate parental support. “When structure collapses, drugs step in to fill the void,” he said.
The event, moderated by Prince Ademola Adetola, President of the Ejirin Youth Organization, was dynamic and solution-focused, with panelists and attendees agreeing on one point: change must begin at the grassroots.
Representing the Epe Local Government Chairman, the Vice Chairman commended Engr. Edu’s visionary approach to community engagement.
“Leadership like this is rare,” he said. “To use your birthday as a platform for advocacy is both noble and necessary.”
Community elder High Chief Kadri Odedeogboro echoed that sentiment, urging attendees not to let the conversation stop at the event. “Take this message home,” he said. “Make it real in your schools, churches, and compounds.”
In her closing remarks, Engr. Edu shared the deeper purpose behind her choice to mark her 50th birthday this way:
“The greatest gift we can give our youth is not money or material things—it’s guidance, knowledge, and the hope that they can build a better future. That starts by helping them say no to drugs and yes to life.”
The day ended not just with applause, but with a shared commitment—one fueled by data, passion, and the courage of a leader who turned her personal milestone into a moment for public transformation.
