Nigerian Entertainment Today (Netng) has announced a partnership with MTN, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications company, on MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (MTN ASAP), in commemoration of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day) which takes place on June 25, 2021.
Launched in December 2018, MTN ASAP is a multi-stakeholder intervention aimed at increasing awareness of substance abuse and addiction among youths. The intervention also seeks to discourage first-time users from taking the first step to possible addiction.
In Nigeria, drug abuse is on the rise, and is rapidly becoming a major health concern. According to the 2018 UNODC (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime) report, about 14.3 million Nigerians (aged 15-64) abuse drugs by using them without prescription, and nearly 3 million Nigerians are currently addicted to at least one harmful drug.
In the last three years, MTN (through the ASAP campaign) has taken concrete steps to stem this dangerous tide. In 2019, the initiative took its campaign to secondary schools across the country to have open discussions about the harmful effects of drug abuse. The campaign, which made use of drama presentations and panel discussions to drive home its message, was successfully implemented in five states – Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Rivers and Imo State – and reached over 65,000 people.
In 2020, MTN hosted the Drug Convos, a virtual event that involved inspired conversations on the subject of drug addiction and drug abuse. The Drug Convos, moderated by actress and presenter Folu Storms, featured award-winning recording artiste Praiz, comedian Chinedu “Nedu” Emmanuel, and music artiste David Jones David.
This year, Netng and MTN ASAP are collaborating once again to push conversations aimed at the prevention of drug abuse. As a leading voice in Nigerian pop culture and the number one source of entertainment for young people, Netng will leverage its digital channels and social media platforms to create awareness on the dangers of substance abuse, while also driving advocacy and engagement among young Nigerians.
In commemoration of the 2021 World Drug Day, MTN ASAP is hosting a webinar on June 25, 2021. The webinar, themed “Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives”, will feature intense conversations and a panel discussion on drug abuse prevention to be moderated by music artiste and anti-abuse campaigner David Jones David. Some of the keynote speakers at this year’s panel include: Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation; Tony Rapu, Senior Pastor, House of Freedom; Bada Akintunde-Johnson, Country Manager, ViacomCBS Africa; Maymunah Kadiri, founder, Pinnacle Medical Services; Oliver Stolpe, Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and Olawale Eso, a young Nigerian recovering from drug abuse.
The webinar will also feature a documentary video on substance abuse, as well as live performances from MTN Y’ello Star winner Dotti and serial hitmaker Joeboy.
Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman of MTN Foundation, speaking on the importance of the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) says, “The purpose of our effort is to stimulate discourse among thought leaders and policymakers from different walks of life, to bring us much closer towards our goal of freeing our future leaders from the evil attraction of drugs and possible addiction to opioids.”
Femi Falodun, CEO of ID Africa (owners of Netng) says, “These conversations couldn’t have come at a better time. There is an increasing need to create awareness and educate young people on the dangers of substance abuse. We are glad to be partnering with MTN once again on this brilliant initiative.”
Other organisations partnering with MTN ASAP for this event include MTV Base, Hip TV, Business Day, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Click here to register for this ground-breaking event.
