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Obasanjo Shares How He Almost Fell Into Drug Addiction
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria has opened up about how he came dangerously close to becoming addicted to drugs in his youth.
He shared this personal revelation in Abeokuta while addressing attendees at the second edition of the ‘Fly Above The High’ anti-drug campaign conference.
The event was organized by the Recovery Advocacy Network, a group committed to combating the growing menace of drug abuse in the country.
Reflecting on his past, Obasanjo revealed that his youthful experimentation with smoking led to a troubling period of chronic coughing.
According to him, what seemed like a harmless act at first could have easily spiraled into a full-blown addiction had he not stopped.
Sharing this personal struggle, he warned young Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and emphasized its destructive nature.
He noted that while drug users might initially believe substances provide an escape or enhancement, they ultimately lead to ruin.
He further explained that addiction is not just difficult to escape but often comes with long-lasting consequences.
“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted,” he said, stressing that once a person falls into the trap of substance abuse, it becomes an uphill battle to break free.
Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the rising rates of drug abuse among Nigerians, particularly among students and young people.
He pointed out that drug abuse is not just a Nigerian problem but a growing crisis across West Africa.
He recalled that over a decade ago, West Africa was already becoming a hub for drug consumption, and the situation has since deteriorated.
“Whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa,” he added.
The former president also touched on the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding addiction.
He emphasized that those struggling with addiction need help and support rather than judgment.
Obasanjo urged families, communities, and governments to work together to create an environment where individuals battling addiction can seek help without fear of condemnation.
The anti-drug campaign in Abeokuta was part of a larger effort by the Recovery Advocacy Network to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and provide resources for those affected.
The initiative also aims to educate young people on the importance of making informed decisions and staying away from substances that could jeopardize their future.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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