Benin City: TheNigerian Red Cross Society, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), Egor Division, Edo State Branch has ended a two-day inter-school quiz competition for students of selected schools in Benin City. The competition was based on the present school’s curriculum approved by the Edo State government.

Speaking, the Deputy Coordinator, Egor division of Edo Red Cross- Eboigbe Osawonyi Matt, said the program was aimed at sharpening the minds of the young ones, and also affording the students the opportunity to know about the effect of drug abuse.

“The quiz competition covered the students’s academic curriculum, and is aimed at encouraging the students to put more effort in their educational pursuit. As a humanitarian organization, the Nigerian Red Cross has an obligation of educating the people”, Eboigbe Matt said.

Delivering a lecture on the effect of drug abuse, Amb. Ebere Chukwu Odunze called on the students not to bow to peer pressure. He encouraged them to do away with friends with despicable character, saying it’s such friends that often leads one to drug abuse. He said drug abuse has led to the ruin of many students and made many to abort their dreams and became self-alienated.

“The government should ensure that the regulatory and enforcement agencies are up and doing. Even as awareness campaigns are launched, the civil society should be key stakeholders”, he said.

Also speaking, Rhema Ofure Ogbidi, defined drug as any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism’s physiology, psychology when consumed. He said drug has the capacity of changing one’s mental and physical state. He said abnormal use of drugs is what is termed drug abuse.

“People take drugs because of curiosity, peer pressure, effect of drugs in their body, withdrawal syndrome, etc.”, he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant of Egor VAD, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Edo branch, Allinson O. Nafisat enjoyed the students to live a-drug-free-life and concentrate on their studies. She commended the winners of the quiz competition and urged them not to relent on their effort. She however encouraged others not to give up on their zest to win future competitions, saying they may emerge winners in future encounters.

Aguele O. Stephen of the University Preparatory School emerged overall winner of the quiz competition. Others include James Glory Etinosa of AB Education Center (second), and Victor Obaseki of Baptist High School (third).

Speaking with lots of joy and vigour, the overall winner – Aguele Stephen promised not to relent in his studies. He thanked the Egor division of Edo Red Cross for giving him the platform to test his academic prowess.