BENIN CITY – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in collaboration with the Edo State Government, has held the maiden edition of the Okpebholo and Marwa Mini-Marathon Against Drug Abuse for secondary school students in Benin City.
The initiative, aimed at raising awareness among young people on the dangers of drug abuse and promoting a drug-free society, began and ended at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road, with participants running through the Kings Square axis.
Students from Oba Ewuare, Edokpolor Grammar, Ogbe and Oba Akenzua Secondary Schools participated in the event alongside NDLEA officials, government representatives and anti-drug advocates.
The State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Pius Alile, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, described the event as historic, noting that it was designed to sensitise students and other young people on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse.
Also speaking, the State Government’s Senior Special Assistant on Drug and Illicit Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, called for increased public support and collective action in the campaign against drug abuse.
At the end of the marathon, winners were rewarded with one-year academic scholarships and decorated as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassadors, with a mandate to promote the anti-drug campaign in their schools and communities.
The organisers said the initiative would further strengthen efforts to keep young people away from illicit drugs and encourage them to make healthy and responsible choices.
