NOA Mobilises Mosques, Churches in Kaduna Against Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence
Families and young people in Kaduna State are set to receive stronger anti-drug and domestic violence messages as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) moves to mobilise mosques, churches and other faith-based platforms against the growing social challenges.
The agency is asking religious leaders to use their influence within communities to warn young people about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage families to reject violence in the home.
Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call during separate advocacy visits to the leadership of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna.
The engagements formed part of a week-long sensitisation campaign against drug abuse and domestic violence organised by the NOA in collaboration with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The campaign covers the seven states of the Northwest, with the agency seeking to take preventive messages beyond government offices and into homes, places of worship, schools, markets and neighbourhoods.
Issa-Onilu stressed that religious institutions have a major role to play in protecting young people and strengthening families because of their close connection with communities.
During the meeting with JNI, the NOA delegation engaged Kaduna State leaders, including Imam Hussaini Iliyasu, Malam Kauru Mohammed Lawal, Malam Tahir Baba Ibrahim, Dalhat Muhammed Tanimu and Balarabe Idris Jigo.
The agency appealed to JNI to use its network of mosques, Islamic schools and community structures to educate young people and families about the dangers of drug abuse and the consequences of domestic violence.
JNI welcomed the initiative, saying it aligns with efforts by religious and traditional institutions to promote moral upbringing and tackle drug abuse among young people.
The Islamic organisation pledged to support the campaign by spreading anti-drug and non-violence messages through its structures across Kaduna State.
The NOA also held discussions with the Kaduna State chapter of CAN, urging Christian leaders to make drug abuse and domestic violence regular subjects of preaching, counselling and youth engagement.
Among those at the CAN meeting were the Chairman, Rev. Dr Caleb Bawa; CAN Secretary, Ven. Emmanuel Ayobanidele; Rev. Adaji Emmanuel; Mr Belat, Secretary of the Youth Wing; Rev. Madaki, Vice Chairman, South; and Mr. Tanko of YOWICAN.
The agency urged CAN to deploy churches, pulpits, youth organisations, women’s fellowships, schools and counselling platforms to reach families and communities with preventive messages.
Responding, the CAN leadership pledged its support, assuring the NOA that churches would continue to preach, teach and counsel members against drug abuse and domestic violence.
The agency said the scale of the challenges means government institutions cannot fight them alone, stressing the need for religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, families and communities to work together.
The Kaduna campaign had earlier begun with a street walk through markets, motor parks and other public spaces, where residents, particularly young people, were sensitised on the dangers of drug abuse and domestic violence.
Speaking during the engagements, NOA Director of Special Duties and State Operations, Mr David Akoji, thanked the religious organisations for their willingness to partner with the agency.
Akoji said sustained engagement with faith-based organisations would enable the NOA to reach more people across the Northwest, especially through platforms that already have strong connections with families and young people.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with Friday mosques, Sunday churches and other community platforms to sustain public enlightenment and encourage behavioural change.
For the NOA, the message is clear: preventing drug abuse and domestic violence must begin close to where people live, worship and raise their families.
The agency said a coordinated partnership among government, religious and traditional institutions, civil society, families and communities remains critical to protecting young people, strengthening families and building safer communities across Nigeria.
