By Comr. Chiedu Bandoh, Asaba
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Oyowe Churchill, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace knowledge, discipline, and self-worth as antidotes to the growing menace of drug abuse and prostitution among young people.
Comrade Churchill made the call on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, while delivering his keynote address at a sensitization seminar organized by the NUJ Truth Chapel, led by its Chairman, Comrade Chiedu Bandoh. The event with the theme, “The dangers of drug abuse and prostitution”, was held to educate and inspire students and young people to make better life choices.
Speaking on behalf of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Churchill commended the Truth Chapel for taking what he described as “a bold and urgent step” in organizing such a timely and meaningful event. According to him, the initiative reflects the role of journalists as not just news reporters, but also as agents shaping the future.
“We are gathered here today not to judge, not to condemn, but to educate, to enlighten, and to awaken,” he said. “The topics lined up for discussion are not just academic; they are real, life experiences for many young people in our society.”
He noted that issues such as drug abuse and prostitution are often silent struggles happening behind closed doors, in schools, on the streets, and even in homes and therefore emphasized the need for understanding and empathy rather than condemnation.
“Prostitution, for instance, is often misunderstood. Many see only the surface and not the poverty, desperation, and exploitation that drive people into it. Today’s lecture will help us unpack these myths and face the realities behind it,” he said.
On drug abuse, the NUJ chairman lamented how it destroys dreams, derails lives, and steals futures, especially among students who fall victim to peer pressure and false notions of success. He cautioned that drugs “do not take away pain—they only postpone it while multiplying the consequences.”
Addressing the students directly, Comrade Churchill said:
“You are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the protectors of today. The knowledge you receive here is for your life. Pay attention, ask questions, and reflect. This seminar could be the turning point you never knew you needed.”
He further stressed that journalists have a duty not just to inform but to inspire and push for solutions.
“Today, Truth Chapel has lived up to its name by bringing truth to light and giving our young people the tools to choose life over escape and purpose over pressure,” he said.
Comrade Churchill concluded by commending the organizers, guest speakers, and students for their active participation, expressing hope that the seminar would spark ongoing conversations in classrooms, homes, and communities.
“May today spark conversations that continue in your classrooms, your homes, your hearts, and beyond,” he concluded.
