By Ibironke Ariyo
The Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) and renowned Afropop musician, Daud Suleiman popularly known as ‘Hi-Speed’ have agreed to work together to curb the menace of substance abuse among young people across the country.
This was among the agreements reached during a meeting where the music icon met with the Director General of VGADA, Dr. Hope Omeiza, paid a courtesy call.
Omeiza said the scourge of drug abuse continues to destroy lives, youths, families and communities among others.
He said the partnership is aimed at combating the glorification of drug use prevalent on social media and mainstream platforms.
He said these are the places where celebrities often promote drug abuse as a form of creative inspiration.
However, he stressed the importance of engaging critical stakeholders and global ambassadors to address this pressing issue.
He added that as a global youth icon, Hi-Speed has demonstrated its commitment to the campaign against drug abuse through its music and community outreach programs.
He also added that his brand has organized a major concert in the North Central States in 2022, specifically targeting COVID-19 affected areas to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
“Most of our activities revolve around young people, who are disproportionately affected by drug abuse. To change the narrative, we need to explore innovative prevention options.
“Hi-Speed’s influence is instrumental in proving that success can be achieved without drug abuse. He is a role model who shows that you can become famous without drugs or alcohol.
“He is someone I know personally and I can say that even when it comes to alcohol, he is someone who does not consume any of these substances.
“And we believe that by working with Hi-Speed, VGADA aims to inspire young people to make informed decisions and avoid drug addiction.
“We hope that Hi-Speed’s message will reach young people and encourage them to follow his positive example,” Omeiza concluded.
Previously, Hi-Speed has expressed concern over the growing trend of drug abuse among young people and promised to use his music and influence to combat this menace.
He stressed that artists, as role models, have a responsibility to promote positive values and discourage harmful behaviors.
However, the musician has vowed to use his music, social media and broadcasts to educate his followers about the dangers of drug use.
Hi-Speed, with nearly two decades of experience in the music industry, has stressed that success can be achieved without the use of illegal substances.
“I have been in this industry since 2007 and I make my music without drug addiction. Things are going well for me and I want my followers to know that they can achieve their goals without drugs.
“Most of our fans see us as mentors and emulate what we do on screen. It is time we use our platforms to fight drug addiction and promote healthy lifestyles.
“I will use my platforms to tell my fans that they can achieve their dreams without drugs. I want to inspire them to make positive decisions.
“As young people, they can be whatever they want without using drugs, they can be whatever they want without taking drugs,” he advised.
