(DDM) – The Royal Iwere Foundation has stepped up its campaign against drug abuse across the Niger Delta, describing the crisis as a ticking time bomb.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Olori Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, led the second edition of the Wuwu Ore Substance Abuse Rally in Warri on August 19, 2025.
The event, themed “The Socio-Economic Impact of Substance Abuse among the Youths in the Niger Delta,” was strategically held to coincide with the fourth coronation anniversary of Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Olori Atuwatse III delivered a strong message to young people, urging them to shun destructive habits and embrace discipline in the pursuit of their future goals.
She emphasized that drug addiction is crippling the potential of thousands of youths and could become deadlier than militancy if not confronted decisively.
The rally featured interactive sessions, community mobilization drives, and youth-led initiatives designed to highlight the dangers of substance abuse.
Notably, Jessy McCarthy, a young writer recognized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), presented her award-winning essay on drug control, underscoring youth involvement in the campaign.
Speakers at the rally highlighted the mental health consequences of substance abuse, including depression, violence, and community breakdown.
They further stressed that unchecked drug consumption undermines economic empowerment, weakens family structures, and fuels crime across Niger Delta communities.
The Olori stated that the Foundation’s focus is not only on awareness but also on building long-term solutions through skill acquisition, rehabilitation programs, and empowerment schemes.
Observers noted that the choice of Warri as the venue reflects the city’s history of youth restiveness and its strategic role in shaping narratives of peace and development in the Niger Delta.
Community leaders present at the rally endorsed the Royal Iwere Foundation’s intervention, describing it as timely and necessary for protecting the next generation.
They urged parents, schools, and religious bodies to intensify awareness campaigns, arguing that the fight against drug abuse must be communal rather than left to government alone.
Analysts also point out that linking the program to the Olu’s coronation anniversary elevates the visibility of the campaign, giving it both cultural and political weight.
The NDLEA has repeatedly identified Delta and Bayelsa States as high-risk zones for narcotics distribution, citing youth unemployment and economic inequality as key drivers.
By merging tradition with activism, Olori Atuwatse III has positioned herself as a royal voice challenging the silent epidemic of drug abuse in the region.
She warned that if youths fail to resist the lure of narcotics, they risk losing their future to an avoidable tragedy.
The rally concluded with commitments from local NGOs, traditional institutions, and youth groups to sustain the momentum through community-based programs.
The Royal Iwere Foundation announced that it will extend similar campaigns to riverine communities where drug trafficking and abuse have become rampant.
Supporters say the Foundation’s model of combining cultural heritage with social advocacy could serve as a blueprint for tackling other pressing issues in the Niger Delta.
