* The fight against drug abuse must become a community movement: Oba Matemilola
To commemorate its 20th anniversary, The TYMa Initiative, a faith-based organisation dedicated to mental health and youth wellbeing, has forged a strategic partnership with the Royal Palace of the Mighty Oluwo of Owu Kingdom to intensify the fight against drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
The milestone event, held on July 29, 2025, at the historic Oluwo of Owu Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State, brought together traditional leadership and grassroots advocacy in a united call for urgent action against the growing wave of substance abuse threatening the nation’s future.
National Coordinator of TYMa, Dr. Adelopo AbdulGaniyu, stressed the need for a values-based, multi-sectoral approach to tackling the crisis.
“For two decades, TYMa has focused on nurturing the minds and spirits of Nigerian youth. This partnership with the revered Oluwo of Owu is a testament to the power of unity across faith and tradition. Together, we are building a bulwark against the tide of drug abuse,” he said.
He revealed that TYMa’s future programmes will expand into schools, religious centres, and local communities, offering structured mentorship and counselling.
The Oluwo of Owu, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, a strong advocate for youth empowerment, pledged the palace’s full support for the campaign and urged other traditional rulers to replicate such alliances.
“The fight against drug abuse must go beyond institutions. It must become a community movement,” the monarch, a first-class traditional title in Ogun State, stated.
The anniversary celebration featured youth sensitisation on drug addiction and mental health, interactive counselling sessions, health screenings, and commitment pledges by youth ambassadors.
TYMa’s two decades of work stand as a testament to consistent outreach, education, and spiritual mentorship—now amplified by a culturally grounded and community-led approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s youth.
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