Drug addiction, wrong exposure to internet, challenge among youths – Oyo commissioner

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has emphasised that the challenges youths face today are far more toxic than those of the past, with many young people making the mistake of choosing mentors from among their peers involved in criminal activities.

He made this statement at the opening ceremony of the third edition of Forge Camp, a boys-only camping experience organised by the Hope for Second Chance Foundation (HOSEC), held at Olubadan Stadium, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, on August 26, 2025.

Prince Oyelade urged the boys to consider themselves privileged to have been selected from among millions of boys in the state, and encouraged them to make good use of the knowledge and experiences they would gain.

He said, “The biggest challenge of going through youth is vulnerability, which means you can be gullible and may inadvertently adopt certain characteristics that will not augur well for your future. This is why genuine mentoring is important.

The challenges that youths face today are far more toxic than those in the past, and many are making the mistake of adopting mentors from among partners in crime. Among these challenges are drug addiction and the negative effects of inappropriate exposure to the internet.

I am here to appeal to our dear youths to stay away from drugs, and to admonish and encourage parents to be extra vigilant and diligent—taking active interest in what their children watch and read on the internet.”

Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Otesile, the convener of the programme, said it was designed to support the development of the boy child.

“Nobody talks about the boy child; all the focus is on the girl child. There should be a balance. Forge Camp is an initiative to help the boy child realign. No one talks to boys about hygiene, adolescence, communication, or self-concept. That’s our focus. The boys will be in camp for six days, where we teach them about hygiene, emotional intelligence, and vocational skills.

One of the most impactful parts of the programme is the mentorship component. Social media is full of negative role models. Here, the boys meet men who have succeeded in life legitimately—not through shortcuts. These men share their stories and experiences. It’s a way of making the boy child more responsible and grounded.”

On how the 100 boys were selected for the camp, Mrs. Otesile explained that the Foundation worked in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, with participants drawn from various schools across the state.

Also speaking at the programme, the Commissioner for Education, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola—represented by Engineer Adebayo Salaam, a Permanent Secretary at the ministry—reiterated that the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, is committed to improving education and learning outcomes through innovation. He welcomed strategic partnerships with stakeholders and development partners in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for Education.

Other dignitaries present at the event included the Chairman of the programme, Rev. (Dr.) and Mrs. Lekan Babatunde; the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Haruna, represented by Area Commander Coker Shado; Mogaji Rotimi Alli of the Ibadan Youth Club; and many others.

One of the participants, Okereke Igwe from Government College, Ibadan, shared his thoughts:

“It’s a lovely experience. We were able to develop skills that we might not have had the opportunity to learn if we were just staying at home.”