By Mike Odeh James
As the nation grapples with rising concerns over drug abuse, cultism, and illegal oil bunkering, two youth leaders from Delta State have made a passionate appeal to young people across the region to reject these destructive vices. The call comes on the heels of a widely publicized drug-related arrest recently confirmed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), following earlier reports by youth advocates and journalists.
Comrade Chuba Okpuzor, the National Political Adviser of the Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (UYAN), and Comrade Gbenga Fajoye, the Delta State Chairman of UYAN, are urging youths in the Niger Delta to “choose the path of dignity, purpose, and productivity” instead of being lured into criminal networks or illicit trades that not only endanger their futures but undermine the development of the entire region.
Speaking during a press briefing in Warri, the duo emphasized that recent events have shown how deep-rooted criminality and impunity can be challenged through responsible activism and fearless reporting — but more importantly, through mass reorientation of the youth population.
“We’ve just come out of a trying period where our credibility was attacked for exposing a drug-related case involving a high-profile family,” said Comrade Okpuzor. “Now that the NDLEA has confirmed that our report was true, we’re using this momentum to refocus the conversation on prevention and youth empowerment. It’s not enough to just expose wrongdoing — we must also build systems and values that steer young people away from these paths.”
Comrade Fajoye echoed this sentiment, warning that drug trafficking, cultism, and oil bunkering are not just criminal offenses but “cancers that continue to eat away at the soul of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.”
“These vices offer quick rewards but leave behind a trail of destruction,” he said. “The arrest of a prominent figure’s relative should serve as a wake-up call — that no one is untouchable and that the law will catch up with those involved in such acts. But more importantly, it should prompt our young brothers and sisters to ask: Is it worth it?”
A Call for Government Partnership
Beyond the warnings and condemnation, both leaders are calling on the Delta State Government to actively partner with youth-focused organizations such as UYAN to develop comprehensive training programs aimed at equipping young people with skills for self-employment.
They stressed that many of the youths drawn into criminal activities are not inherently bad but are victims of systemic neglect, unemployment, and lack of opportunity.
“We need to move from condemnation to creation,” said Comrade Fajoye. “Our youths are talented, energetic, and full of ideas. What they lack is the platform and support to turn those ideas into sustainable livelihoods.”
The leaders proposed collaborative efforts between the government, civil society, and the private sector to fund skill acquisition centers, create entrepreneurship hubs, and support agricultural and technology-based ventures that can absorb the growing number of jobless youths in the state.
“Let’s invest in people instead of just infrastructure. Let’s build future leaders, not future convicts,” Comrade Okpuzor added.
Rehabilitating Hope, Restoring Accountability
UYAN has already started rolling out community engagement programs in parts of Delta State to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use and criminal involvement. Through town hall meetings, school sensitization campaigns, and media outreach, the group is working to rewrite the narrative that the only way to success is through shortcuts and illegality.
The group is also advocating for stronger collaborations between law enforcement and community leaders to tackle cultism and organized drug rings operating in urban and riverine areas.
“We must move away from reactive policing to proactive prevention,” Fajoye emphasized. “When communities feel ownership of the anti-drug campaign, the results are far more lasting.”
Youth Inclusion, Not Youth Abandonment
The duo concluded by reminding the public that youth involvement in nation-building must go beyond rhetoric. They called on policymakers to stop using young people as “political thugs during elections and statistics afterward.”
“Delta’s youths deserve better,” said Okpuzor. “They need to be part of the planning table, not just the receiving end of empty promises. If we don’t engage them positively, someone else — usually a criminal network — will.”
In a final message to the state’s youth, both leaders encouraged their peers to resist peer pressure, stay focused, and reach out for support whenever necessary.
“There is no shame in seeking help,” said Comrade Fajoye. “But there is great danger in silence and inaction. We are here, and we will walk with any young person who wants to change.”
As the region recovers from the shock of recent arrests and looks ahead to 2027 and beyond, these voices of conscience are becoming increasingly vital in building a society where youth are not pawns in a broken system — but pioneers of a brighter future.
Contact
For support or to participate in UYAN initiatives, youth and civil society stakeholders can reach out through the official channels of the Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (UYAN) Delta State Chapter.
Dan Zaki Media 