Helping Young People to live Healthily & Responsibly through YOLDA

Recognizing huge social problems associated with drug and substance abuse/addiction among adolescents and youths which was heightened due to the COVID-19 situation, the Foundation through her YOLDA program trained, equipped and empowered thirty-six beneficiaries from FCT and Nasarawa State. The YOLDA program which lasted for one year from June 2019 to August 2020 was conducted in three phases namely: peacebuilding and counseling session, medical screening, tests and treatment session, and vocational/empowerment session. On their graduation day, August 14^th 2020, the beneficiaries showcased what they had produced through skills that they acquired. Small grants were further given to them by the Foundation to enable them support their existing career or set-up a new business for those of them who are unemployed.

Our YOLDA program targets youths in the suburbs who engage in drug and substance abuse/addiction which makes them susceptible to violence. Most of the time, these youths engage in criminal and violent acts under the influence of drugs. Our YOLDA program supports this class of youth by providing them with YOLDA platform for full recovery so that they can live healthy and responsible lifestyle. The beneficiaries were happy for this opportunity and pledged to commit to their new lifestyle henceforth. Some of them have openly shared how the program has transformed them and their community.

Here are their stories

In a bid to control and work on my anger, a close friend of mine introduced me to drugs as an effective tool for anger management. In 2018, I became sorely dependent on drugs (Tramadol) and hardly do anything without it. I came across YOLDA in 2019 and applied for the program, even though I did not believe that it is a way out. With the whole package of the program, I saw myself unbelievably quitting addiction. I am fully recovered now and have quit drug misuse. With the skills I learnt during YOLDA empowerment training, I was able to establish my business (footwear production). I am so busy now that I don’t think about drugs anymore.

Henry Nwachukwu, 2020 YOLDA Beneficiary

Family problems led me into drug/substance abuse for two years, because I had a baby out of wedlock. I did not have a friend and a confidant, and I went into drug misuse, but with YOLDA program, I noticed that I was not alone in drug misuse. I found friends in both participants and counsellors, and with my learning of new skills during vocational training organized for us by COFP, I have become self-reliant and even very confident of not going back to drug abuse.

Christiana C. Oche, 2020 YOLDA Beneficiary

Loneliness, idleness and lack of job opportunity lead me into drug abuse/addiction for ten years. I was afraid of stopping because I did not believe that it was possible until I heard for the first time that I can do a gradual reduction, which I tried until I called it quit. I learnt driving during YOLDA skills training and got a job with a company, all thanks to the COFP Foundation.

Innocent Opkanachi, 2020 YOLDA Beneficiary

I was going through the challenge of not being able to satisfy my girlfriend in bed. I got advice from a friend who introduced me to a mixture of cannabis sativa and tramadol. I noticed later that my body even built tolerance to the quantity I took, and I then upgraded my intake until I became addicted to the drug. Coming out was an issue until I registered for YOLDA program. When people talk about relapse (falling back to drug consumption), I just smile because with what I went through as an addict, I can’t relapse. Thanks to COFP, I am now a professional fashion designer.

Ali Oviohen, 2020 YOLDA Beneficiary