The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has launched its annual Youths and Leadership Camp, a week-long initiative aimed at curbing drug abuse, cybercrime, and other social vices among young Nigerians.
The 2025 edition of the camp, which commenced on Tuesday in Lagos, also marks the 60th anniversary of the long-running programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Lagos Red Cross branch, Adebola Kolawole, said the camp has, over the decades, served as a platform for leadership development and youth empowerment.
“We are proud to celebrate six decades of training and mentoring young people—instilling values that many have lost over time,” Kolawole said. “This camp goes beyond outdoor activities. It is a structured programme that equips youths with the skills and mindset to become responsible members of society.”
She added that the camp includes leadership workshops and culminates in certificate awards and long-term mentorship opportunities for participants.
“This initiative is about shaping lives and steering youths away from drug addiction and other societal ills,” she said. “We are building a generation of responsible citizens that Nigeria can be proud of.”
Also speaking, the Branch Secretary, Olakunle Lasisi, highlighted the Red Cross’s longstanding commitment to addressing youth-related issues, including substance abuse and delinquency.
“We have a dedicated unit that has been tackling drug abuse for decades,” Lasisi said. “We use social activities to attract young people and then engage facilitators to educate them about the consequences of drug use, cybercrime, and other harmful behaviours.”
He noted that the camp is supported by a network of mentors who guide participants toward positive life choices.
“This year, we have 450 young participants under the supervision of 50 Red Cross officers,” Lasisi added. “Every participant leaves with a better outlook and the tools to build a better future.”
During the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, was honoured as the Red Cross Humanitarian Ambassador in recognition of his outstanding service in emergency and disaster response.
In his acceptance speech, Oke-Osanyintolu dedicated the honour to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and commended the state government’s investments in emergency preparedness.
“This recognition is really a reflection of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to strengthening Lagos’s emergency response systems,” he said.
He also announced plans to establish Nigeria’s first Institute of Disaster Management in Lagos—a step he said would enhance disaster response training and knowledge across the country.
“Come October, Lagos will host all 36 State Emergency Management Agencies alongside NEMA to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction,” he revealed. “It will be a nationwide event with stakeholders from across the federation.”
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Oke-Osanyintolu concluded by praising the Red Cross for its ongoing humanitarian efforts, saying, “The Lagos branch, under the leadership of its chairman, is doing exceptional work, and I’m honoured to be associated with it.”
