By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation has marked a historic milestone by hosting the first-ever graduation ceremony for Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) for People With Physical Disabilities (PWPDs) in Nigeria.

The Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and multiple recipient of the WHO World No Tobacco Award (WNT) 2021, 2022, and 2024 in the Africa region, hosted the graduation ceremony on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Organized by the Tobacco and Substance Abstinence Club of the Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation, the event also featured the launch of 20 new poems dedicated to SUD treatment and recovery professionals, adding value to an existing collection of 80 prevention poems.

The ceremony began with the Nigerian national anthem and was anchored by Malam Lawal Magaji, the Kaduna State Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Hausa Program Coordinator.

In a goodwill message during the occasion, Dr. Omolara Ibrahim, Head of Treatment Services at the Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse (KADBUSA), representing the Hon. Commissioner for Health and Director General of KADBUSA, appreciated the foundation’s efforts and expressed commitment to future collaboration on Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives.

Also in attendance, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, Deputy State Commander Operations, representing the NDLEA Kaduna State Commander, spoke about the misuse of individuals with physical disabilities by drug traffickers and urged the graduands to use their newly acquired knowledge to stay drug-free and serve as prevention ambassadors.

Hajiya Rakiya A. Unar, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board, representing the Hon. Commissioner for Women and Humanitarian Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the students’ presentations and promised to ensure that the graduands make good use of their training. She called on the students to abstain from drugs and be prevention ambassadors in their various local governments.

Alhaji Rilwan Mohammed Abdullahi, National President of the Association of Physically Challenged People of Nigeria, praised the initiative and commended the groundbreaking nature of the program, pledging to expand its scope nationwide.

Mrs. Gormwa Gotus, the 2024 WHO WNT Award Winner in the Africa region and prevention educator for PWPDs in Kaduna State, welcomed the dignitaries and guests, and highlighted the training’s goal of helping individuals with physical disabilities to avoid smoking and drug abuse.

She stressed that the vocational training provided by the Eye Opener Foundation enables even those unable to read or write to understand the importance of abstinence.

Margaret Kwa’ada Julius, CEO and Founder of “The Eye Opener Tobacco and Substance Abstinence Club” and an alumnus of Ecolink Institute of Well-Being India: 2024 global leadership award winner spoke about the club’s holistic approach to combating drug misuse and smoking addiction.

She explained that the club aims to serve all communities and groups without discrimination, conducting training in languages best understood by the beneficiaries. Mrs. Julius however stated that the foundation is yet to receive any financial support or grants but expressed hopes for future assistance.

Miss Vanessa Adeshola Julius, President of the Tobacco Substance Abstinence Club for Biblical Approach on Children and Teenager SUD Prevention in Nigeria, launched the 20 new poems for those under SUD treatment and recovery by reciting several selections.

The representative of the Commandant of the Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVIS), urged the graduates to utilize their training effectively and report any attempts to involve them in drug-related activities.

The highlight of the ceremony included the presentation of graduation certificates and free jackets to the 16 graduating students, who also made presentations on the effects of drug abuse and smoking.

The graduands are: Dalhatu Yahaya, Ridwan U. Iliyasu, Usman Abdullahi, Sagir Yasha’u, Abdulkarim Adamu, Buhari Salisu, Ramatu Alhassan, Firdausi Aliyu, Ruth Falayi, Patience Markus, Rakiya Daniel, Mohammed Abubakar, Auwal Ibrahim, Rabiu Sani, Addaillu Abubakar, and Bala Aminu Ibrahim.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Mrs. Hajara Silas Bala, HOD Training and Empowerment, Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board; Mrs. Esther Yohanna, Center Manager, Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board Kaduna South Center; Hajiya Zainab Tanko, Social Welfare Officer, Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board Kaduna South Center; Mai Anguwa Aminu Ibrahim representing the district head of Makera and Mr. Nentawe Gomiyar, Team Leader of Fusion Nigeria and Chairman of the Ngas Development Association Kaduna Branch.

This pioneering event marks a significant step forward in SUD prevention and recovery efforts, particularly for individuals with physical disabilities, and underscores the Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation’s dedication to creating a drug-free society. End.