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Nollywood Stars, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Ini Edo Share Their Encounters with Drug Abuse

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4 years ago

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Nollywood Stars, Ini Edo and Dakore-Egbuson Akande shared their personal encounters with drug abuse at the recently concluded Drug Convos, a virtual event hosted by MTN Foundation in partnership with Businessday, MTV Base and Nigerian Entertainment Today (Netng) in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking marked annually on June 26. The discussion was moderated by author and popular social commentator, Japheth J. Omojuwa and the stars came ready to spill!
Dakore Egbuson-Akande during the Drug Convos
When asked about the role of family and parents in curbing substance abuse among youths, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, mother of twin-girls shared her brush with drug traffickers while she was an undergraduate in the University, “I remember when things were difficult. I was in the university and I could travel abroad at that time. Someone came up to me and said ‘oh, would you want to carry some drugs when you travel and you’ll get paid when you get there?’ I was only 21 at the time!”

She added that parenting plays a major role in shaping the decisions that young people make about drugs and substance abuse as she could have made a decision that will ruin her entire life.”Due to upbringing and the discipline my parents had instilled in me, I didn’t have to run home to ask my parents what to say to the guy. I just knew that omo dat one no go happen!”

She advised Nigerian parents to unlearn some of the parenting and communication styles that they experienced with their own parents because the present-day situation requires an open relationship that will enable children speak to their parents before they make irreversible mistakes.
Ini Edo during the Drug Convos
When J. J. Omojuwa, asked Ini Edo what the Nollywood industry was doing to curb the menace of substance abuse among the impressionable youth, the actress admitted there was a general glorification of substance use in entertainment and there was a need to use movies to show the adverse effect, according to her “the Censors Board [National Film and Video Censors Board] has a huge role to play in this. If you are telling a drug-related success story, there has to be a certain result that shows that if you get into this type of lifestyle, this is what you are likely to get at the end of the day.”

She disclosed that what young people see is the glamourous part of the whole process, “they may be thinking, ‘oh, I need to be high to perform which is probably what they see on TV and on social media but they don’t get to see the adverse effect of abusing drugs and how damaging it can be on young people.”

She insisted that there was a need for drug-abuse education while sharing her experience at a party, “I went to a party some time ago where Cannabis was being served on trays like food and young people not older than 25 were consuming it like it was normal!”
J.J. Omojuwa during the Drug Convos
J. J. Omojuwa, excited by the positive response from the celebrities said, “I am delighted by what we have heard from the celebrities who are also cultural influencers because there is an assumption that once you are a famous person in the entertainment community, you just need some form of drugs to spice it up.”
Other panellists at the event included Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; Country Manager, ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Bada Akintunde-Johnson; Country Representative, United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Oliver Stolpe; Senior Lecturer and Consultant Psychiatrist, Yewande Oshodi; Director-General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministries, Adedokun Adedeji and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, among others.
Panelists at MTN ASAP’s Drug Convos
The Drug Convos is part of MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), a multi-sectoral intervention targeted at eradicating drug abuse among young Nigerians from ages 10 to 25. 
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Justice Okamgba is journalist at Grassroots.ng

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Entertainment

Celebrities Turn Up For The Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos

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1 week ago

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May 6, 2024

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Comedians such as AY Makun, Seyi Law, and MC Lively and many other celebrities were in attendance at the child dedication ceremony of ace comedian Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba.

Recall that the comedian announced the birth of his triplets, born two months earlier, on his Instagram account on Monday, April 1, 2024. However, some netizens thought it was a prank which Ali Baba didn’t bother clarifying.

Here are pictures from the dedication ceremony.

We congratulate him and his wife once more.

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Big Congratulations To BBNaija Star, Miracle Igbokwe Who Graduated With Distinction From Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University In Florida USA

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3 weeks ago

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April 27, 2024

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The reality TV star disclosed this on his Instagram story on Friday, sharing a video of the moment he climbed the stage to receive his certificate.

Over the years, He has carried us along his Journey of becoming a trained pilot. In July 2018, Ikechukwu obtained his Private Pilot License and Flight Dispatcher License.

In March 2019, he further disclosed that he obtained his certification as an “Instrument Rated” pilot.

He was also reported to have celebrated passing his Flight Instructor exam in 2023, as he completed his aviation training and earned pilot certification from US aviation authorities in 2024.

Miracle was in aviation school before the BBNaija show and returned to complete his training immediately after clinching the grand prize.

We congratulate him on his commitment to achieving this height. And we wish him the very best ahead.

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Billionaire Socialite, E-Money To Take Full Responsibility Of Junior Pope’s Sons

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4 weeks ago

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April 17, 2024

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Nigerian socialite Emeka Okonkwo, also known as E-Money, recently expressed his sorrow over the tragic death of his late friend, Junior Pope, who passed away in a drowning accident.

In a heartfelt note, E-Money mourned the loss of the Nollywood star and pledged to take care of Junior Pope’s three sons, making them part of his family. This gesture of generosity and support has touched many hearts, raising questions about the importance of friendship and community support in times of grief.

In his post, He wrote;

“We tenderly remember your final words on the boat, “NA ONLY ME DEM BORN I GET 3 CHILDREN NA ME GO RAISE THEM,” and we solemnly commit to honoring that vow. Your children now find solace in the embrace of the Okonkwo family, and we, as members of that family, pledge to nurture them as you would have wished. Your absence leaves a palpable void, JP, and your memory will forever be held dear. Rest peacefully, knowing that you are deeply cherished, and may God’s blessings encompass your soul, your family, and all who hold you in their hearts. ” – E-Money

E-money’s post

God bless him as he keeps his promise.

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