The Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide (NDYC) in collaboration with Lucky and Mandy Global Foundation and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) recently held a Mental Health Summit in Calabar, Cross River State.

The summit took place at Professor Eyo Ita Hall, in Calabar, with the theme; ‘Your Mind Matters’, and was designed to create awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and addiction especially among young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region and beyond.

Delivering the Lead Lecture, Prof. Dan Nwogbo highlighted the physiological strains of drug abuse on youths and maintained that, “for a sound mind, youths must refrain from the consumption of harmful substances that are capable of impeding their minds like opioids and alcohol”

Dr. Kelle Chokpa and Maxwell Ibli on their part extolled young entrepreneurs to “prioritize their businesses over the pleasure of drug abuse since no one can make any reasonable success in business without having a critical and rational mind”.

In his lecture, Pharmacist Ezekiel Eze warned against the abuse use of prescription drugs like cough syrups and other drugs by youths as they’re “capable of not just ruining the mind but even the mental capacity and of an individual which will, in turn, affect their daily output”.

Addressing journalists shortly after the summit, the National Coordinator of NDYC Worldwide, Engr. Jator Abido commended the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Bassey Out as well as Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and Hon. Chiedu Ebie, Managing Director and Chairman of NDDC respectively for supporting the initiative.

He urged young entrepreneurs “to be mindful of their health while trying to improve on their business and avoid anything that will be a distraction to the pursuit of their goals including drugs, stress, and anxiety”.

Similarly, the Board Chairman of NDYC Worldwide, Hon. Beke Apere “urged youths to abstain from all forms of addiction and substance abuse for their health, longevity and sanity”.

Present at the Summit where NDYC Worldwide members, members of the National Youth Council (Cross River Chapter), National Youth Corps members, Civil Society groups, students, and youth leaders from the Niger Delta region.