The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, on Monday, 22 September 2025, flagged off the DEPOWA Inter-Secondary School Sports competition at Guards Brigade Sports Complex, Aguyi Ironsi Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja. An event, designed as a sports-based drug abuse prevention program, with the theme “Live Free, Stay Clean.”
The initiative brought together students from military and paramilitary secondary schools to showcase their talents in various sporting activities while also engaging in sensitization programs on the dangers of substance abuse. The four-week competition aims to build discipline, resilience, and teamwork among students while promoting positive peer influence and a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Musa warmly welcomed the Special Guest of Honour and other distinguished guests. She emphasized that substance abuse among teenagers is a rising concern in Nigeria, particularly due to the accessibility of drugs such as cannabis, codeine, inhalants, and other psychoactive substances. She called on parents, guardians, and school authorities to remain vigilant, guide their children, and encourage healthy engagements such as sports, which helps build character and resilience against negative influences.
Mrs. Musa further stressed that sports must remain a noble pursuit that rewards discipline, hard work, and integrity, rather than shortcuts through substance abuse. She expressed confidence that the competition would inspire students to live responsibly, pursue excellence, and remain free from the dangers of drugs.
The Special Guest of Honour, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), CON, OFR, commended the initiative, noting that it gladdened his heart to see children excelling not only academically but also in sports that build discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He highlighted the urgent need to confront the menace of drug abuse, which threatens the health, wellbeing, and future of young people. He therefore urged students, parents, teachers, and guardians to recognize the dangers of illicit drugs and make a collective commitment to a drug-free life. He further advised parents never to ignore their children, as they may not always know what they are going through, and encouraged them to acquire drug test kits at home to detect early signs of drug abuse.
Highlights of the event included football and volleyball matches between schools, sensitization talks on self-discipline and drug prevention, presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs.
