By Nkechi Eze
The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Grace Musa, has reiterated the need for intentional parenting as a vital strategy to curb the rising menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
Speaking during a live programme on Armed Forces Radio 107.7 FM Abuja, Mrs. Musa stressed that parents must play active and deliberate roles in raising their children, noting that proper parental guidance remains the foundation of moral discipline and national development. According to her, “We must be intentional as parents. Our children learn more from what they see us do than from what we tell them. Parenting requires time, love, and commitment, and God will hold us accountable for how we raise the children He entrusted to us.”
Mrs. Musa made the remarks while featuring on the radio programme “You and Your Environment,” anchored by Sergeant Ruth Dabo, which focused on DEPOWA’s ongoing campaign themed “Live Free, Stay Clean.” The initiative is designed to promote healthy lifestyles, discipline, and drug-free living among secondary school students through awareness programmes and sports-based engagements.
The campaign, which commenced on September 22, 2025, and runs until October 16, 2025, is being implemented across nine secondary schools within military and police formations in the Federal Capital Territory. Mrs. Musa explained that DEPOWA adopted sports such as football and volleyball as central tools for the campaign to foster teamwork, unity, and positive youth engagement. “Sports bring people together and create an opportunity to teach important life values such as teamwork, self-discipline, and focus. Through this, we remind our youths that a healthy life is one free from drugs and harmful habits,” she said.
She further disclosed that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), served as the Special Guest of Honour during the opening ceremony of the campaign. Mrs. Musa noted that the NDLEA boss commended DEPOWA’s proactive steps in youth sensitization and urged students to resist peer pressure and drug-related temptations.
Highlighting the progress of the campaign, Mrs. Musa revealed that over 700 students have participated so far, with many showing enthusiasm and commitment to living drug-free lives. She added that DEPOWA intends to expand the programme to other parts of the country in its next phase to reach more young Nigerians with the anti-drug message. “This is just the beginning. We plan to take the message to more communities across Nigeria. Our goal is to ensure every young person understands that living free and staying clean leads to a better future,” she said.
Listeners who participated in the live broadcast praised Mrs. Musa for her compassion, leadership, and commitment to youth and women empowerment, describing her as “a Mother Theresa of our time.” Her advocacy, they noted, continues to inspire many parents and community leaders to take more responsibility in nurturing morally upright children.
The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), a non-governmental, non-profit organisation comprising wives of officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, has over the years been at the forefront of social welfare, education, and empowerment initiatives for women and children in military communities. Under Mrs. Oghogho Grace Musa’s leadership, the association has expanded its scope to include advocacy on issues such as mental health, gender-based violence, moral reorientation, and youth development.
Through the “Live Free, Stay Clean” campaign, DEPOWA continues to demonstrate its commitment to complementing the federal government’s anti-drug abuse drive led by the NDLEA, while strengthening civil-military relations and promoting community well-being. The initiative aligns with the broader national agenda for moral regeneration and the creation of a safer, healthier society.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Musa expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Armed Forces, parents, teachers, and members of the barracks community for their continued support. “The future of our country depends on the choices we help our children make today. Together, we can raise a generation that is disciplined, drug-free, and purpose-driven,” she concluded.
Through her leadership, Mrs. Oghogho Grace Musa continues to position DEPOWA as a transformative platform for moral and social change, promoting responsible parenting, youth empowerment, and collective action towards building a drug-free and disciplined generation in Nigeria.
