Gbam! Your friendly neighbourhood anti-substance abuse advocate is back. The month of May was a crazy one for me. Apart from the usual craziness of daily life, I got to perform some of my songs to young eager students in schools around Nigeria. Now, that was crazy exciting for me, because I could teach these kids the right thing – substance abuse is a NO!
Like I mentioned in my last post, today’s gist is about my stop at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Imo State. It was my third performance for the Anti Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) championed by MTN and I was ecstatic. Can you tell?
When I started this journey of advocating against substance abuse in 2017, all I really had in mind was spreading the message, getting young people to understand why substance abuse is ‘gbese’ (debt) that you can never repay. It will eat at you constantly till you have nothing left. That was my simple reason. There were too many young people dying for me to just sit back and do nothing.
To say that I was inspired when IMSU students started chanting the lines to “Gbana Na Bastard” would be an understatement! These were young people who listened to my music and understood every warning I was shouting in my lyrics.
Now, the part that “burst my head” was when I started to sing “Onye Ara”, and the students jumped to their feet and took over the stage to perform with me! The vibe was mad!
Ah, I was overwhelmed and not only by the love and knowledge that my music was not only accepted but was also making a difference with the youth. Especially since the lyrics will ring in their minds forever!
Whenever someone talks of ‘gabana’ ‘trams’ or any substance or they find themselves in a situation with substances, the lyrics will be a reminder of the time MTN ASAP came to IMSU. The song will remind them to stop! IMSU understood and that’s all I need.
But I need even more young people to understand that once you get on the substance abuse bus, there is no turning back for you o. Abeg! Think of how further you can go in life and the things you can achieve without substance abuse spoiling the show for you. Your possibilities are endless!
Till next time, my people, stay away from ALL substances o.
Coming up next, I will give you a behind-the-scenes peep into how students of the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, took my breath away during my final performance in Imo State.