Light Up Lagos: Sanitising youths on drug abuse, skill empowerment

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has unveiled a new initiative to tackle drug abuse and cultism among youths, as part of its more extensive outreach programme, Light Up Lagos.

The initiative announced recently during a press conference at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Banquet Hall is also part of the key events put together to celebrate the life and impact of Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the present General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Adeboye is a foremost spiritual leader and global pentecostal leader whose ministry has influenced millions across the world.

However, beyond celebration, LightUp Lagos is a call to action—a mandate to bring hope to the hopeless, freedom to the bound, and transformation to our communities.

Emmanuel Emefienim, the Chairman of the Planning Committee for Light Up Lagos, who spoke during a press briefing said, “We recognize the critical issues facing our society today, particularly among our youth. This is why LightUp Lagos is structured around key initiatives that will make a lasting impact including:

“Anti-Drug Abuse and Anti-Cultism Initiative – We have deployed teams across the country to reach out to victims of substance abuse and cultism creating awareness and advocating against the dangers of substance abuse and cultism. We are also rehabilitating several drug addicts and cultists.
Secondary School Intervention Programs.

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“As we speak, we have teams working in secondary schools in various states across the nation to educate the younger generation on purpose, leadership, career development, and values.
Outreach to Correctional Centers. Our teams are currently working across Nigeria offering legal aid and paying fines to secure the release of convicted inmates with the option of fine, contributing to the decongestion of correctional facilities,” Emefienim said.

He disclosed that they are training over 350,000 youths across Africa in essential digital skills, positioning them for global opportunities.

“We have over 100 centres where we are providing training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises to promote entrepreneurship and economic growth.”

On medical outreach, he said that during the program, they will be providing free healthcare services to over 5,000 people in Lagos, ensuring access to vital medical attention.

The LightUp Lagos will be holding February 22, 2025, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.