By Tunde Oso

In a bid to tackle underage drinking, female employees of Intercontinental Distillers Limited, known as the IDL Amazons, have launched an awareness campaign among schoolchildren in Ogun State, pledging to sustain the initiative across more schools to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse.

The campaign, held at Iganmode Grammar School in Ota, was part of the IDL Amazons’ activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), aiming to encourage students to prioritise education, personal development, and long-term goals rather than viewing alcohol or drugs as a symbol of social status.

The initiative aligns with ongoing national measures, including the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles below 200ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), aimed at reducing underage drinking.

Bertina Bamgbose, Human Resources Manager at IDL and team lead of IDL Amazons, said the programme, tagged ‘Focus Is the Flex’, complements the IWD theme, ‘Give to Gain’, by empowering teenagers to resist social pressures to experiment with alcohol and drugs.

“The ‘Focus Is the Flex’ initiative provides students with the knowledge, confidence, and courage to resist peer pressure and understand that true strength lies in discipline, self-respect, and focus on their aspirations,” she said.

Bamgbose noted that the campaign targets students in the host community where the company operates, emphasising their value and the importance of protecting their future. She assured that the programme would be ongoing, with hundreds of students already benefiting, and plans to partner with the Ogun State Ministry of Education to reach more schools in the coming weeks.

Addressing the students, psychiatrist Victoria Elegbede advised them to abstain from drug abuse, warning that substance use can have severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, including legal and financial problems. She also cautioned against underage alcohol consumption, noting that only maturity allows individuals to fully understand its health risks, including liver damage.

Students who participated described the programme as impactful and inspiring. Praise Oluwadamilola, an SS3 science student, said the session highlighted the importance of staying focused and making responsible decisions, while Alaka Boluwatife added that they learned it is possible to enjoy life without succumbing to drugs or negative influences.