The Stella Heart Foundation SHF has warned students against Psychoactive drugs abuse in order to preserve their mental well beings and to protect their lives dreams .
This is as the foundation celebrated the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye on his sixty years birthday anniversary.
The promoter of the Foundation, Mrs Stella Monisola Ibileye gave the warning on Saturday June 7, 2026 in a talk show to encourage teens and young adults drawn from selected Secondary Schools in Lokoja to say no to substance abuse.
While paying glowing tribute to the celebrator, Professor Gbenga Ibileye who is her husband said the occasion is aimed at celebrating his remarkable 60th birthday whom she described as beloved husband and anchor.
According to her”Today is not only a celebration of a milestone age; it is a celebration of a life that has touched many people and left a lasting impact on families, friends, and society. Sixty years is a testament to God’s faithfulness, mercy, protection, and
grace. Looking back over the years, we see a man of integrity, compassion, wisdom, and resilience.
“As a husband and a father, he has been loving, very supportive, and he has been a guide, mentor, and source of strength. As a friend and leader, he has consistently demonstrated kindness, generosity, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.
” It is this concern for humanity and the desire to see people live healthier and more productive lives that inspired the vision behind the establishment of the Stella Heart Foundation.
“The foundation was created with a commitment to promoting health awareness, supporting mental well-being, and educating communities on the dangers of substance abuse, especially among young people.
‘As we celebrate his 60th birthday, we are reminded that true success is not measured only by personal achievements but by the positive difference we make in the lives of others.
“Through his encouragement, support, and belief in serving humanity, the foundation has been set up to bring hope, health, and responsible living to individuals and communities” she reminisenced
Mrs Ibileye urged the participants to recommit themselves to the ideals for which this foundation stands: promoting healthy living, supporting mental well-being, discouraging substance abuse, and building stronger communities.
She charged young people to choose life, choose health, choose a bright future, stay away from substance abuse, and friends who promote it.
The talkshow with the theme Ready, , Protect, Restore” with the slogan “Rise Up and Stay Free” emphasized the need for the teens and young adults to avoid anything that has to do with drugs abuse and psychoactive substance with the potential to destroy their mental well beings and their careers.
The panelists composed of the official of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Medical doctor, a rehabilitated drugs addict and young adult who serves as a peer to the students.
The panelists harped on negative effects of Cannabis Sativa, tramadol, Canadian loud, kolos and other illicit drugs which have tendency to jeopardize their mental , physical well being and future goals in life
The panelists further warned that substance abuse is harmful to the youth because it attack the mental growth of an individual, saying , the mental development stopped to grow at the age of 26, saying abusing psycho active substances at young age will have an indelible negative impact on them.
They advised against peer pressure , environmental and economic influences, noting that addiction, will cause Social dislocation, medical condition which could lead to death and negation of future dreams.
They advised students to say no to factors that will encourage them to abuse drugs adding that they should seek helps by not hiding influence from their parents, talk to their teachers, talk to health care professionals and to report to drugs enforcement agencies.
In a remark, the celebrator, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye commended the wife for organizing the talk show to commemorate his 60 years , the year that will remain memorable in his life time.
He assured the students that they can stay off drugs abuse citing his growing days under his parents who were palm wine tapper and petty beer parlor businesswoman without him being influenced to drink alcohol.
He said personal conviction and commitment to life goals is the only antidote to waive off influences.
He said, his commitment to life goals deterred him to ward off influences that would have jeopardized his goals but birth his achievements in the academic field that snowballed into his appointment as a vice Chancellor of this University.
The VC used the occasion to pledge his contributions to the Foundation and to endow a scholarship award to deserving students.
