Adebola KolawoleLagos camp trains 450 youths in leadership, celebrates humanitarian efforts, and disaster response strides
In a bold effort to combat rising social vices among Nigerian youth, the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has launched its 2025 Youths and Leadership Camp, focusing on equipping young people with tools to resist drug abuse, cybercrime, and other deviant behaviors.
Now in its 60th year, the annual camp, which began on Tuesday in Lagos, is hosting 450 participants under the supervision of 50 Red Cross officers. This year’s edition emphasizes structured leadership training, values-based mentorship, and long-term youth development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos Branch, Adebola Kolawole, highlighted the camp’s legacy in shaping responsible citizens over the decades. “This isn’t just a camp, it’s a transformational experience,” Kolawole stated. “We are celebrating six decades of teaching values and empowering youth to lead meaningful lives, away from drugs and cybercrime. The goal is to build a generation of Nigerians that can be proud of.”
Participants will undergo leadership workshops, mentorship sessions, and social engagements that promote civic responsibility and discourage corruption and crime. Certificates and follow-up mentorship are provided to sustain the impact beyond the camp.
Branch Secretary Olakunle Lasisi also noted that the Red Cross has a long-standing commitment to curbing substance abuse and behavioral challenges among youth. “We attract young people through interactive activities and introduce them to trained facilitators who help them understand the dangers of drug use, corruption, and cybercrime,” he said. “We’ve built a mentoring network to guide them toward a brighter future.”
In a highlight of the event, the Red Cross decorated the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, as its Humanitarian Ambassador. The recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to emergency response in the state.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Oke-Osanyintolu dedicated the award to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and lauded the administration's commitment to enhancing disaster management capabilities. “This recognition reflects the progress Lagos has made under Governor Sanwo-Olu. The governor has invested heavily in emergency response systems and is leading the charge to establish Nigeria’s first Institute of Disaster Management,” he revealed.
He further announced that Lagos would host all 36 State Emergency Management Agencies and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) this October, in celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Red Cross leadership commended the state's support, with Kolawole praising LASEMA’s collaborative efforts in emergency and humanitarian work.
The 2025 Youths and Leadership Camp continues throughout the week with various activities aimed at creating a ripple effect of positive change among Nigeria’s younger generation.
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