Kaduna State University (KASU) has commenced discussions with AMPLEMINDS Organization on a strategic partnership aimed at preventing substance abuse among young people through awareness, research, and community-based interventions.
The meeting, held at the university, was chaired by the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, Dr. Deborah Bijimi, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa.
Welcoming the AMPLEMINDS delegation, Dr. Bijimi explained that the Vice-Chancellor had referred the organization’s proposal to the Centre for Gender Studies for further consideration, describing the initiative as timely and relevant. She noted that substance abuse remains a growing concern among both male and female students and emphasized that the proposed collaboration would strengthen research, community engagement, and sustainable preventive interventions. She also expressed optimism that the discussions would culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Presenting the organization’s vision, the Founder of AMPLEMINDS, Engr. Saleh Bala, underscored the importance of early intervention and collective action in addressing substance abuse among young people. He outlined the organization’s preventive programmes across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions and proposed key areas of collaboration with KASU, including campus-wide awareness campaigns, peer education initiatives, staff capacity-building programmes, orientation sessions for newly admitted students, and the establishment of a Drug-Free Club within the university.
Engr. Bala further highlighted AMPLEMINDS’ collaboration with key stakeholders, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that the organization is committed to supporting the university through awareness creation, counselling referrals, and other preventive initiatives.
In her response, Dr. Deborah Bijimi commended AMPLEMINDS for its dedication to youth development and substance abuse prevention. She reaffirmed Kaduna State University’s commitment to supporting awareness campaigns, staff training, and student engagement programmes, expressing confidence that the proposed partnership would make a significant impact in promoting a drug-free campus. She added that the university looks forward to the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the collaboration.
By: Abigail Emmanuel Dankande