Tony Rapu, Pastor And Anti-Substance Abuse Campaigner, To Speak At The 2021 MTN Drug Convos

Tony Rapu, medical doctor and Senior Pastor at House of Freedom, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at this year’s Drug Convos organised by MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (MTN ASAP), one of Nigeria’s biggest drug abuse prevention initiatives, scheduled to take place on June 25, 2021. It will be his first time speaking at any event organised by MTN ASAP.

Since 2018, the MTN ASAP initiative has committed to increasing awareness of substance abuse and addiction among youths. The multi-stakeholder intervention also seeks to discourage first-time users from taking the first step to possible addiction.

This year, MTN ASAP, in collaboration with Netng, MTV Base, Hip TV, Business Day and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is organising a webinar in commemoration of the 2021 World Drug Day. The webinar, themed “Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives”, will feature an intense panel session on drug abuse prevention, which will be moderated by musical artiste and anti-abuse campaigner David Jones David.

Tony Rapu, a medical doctor, pastor and filmmaker, has dedicated his life to tackling issues such as drug addiction, urban poverty, and community development. He sits as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Freedom Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on rehabilitating young persons struggling with drug abuse and impoverishment. The Freedom Foundation comprises four units: the Genesis House (a residential rehabilitation program for girls and young women who have been victims of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation), House of Refuge (a drug rehabilitation and resource center which caters specifically for the rehabilitation needs of drug and alcohol dependent persons ), Bethesda Child Support Agency (which mobilises community resources with the assistance of partners to help children from impoverished backgrounds secure a better future through education) and King Solomon’s Funds (which provides empowerment programs to young men and women via career skills training, business and entrepreneurial development training, vocational skills training, counselling and mentoring).

In April 2019, the story of Lizzy, a 26-year-old lady who struggled with drug addiction, went viral after she was rescued by Tony Rapu and his team when they visited the Ipodo area of Ikeja, Lagos. Lizzy has since undergone a major transformation, and now leads a healthy lifestyle.

Other keynote speakers at the panel include: Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation; Bada Akintunde-Johnson, Country Manager, ViacomCBS Africa; Maymunah Kadiri, founder, Pinnacle Medical Services; Oliver Stolpe, Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and Olawale Eso, a young Nigerian recovering from drug abuse.

The webinar will also feature a documentary video on substance abuse, as well as live performances from MTN Y’ello Star winner Dotti and serial hitmaker Joeboy.