Group seeks FG funding intervention for the “Drop That Gun” initiative

Group seeks FG funding intervention for the “Drop That Gun” initiative

…holds a nationwide campaign

By Naomi Onome

The Drop That Gun (DTG) initiative/campaign focuses on unity and the potential for a regeneration, transformation, and rebirth for Nigerian youths. It highlights the need for support from governments, individuals, and the private sector in Nigeria to reform talents often wasted and turned into criminal activities.

To address this issue, the DTG initiative is incorporating powerful dancers as ambassadors to begin the DTG Unity Dance Competition and young talents for the Unity Challenge Fashion Exercise in a bid to flag off a nationwide campaign. The campaign aims to build a Nigeria where there is peace and love between all ethnic groups, encourage talents, and eliminate tribalism and religious sentiments. The goal is to create a Nigeria that encourages talented youths for a better future.

The campaign has been in incubation since 2021 and has been presented to the EFCC for scrutiny with assurances that if the federal government invests in the project, the empowerment of youths will be done in transparency. However, in this context, politics have influenced the project’s success; there are also issues of tribalism and religious sentiments. The nationwide campaign aims to make it known that promoting unity rather than interfering with unity is a noteworthy virtue which is in accordance with the mission and vision for the DTG initiative.

Speaking at a press conference held in LCCI Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, September 26th, 2025, the Chief Strategist, DTG Project LTD, Modestus Bernard, reiterated that unity is the red oil Nigeria needs, and without it, acrimony sets in. He said the ruling class may not support unity, but the people around them should focus on ensuring unity prevails; moreover, the DTG team is seeking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support on the ‘DTG’ initiative.

The campaign, he says, also seeks to understand the policies and body language of the ruling class, which may be misleading. However, it is important to strike a balance between unity and political influence, ensuring that the country’s future is brighter and more prosperous.

In Modesta’s letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he proposes unity and the promotion of social enterprise through fashion, entertainment, and social enterprise with adequate funding of N2,000,000,000 (2bn), estimated to be sufficient to kickstart the project. He highlights that ‘Drop That Gun Project’ is a multifaceted initiative with goals including promoting unity among Nigerians, engaging and empowering youths with jobs and opportunities, and redirecting talent away from crime towards creativity.

As a sign of leadership that transcends regional identities, the DTG initiators implore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the 65th Nigeria Independence Day Celebration is centred on unity. According to Modesta, adopting unity-inspired attire as a symbol of leadership transcending regional identities should be considered and further applied.

Modesta frames divisiveness as a fundamental problem impeding national progress and contends that unity is a powerful remedy for Nigeria’s challenges, such as young despondency, poverty, and insecurity.

In addition, Modesta pointed out that the DTG Fashion Challenge seeks to create jobs and produce a lot of turnover; thus, it is crucial to provide transparency through EFCC oversight after the 2 billion loan request to fund the DTG initiative. There has reportedly been no reaction to the prior letter announcing the DTG initiative and requesting funds from the president; calls on the federal government to move forward with the project.

Mrs Omolara Faboyede – DTG Women of Peace – noted at the conference that Nigerians are faced with challenges such as hunger, unemployment, and crime. However, unity is seen as the real oil, as it creates jobs, inspires creativity, and makes crime unattractive. She noted that everyone, including celebrities, musicians, actors, comedians, athletes, and media personalities, is an influencer. Celebrities must rise to promote unity, creativity, and hope and help champion a society where disunity and crime are not glorified but relegated to the floor.

She said,

“The Drop That Gun (DTG) Project will unveil the Unity Challenge Fashion Exercise, inviting celebrities and influencers to wear a message that Unity Is The Real Oil. Participation will inspire millions, create jobs for young Nigerians, open doors to creativity, and silence the call of disunity and crime. Together, Nigeria can build a nation where unity becomes its culture, youth empowerment becomes pride, creativity becomes a global export, and crime is no longer attractive.”

Emasa Onome Beauty, a young mother raising her son Vigour, lent her voice against the increasing number of Nigerian youths being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for financial crimes. She believes that prevention is better than cure and that arrest and prosecution cannot solve the crisis alone. In her speech, she noted that the ‘Drop That Gun Project’, a social enterprise, aims to promote unity among Nigerians, create jobs and empowerment for millions of youths, and also make crime unattractive by giving dignity and income through creativity.

Emasa expressed optimism that in 12 months, one million people will wear DTG merchandise, turning over 30 billion Naira in business, and in 24 months, ten million people worldwide will join the DTG Peace Challenge, turning over 450 billion Naira.

Emasa emphasised that the EFCC must be involved in this project to ensure transparency, endorsement, and partnership with the DTG Team. Emasa urges the press to convey the DTG initiative to the EFCC Chairman, stating that Nigerian mothers are watching and that prevention is better than prosecution. She asks for the letter to live in the headlines, reports, and conscience of Nigerian leaders.

At the conference a couple who were discovered by the DTG team have been made ambassadors for their dance talent. It is said that the couple were reformed by the team after they were found pleading to be financially appreciated following their performance at a restaurant in Lagos. The DTG team took the initiative to create a reform for the talented couple by giving them an ambassadorial appointment as the official leaders of the Unity dance competition meant to foster unity.