Marwa charges elites to join crusade against substance
abuse, drug trafficking
. Enlists public support for drug war in keynote
speech at Island Club Business Forum
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged the
Nigerian elites to key into the whole-of-society strategy by the NDLEA to curb
the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
Marwa gave the charge in his keynote speech at the
Island Club Business Forum in Lagos on Tuesday 19th November 2024. According to
him, “This is not a challenge for
government alone. All of us are stakeholders on this issue and it is an
assignment for all Nigerians. The standard whole-of-society approach to the
drug issue is such that everyone is a stakeholder. The future of Nigeria
belongs to us all.
“As we are doing our bit at NDLEA, we expect society
to complement our efforts by taking a huge role in preventing the young ones
from falling into situations that encourage experimentation with drugs, whether
licit or illicit. Every one of us has a role to play, and the simplest role is
one of advocacy. By spreading the message, we can all become anti-drug abuse
advocates. Spreading the word about the dangers of misuse of drugs can go a
long way in shielding more lives from the ruins of illicit drugs. The Island
Club can also join in this effort to safeguard the wellbeing of our society
from the drug menace.”
He told the gathering of business leaders, students
and parents that since the retooling of NDLEA three years ago after he assumed
leadership, the Agency has ramped up its drug demand reduction and drug supply
reduction efforts leading to significant results, adding that the call for
everyone to support the ongoing effort has become imperative because of the
forecast by UNODC in 2021 World Drug Report that drug use in Africa will rise
by 40% in Year 2030 especially among those within 25-29 and 30-34 age groups as
a result of population growth.
“By and large, the outlook of the future will depend
on our action or inaction at curbing the drug abuse trend. I, being an
optimist, believe the future favours Nigeria?only if we get the matrix right. A
lot has been said about the future belonging to Africa. Indeed, the potential
is glaring, when you factor in the continent’s burgeoning youth population, the
digital aptitude of the younger generation and the enterprising spirit of young
people.
“But a lot of work has to go into the making of that
vision. If we read the statistics correctly, the world’s biggest drug problem
of the future could be in Africa. So, the future could be bright or bleak; it
could be one of boom or gloom; it could be decades of prosperity or problems
depending on the amount of work we are willing to do today. Tomorrow, the
saying goes, belongs to the people who prepare for it today”, he stated.
He said the enormity of the problem is further
reflected by the anti-drug activities of the NDLEA in the past three years. “In
just three years, we have arrested 52, 901 traffickers, including 52 barons,
and 9, 034 have been convicted. The barons we have arrested are not anonymous
people in society. They include big business people and socialites—some of them
have chieftaincy titles—and also government officials, including those tasked
with maintaining law and order. That tells how deeply the rot had eaten into
the fabric of our society. Within the period, we have seized 8.6 million
kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis
farms”, the NDLEA boss added.
Other invited guests who spoke on the menace of drug
abuse at the forum include: Prof Harry Ladapo, a consultant psychiatrist and
Prof Lere Baale, President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Island Club,
Omoba Rotimi Olasode Martins acknowledged Marwa’s unwavering commitment to
combating drug abuse adding that “his wealth of experience in tackling this
scourge inspire us all.” He described “drug abuse as a menace that has
infiltrated every layer of our society, threatening our youth, destabilizing
families, and undermining the socio-economic fabric of our nation.”
“Today, we are gathered not only to discuss its
devastating impact but, more importantly, to explore practical, sustainable
solutions to this epidemic. This event exemplifies what Island Club has stood
for since its inception – a hub for meaningful discourse, community engagement,
and solutions-driven dialogue.
“As we embark on this journey today, let us remember that the fight against drug abuse is not just about enforcement or legislation, it is about building a society that offers hope, opportunities, and support to its citizens. Together, we can create a Nigeria where our young people can thrive, free from the shadows of addiction”, he added.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday 19th November 2024
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