The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retired), has called on youths in Nigeria to embrace skills acquisition and empowerment programmes as a critical defence against substance abuse, unemployment, and rising social vices.
He made the call during the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Marwa described the initiative as a concrete contribution to Nigeria’s national development agenda, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, job creation, skills development, and social inclusion.
“Training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts,” Marwa said.
“It complements national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes.”
He stressed that youth-focused interventions are increasingly seen worldwide as preventive tools against drug dependency and insecurity, noting that empowerment is more effective than enforcement alone.
“What this organisation is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences,” he added.
Marwa underlined that governments cannot tackle drug abuse and youth-related crimes in isolation, urging broader collaboration across society.
“The fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business,” he said, calling on civil society groups, faith-based organisations, community leaders, the private sector, and concerned citizens to replicate similar initiatives.
He also invited stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in designing community-based programmes that give young people skills, dignity, purpose, and a sense of belonging, noting that global best practices show prevention works best through collective action.
Addressing the youths directly, Marwa delivered a message of reassurance and responsibility, “You are not a problem to be managed; you are a solution to be empowered. Your talents, creativity, and resilience are needed to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria.”
He urged them to embrace empowerment opportunities, stay away from drugs, and invest in themselves and their country.
The NDLEA chairman commended Grassroots Bridge Builders for demonstrating that youth empowerment remains the most sustainable pathway to national stability and development, and pledged continued support for non-partisan initiatives that promote skills acquisition, youth development, and drug-free communities in line with Nigeria’s national objectives.