Agency Warns Youths Against Substance Abuse, Urges Skills Acquisition

Chairman/chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has urged Nigerian youths to embrace skills acquisition and other empowerment opportunities provided in various intervention programmes offered by government and other stakeholders as a safeguard against falling into the trap of substance abuse and other social vices.

Marwa gave the admonition in his remarks as the special guest of honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation, in Abuja, yesterday.

He expressed happiness that the programme aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, job creation, and social inclusion.

According to him, “Training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes.

“Initiatives such as this one by Grassroots Bridge Builders deserve national applause.”

While applauding the organization for the event, Marwa said, “What this organization is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences on our youth and the larger society.”

He noted that government alone cannot solve all of society’s problems, noting that “The fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business. That is why I wish to use this platform to call on other NGOs, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, community leaders, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate this initiative.”

He encouraged stakeholders to partner with NDLEA to design and implement programmes that give youth skills, dignity, purpose, and a sense of belonging, stressing that prevention works best when communities, organizations, and government collaborate.

“To the young people here today, I want to say this clearly: 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. Embrace opportunities such as this, stay away from drugs, and invest in yourselves and the country”, he stated.