The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, has cautioned that rising drug abuse among young Nigerians poses one of the gravest threats to the nation’s future.
Marwa gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the kick out drug abuse football sensitisation programme, organised by Richy Gold International Ltd in partnership with the NDLEA.
Commending the initiative, he praised the organisers for using football the world’s most popular sport to positively engage young people and steer them away from destructive habits.
According to him, substances such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, tramadol, codeine mixtures, cocaine, and methamphetamine are being abused in schools, communities, and even sporting circles.
These substances rob young people of their health, potential, and future. The consequences are broken homes, wasted talents, increased crime, violence, and shattered communities, Marwa said.
He stressed that prevention is the best defence, noting that football provides valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, resilience, and focus.
Just as one reckless foul can cost a team a match, one poor choice to experiment with drugs can destroy dreams, ruin careers, and even cut short lives, he added.
Marwa reminded youths that professional footballers maintain their excellence by living drug-free lives, urging them to channel their energy into creativity, hard work, and teamwork.
The NDLEA boss revealed that the agency is strengthening prevention programmes, expanding counselling and rehabilitation for users, and building partnerships with ministries, schools, religious groups, sports organisations, and community leaders.
He called on young people to become advocates in their own spaces by rejecting drugs and influencing their peers positively.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Richy Gold International Ltd, Jude Onwusonye, described the campaign as more than a project, but a clarion call to safeguard the future of Nigerian youths, combat drug abuse, and inspire a healthier, more productive society.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
