The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on Nigerian youths to rise as intellectual ambassadors and advocates in the ongoing fight against drug abuse.
Marwa made this call while addressing First Class university graduates from across the country at the 2nd Peace Magazine Honour Roll Ceremony, held October 28, in Abuja, where he served as the Special Guest of Honour.
He also congratulated the awardees for their outstanding academic achievements, urged them to channel their brilliance and discipline into building a prosperous and drug-free Nigeria.
“Your achievements today are not just academic milestones; they represent the promise of a better Nigeria. But that promise can only be fulfilled if you remain steadfast, disciplined, and drug-free. Drug abuse is the biggest saboteur of destiny and the enemy of excellence,” he said.
Marwa lamented the increasing prevalence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, describing it as a “clear and present danger” to the nation’s human capital development and collective future. “We are witnessing first-hand how illicit drugs derail futures, extinguish dreams, and lead talented youths down a path of mental instability, crime, and premature death. Drug abuse is not just a social problem; it is a national threat that undermines our future,” he stressed.
He urged the celebrated graduates to use their intellectual influence and social standing to promote abstinence and responsible living within their circles. “When you speak, your younger siblings, friends, and community members listen. Use your success story as a tool to preach abstinence. Let them know that true success comes from a clear mind, not chemical intoxication. Your achievement today is proof that diligence and focus,not stimulants, are the real keys to distinction,” he added.
Marwa also encouraged the graduates to serve as NDLEA Advocates of Excellence and Champions of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a national social advocacy initiative of the agency. “The fight against drug abuse must be a collective one, a whole-of-society effort. While we at NDLEA continue to cut off supply by dismantling cartels and arresting traffickers, you must help us reduce demand through advocacy and positive influence,” he urged.
He further commended the organisers of the event, for creating a platform that celebrates academic distinction and excellence, noting that it is a powerful counter-narrative to social decay.
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