In a significant move towards combating the alarming rise of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has affirmed its commitment to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, conveyed this assurance during her meeting with Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
According to Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja. Femi Babafemi, during the discussion, Gen. Marwa painted a sobering picture of the drug situation in Nigeria, particularly its impact on the youth population. Emphasizing the urgent need for collaboration across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), he underscored the crucial link between drug abuse and the prevailing security challenges in the country.
Expressing appreciation for the administration’s renewed hope agenda, Gen. Marwa highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty. He envisioned partnerships between NDLEA and key ministries, such as Youth Development and Agriculture, as pivotal not only in curbing drug abuse but also in creating employment opportunities and ensuring food sufficiency for the nation.
Minister Jamila Bio Ibrahim, in her address, outlined the objectives of her visit, focusing on collaboration with NDLEA in advocacy, grassroots awareness, counseling, and rehabilitation for young Nigerians grappling with drug abuse. She also stressed the importance of providing skills acquisition opportunities for rehabilitated youths, aligning with the impending launch of the National Youth Development Bank. This bank, she proposed, could serve as a vital channel for funding endeavors based on skills acquired during rehabilitation, preventing relapse into environments that led to substance abuse.
The partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and NDLEA is poised to address the multifaceted challenges posed by substance abuse among Nigerian youths. The collaboration aims not only to raise awareness but also to provide comprehensive support through rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and avenues for sustainable empowerment. The NDLEA, under the leadership of Gen. Marwa, has expressed its commitment to working in tandem with the Ministry to achieve these vital objectives.
