The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of skills acquisition and empowerment opportunities as a strategic safeguard against substance abuse and other social vices.
Maria gave the charge on Thursday while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental Organisation, in Abuja
He said equipping young people with practical skills was critical to reducing vulnerability to drugs, crime and unemployment.
He noted that the programme complements ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to train and empower 10,000 youths nationwide under various skills acquisition and employment initiatives designed to address unemployment, poverty and social exclusion.
According to him, these government-backed programmes focus on practical vocational training, entrepreneurship support and job creation as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at securing the future of young Nigerians and strengthening national stability.
Expressing satisfaction with the Grassroots Bridge Builders initiative, Marwa said it aligns with the administration’s focus on youth empowerment, job creation 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, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse and general crime,” he said, adding that such initiatives deserve national recognition.
He described the programme as more than charity, noting that it represents capacity building, character development and long-term prevention against drug abuse and its damaging consequences on society.
Marwa stressed that government alone cannot solve all societal challenges, particularly drug abuse and related crimes, and called on other non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, community leaders and the private sector to replicate similar interventions.
He also encouraged stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in designing and implementing programmes that provide youths with skills, dignity and purpose, noting that prevention is most effective when communities, organisations and government work together.
Addressing young participants at the event, Marwa said: “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 like this, stay away from drugs and invest in yourselves and the country.”
While congratulating Grassroots Bridge Builders for promoting youth development, Marwa reaffirmed the NDLEA’s support for genuine, non-partisan initiatives that advance skills acquisition, youth empowerment and drug-free communities in line with national objectives.
