Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on Nigerian youths to take the lead as intellectual ambassadors and advocates in the national campaign against drug abuse.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 2nd Peace Magazine Honour Roll Ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, Marwa congratulated the First-Class university graduates honoured at the event, commending their academic excellence and urging them to channel their intellect and discipline into rebuilding the nation.
“Your achievements today are not just academic milestones; they represent the promise of a better Nigeria,” Marwa said. “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.”
Describing substance abuse as “a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s human capital and future,” Marwa lamented the growing rate of drug misuse among young people.
“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 collective future,” he warned.
The NDLEA boss urged the awardees to use their influence and intellectual credibility to promote abstinence and responsible living within their communities.
“With your academic attainment, when you speak, your peers, siblings, and community members listen. Use your success story as proof that diligence and focus—not stimulants—are the true keys to distinction,” Marwa said. “Help us dispel the myths that drugs enhance creativity or relieve pressure. True success comes from a clear mind, not chemical intoxication.”
He encouraged the graduates to serve as NDLEA Advocates of Excellence and Champions of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), the Agency’s nationwide social advocacy initiative.
“The fight against drug abuse must be a collective one—a whole-of-society effort,” he said. “While we continue to dismantle cartels and arrest traffickers, you must help us reduce demand through advocacy and positive influence.”
Marwa also commended the organisers, Peace Magazine, for sustaining a platform that celebrates academic distinction, describing it as a “powerful counter-narrative to social decay.”
