By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Disturbed by the rising trend of drug promotion in youth culture, social media, and entertainment, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, has called for a united national effort to counter narratives that glamorize substance abuse.
Marwa urged citizens to support the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign during the commissioning of the NDLEA’s new radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, in Abuja on Thursday.
Persecondnews correspondent at the event reports that Marwa described the station as a vital tool for prevention, public education, and behavioral change under the broader WADA initiative.
Highlighting the high stakes of the fight, Marwa warned that failing to challenge harmful narratives around drug use could fuel national insecurity, cripple public health, and ultimately jeopardize Nigeria’s future workforce.
“We will counter the toxic pop-culture that glamourizes drug abuse by replacing it with a vibrant alternative culture that celebrates sobriety, showcases real stories of recovery, and provides accurate, life-saving information,” he said.
The NDLEA boss stressed that the fight against drug abuse must go beyond arrests and seizures to sustained public enlightenment and prevention efforts.
“While enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars. True victory against substance abuse is achieved when we dismantle the demand and conquer the ignorance that lures young people into addiction,” Marwa said.
He said the initiative was designed to deepen conversations on rehabilitation, prevention and social responsibility, while taking anti-drug advocacy directly to communities nationwide.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Office, Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended the initiative, saying it reflects NDLEA’s commitment to combining enforcement with education and dialogue.
“Through this platform, NDLEA is taking the drug control message directly to the people ,into homes, communities, schools and streets,” he said.
Ibanga also disclosed that the UNODC is collaborating with the NDLEA and other stakeholders on the implementation of Nigeria’s second national drug use survey.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, described the initiative as a strategic public interest platform for enlightenment, education and social advocacy.
He said the fight against substance abuse must be treated as a national development imperative.
“The fight against substance abuse is therefore not simply a law enforcement responsibility; it is a national development imperative,” he noted .
In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Bala Musa, also praised the initiative, describing it as a platform for promoting responsible citizenship and positive behavioural change.
Speaking further, the Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the initiative would strengthen public enlightenment and deepen national conversations on drug abuse prevention, rehabilitation and social responsibility.
Persecondnews reports that the event ended with stakeholders reaffirming that the initiative is aimed at strengthening public awareness, improving prevention efforts, and addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse in Nigeria.
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