Marwa Calls for Stronger Advocacy Against Drug Abuse as NDLEA Opens FM Station

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has urged Nigerians to resist what he described as a toxic pop culture that glamorises drug abuse among youths.

In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday, Marwa made the call during the commissioning of the agency’s radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, in Abuja.

He said the station was established to strengthen public enlightenment and support the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign aimed at preventing substance abuse through education and awareness.

According to him, while enforcement operations remain important, education and prevention are critical to winning the fight against drug abuse.

The NDLEA boss warned that substance abusefuels insecurity, weakens public health and threatens national productivity, stressing the need to counter narratives promoting illicit drug use.

He described Clean Beat 91.5FM as a platform that would promote sobriety, share recovery stories and provide accurate information on the dangers of drug abuse.

Marwa commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the National Broadcasting Commission and other partners for supporting the establishment of the station.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the National Broadcasting Commission and the National Orientation Agency also commended the initiative, describing it as a strategic platform for public education, youth engagement and behavioural change in the fight against substance abuse.