Major stakeholders, including First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), have urged state governments to prioritise the fight against substance abuse in their strategic work plans.
They gave the charge, yesterday, at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on Drug Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC), organised by NDLEA for spouses of state governors in Abuja.
In her address, Tinubu, who was the special guest of honour, called on states to see the war against drugs as a collective effort. The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Elizabeth Egbetokun, commended Marwa and the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum for the initiative.
“I commend the NDLEA for organising this vital training and for ongoing efforts in combating drug abuse in Nigeria. I equally commend the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, for this significant collaboration,” she said.
According to her, people must recognise that drug abuse is not just a law enforcement issue but a public health crisis that requires a compassionate and multi-faceted response.
“We must challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with addiction, and foster a culture of empathy, understanding and solidarity towards those struggling with substance use disorders.
“As mothers, we understand the profound impact that drug abuse can have on our children’s lives. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to protect, nurture, and guide them towards a future free from the shackles of addiction.
“As leaders in your respective states, you wield a unique platform to drive meaningful change. The role of governors’ spouses in combating drug abuse cannot be overstated. Through advocacy, we can ensure access to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those affected by addiction,” she said.
The First Lady added: “However, our efforts must not end with this training. We must translate knowledge into action, collaborating with stakeholders such as the NDLEA, other government agencies, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, educators, and students. Together, we can implement evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment approaches.”
In his remarks, Fagbemi commended the NDLEA leadership for using the forum to cascade the drug war to the grassroots, stressing: “The issue of drug use is not confined to any region or social strata, but affects every corner of our nation, and propagates crime and other criminalities across the world. The critical role of the attendees in shaping policies and practices in the communities is therefore recognised.”
Earlier, the NDLEA boss said the devastating effects of substance abuse on public health, the environment, and its nexus with the spate of insecurity across the country has made it mandatory for a whole-of-society approach to curb the scourge.
He said this has been the focus of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy emplaced by NDLEA since 2021. He urged the governors’ wives to take advantage of their positions to mobilise support for drug prevention and treatment in their states.
Marwa said: “Our commanders and officers in your states are always available to work with you and the governors. Please, create the needed access for them, so that they can serve you and the society better.
“Together, we can carry out meaningful change and create healthier, safer communities for all. Your collective effort can become the biggest catalyst for the nation to triumph over the illicit drug challenge.”
Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, emphasised the pivotal role of First Ladies in the fight against substance abuse. She also assured of collaboration between the ministry and NDLEA in combating abuse among students.”
