Metro
Vision of Drug-Free Nigeria is Achievable, Marwa Tells Participants at NOMA Capacity Workshop
- /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG-20260626-WA0069-1000x600.jpg&description=Vision of Drug-Free Nigeria is Achievable, Marwa Tells Participants at NOMA Capacity Workshop', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 69
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG-20260626-WA0069-1000x600.jpg&description=Vision of Drug-Free Nigeria is Achievable, Marwa Tells Participants at NOMA Capacity Workshop', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has re-emphasized calls for strategic partners with media practitioners to fight against drug abuse, warning that the country remains at the centre of a growing drug crisis that requires urgent and collective action.
Marwa, who was represented by Mrs. Rita Geh, a Deputy Director in the agency, made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at the Media Capacity Building Programme organized by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA), in Lagos, to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event, which brought together journalists, public health experts, anti-drug advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to examine the role of the media in preventing substance abuse and promoting advocacy, was held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba on Thursday 25th June, 2026, and themed: “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy.”
The NDLEA boss described media professionals as “shapers of perception, architects of public opinion, and indispensable partners in national development,” emphasizing that the fight against drug abuse cannot be won through law enforcement alone.
According to him, Africa faces a particularly alarming drug challenge, with projections indicating that drug use on the continent could increase by as much as 40 per cent by 2030, compared to a relatively modest rise globally.
“Nigeria, by virtue of its population and strategic position, sits at the centre of this challenge. The 2018 national drug use survey showed that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians use drugs, compared to the global average of 5.6 per cent. This is not a statistic we can afford to ignore,” he said.
Marwa stressed that while enforcement remains a critical component of the anti-drug campaign, sustainable success depends on prevention, education, advocacy, and community involvement.
He noted that under his leadership, the NDLEA has adopted a balanced strategy that combines supply reduction with demand reduction efforts.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA has recorded more than 77,859 arrests, secured over 14,122 convictions, and seized in excess of 15 million kilograms of illicit substances across the country in recent years.
He further revealed that within the first ten months of 2025 alone, the agency made over 19,000 arrests, secured approximately 3,000 convictions, confiscated millions of kilograms of narcotics, and destroyed large cannabis plantations nationwide.
“These figures represent more than statistics. Behind every arrest, conviction, and seizure are lives saved, families protected, and communities made safer,” he said.
According to the NDLEA chairman, the agency’s operations have also disrupted criminal supply chains and weakened financial networks linked to organized crime and terrorism.
Despite these achievements, Marwa maintained that reducing the demand for drugs remains the ultimate solution to the problem.
“It is in the area of demand reduction that the role of the media becomes indispensable. The narratives journalists create, the stories they choose to tell, and the information they disseminate influence the choices people make, particularly young people,” he said.
The retired military officer urged journalists to prioritize responsible reporting by emphasizing accuracy over sensationalism and public education over entertainment.
He challenged media practitioners to use their platforms to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse while highlighting stories of recovery, resilience, and rehabilitation.
According to him, reporting that focuses solely on criminality and punishment can reinforce stigma, discourage treatment-seeking behaviour, and undermine prevention efforts.
“Responsible media practice means going beyond headlines. It means helping people understand the realities of drug abuse, promoting evidence-based information, and showing that recovery is possible,” Marwa stated.
He also emphasized the media’s watchdog role, encouraging journalists to hold institutions accountable while fostering informed public discourse around drug policy, prevention, and public health interventions.
The NDLEA chairman described the programme’s broader focus on community involvement, media advocacy, and self-consciousness as central to achieving a drug-free society.
“This fight begins with the individual, gains strength from the community, and reaches its widest impact through the media. When these three forces work together, the results can be transformative,” he said.
Marwa called on journalists to actively support national anti-drug campaigns by countering misinformation, promoting healthy lifestyles, and amplifying prevention messages targeted at young people.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration with the media, noting that regular engagement remains essential for public awareness and advocacy.
The NDLEA chairman also highlighted the agency’s ongoing investments in prevention programmes, including school-based sensitization campaigns, community outreach initiatives, rehabilitation services, and the nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
According to him, millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, have already been reached through these interventions.
He further stressed the importance of community participation, urging parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community influencers to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting young people from substance abuse.
“Early education, open conversations, and supportive environments remain our strongest defences against drug abuse. A drug-free Nigeria cannot be achieved without active community involvement and personal responsibility,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the future, Marwa noted that a drug-free Nigeria remains an achievable goal if stakeholders sustain their commitment and continue to work together.
“The vision of a drug-free Nigeria is not a distant dream. It is achievable through commitment, consistency, and collective action. Together, we can build a nation where young people make informed choices and where communities remain safe, productive, and free from the scourge of drugs,” he concluded.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Tuesday reportedly invaded a school in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, kidnapping the school principal, four students, and an ad hoc National Examinations Council (NECO) staff member.
The development was disclosed recently by a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama.
According to him, the incident occurred at a school identified as Government Secondary School (GSS) while students were sitting the ongoing NECO examination.
The armed assailants allegedly stormed the school premises at around 5.25 pm while candidates were in the examination hall.
Makama said: “They abducted four students alongside the principal of the school and an ad hoc NECO official before fleeing to an unknown destination.”
He went on to report that a combined security team immediately launched bush-combing operations, intelligence gathering, and surveillance across the area to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue those still in captivity.
Makama further noted that security sources had confirmed one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts had been intensified to secure the release of the remaining victims.
He concluded that investigations into the incident were ongoing as security agencies tried to restore normality to the area.
A local Islamic teacher in Kano State, Kamal Abdulmumini, risks being sentenced to life imprisonment if found guilty of the alleged rape of four siblings.
Abdulmumini, a tutor at Alhadid Nursery and Primary School, Ungogo Local Government Area is accused of raping twin sisters and two other females, all siblings in the area.
When brought before Justice Suleiman Baba Na Mallam on Tuesday, the prosecutor Barrister Abdullahi Mohammad alleged that the defendant had sexual interactions with the four sisters on different occasions in his office.
The prosecution counsel, who doubles as Director Public Prosecution (DPP) in Kano State Ministry of Justice, told the court that he has five witnesses who are ready to testify on the alleged criminal act.
However, the arraignment eventually stalled when defense counsel, Barrister Nasir Abdurrahman, requested access to facilities and other relevant documents to enable him to prepare his defense.
The defense counsel insisted that until he was granted access to those vital records and evidence, it may be difficult for justice to be served, just as he sought the court to grant his request.
Although, the prosecution counsel did not object the request of the defense, Justice Na Mallam ordered the prosecution to provide the defendant with the necessary materials related to the case.
The court thereby adjourned the matter to October 13 and 14, 2026, for the arraignment and subsequent hearing of Kamal Abdulmumini.
Section 126 of Kano state Penal Code clearly spells out the conditions that can be considered for finding someone guilty of rape. Subsequently, section 127 of the same provisions clearly identified penalties for any one find guilt of rape to include minimum of 14 years imprisonment and maximum of my life in jail without fine.
However, the same offence under the Shari’a Penal Code of Kano State, if found guilty attracts death penalty by stoning.
Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited has reinforced its commitment to community impact through an employee-led blood donation drive in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and Gbagada General Hospital.
Held recently, the initiative extended this year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign, themed “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” It brought together Hydrogen employees in a collective effort to strengthen blood reserves for patients across Lagos State.
The drive recorded strong participation, with employees voluntarily donating blood to support critical healthcare needs, including emergency care, surgical procedures, maternal health, sickle cell treatment, and assistance for accident victims. The contributions will help bolster the state’s blood bank and improve access to life-saving interventions.
Medical teams from LSBTS and Gbagada General Hospital supervised the exercise and engaged participants on the importance of regular voluntary blood donation.
They also addressed common misconceptions, reinforcing the role of consistent donors in maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply.
Dr. Folashade Tawak, Senior Medical Practitioner with the Lagos State Government, commended the initiative
“Voluntary blood donation remains one of the most impactful ways individuals can contribute to saving lives. We commend Hydrogen for driving this initiative and encouraging active employee participation. Efforts like this are critical to sustaining the blood reserves needed for patients in urgent need,” she said.
Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogen, said the initiative reflects the company’s broader purpose.
“At Hydrogen, our responsibility goes beyond building payment infrastructure. We are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.
This drive brings our people together around a cause that directly saves lives, and I am proud of the culture we are building, defined by purpose, compassion, and service,” she noted.
Also speaking, Obinna Ojekwe, Head of Marketing and Communications, highlighted the personal impact of the initiative: “While we enable the seamless movement of value every day, this initiative allowed us to give something more personal. Knowing that a simple act can save lives makes this deeply meaningful, and it reflects the kind of organisation we are proud to be part of.”
The blood donation drive underscores Hydrogen’s commitment to creating value beyond financial transactions by empowering its employees to contribute meaningfully to society. It forms part of the company’s broader 2026 employee volunteering and CSR programme, with additional community-focused initiatives planned throughout the year.
About Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited (Hydrogen) is Africa’s institutional payments infrastructure partner, enabling financial institutions and large organisations to process, move, and settle payments at scale with trust and operational integrity.
Through resilient, Africa-focused infrastructure, Hydrogen helps institutions manage payment complexity, improve efficiency, and deliver reliable services across the continent.
