Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, has charged Nigerian youths to leverage skills acquisition and government-led empowerment programmes. He emphasized that vocational proficiency and economic independence serve as critical safeguards against the traps of substance abuse and social vices.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, detailed the Chairman’s recent charge to Nigerian youths. Serving as the Special Guest of Honour in Abuja, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) delivered the remarks at the official launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition initiative organized by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a prominent non-governmental organization.
Highlighting the synergy between the initiative and the presidency, Marwa noted that the programme perfectly reflects President Bola Tinubu’s vision for youth empowerment and social inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda:
“Training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes”, he stated, adding that “initiatives such as this one by Grassroots Bridge Builders deserve national applause.”
According to him, “what this organization is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences on our youth and the larger society.”
He emphasized that the task of national development exceeds the capacity of government alone, requiring a collaborative approach to address society’s most pressing challenges.
“ The fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business. That is why I wish to use this platform to call on other NGOs, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, community leaders, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate this initiative.”
While encouraging a united front, the NDLEA Chairman urged partners to help create a future where youths are defined by their skills and dignity rather than social vices. Marwa stressed that the best defense against drug abuse is a collective commitment to youth empowerment, noting that when communities and government work together, prevention thrives:
“To the young people here today, I want to say this clearly: you are not a problem to be managed; you are a solution to be empowered. Your talents, creativity, and resilience are needed to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria. Embrace opportunities such as this, stay away from drugs, and invest in yourselves and the country”.
He congratulated the Grassroots Bridge Builders for proving that youth investment is Nigeria’s best security strategy. The Chairman further assured his backing for all transparent, non-partisan projects that promote empowerment and substance abuse prevention in line with the government’s strategic objectives.
