. Enlists public support for drug war in keynote speech at Island Club Business Forum

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged the Nigerian elites to key into the whole-of-society strategy by the NDLEA to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa gave the charge in his keynote speech at the Island Club Business Forum in Lagos on Tuesday 19th November 2024. According to him, “This is not a challenge for government alone. All of us are stakeholders on this issue and it is an assignment for all Nigerians. The standard whole-of-society approach to the drug issue is such that everyone is a stakeholder. The future of Nigeria belongs to us all.

“As we are doing our bit at NDLEA, we expect society to complement our efforts by taking a huge role in preventing the young ones from falling into situations that encourage experimentation with drugs, whether licit or illicit. Every one of us has a role to play, and the simplest role is one of advocacy.

By spreading the message, we can all become anti-drug abuse advocates. Spreading the word about the dangers of misuse of drugs can go a long way in shielding more lives from the ruins of illicit drugs. The Island Club can also join in this effort to safeguard the wellbeing of our society from the drug menace.”

He told the gathering of business leaders, students and parents that since the retooling of NDLEA three years ago after he assumed leadership, the Agency has ramped up its drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts leading to significant results, adding that the call for everyone to support the ongoing effort has become imperative because of the forecast by UNODC in 2021 World Drug Report that drug use in Africa will rise by 40% in Year 2030 especially among those within 25-29 and 30-34 age groups as a result of population growth.

“By and large, the outlook of the future will depend on our action or inaction at curbing the drug abuse trend. I, being an optimist, believe the future favours Nigeria―only if we get the matrix right. A lot has been said about the future belonging to Africa. Indeed, the potential is glaring, when you factor in the continent’s burgeoning youth population, the digital aptitude of the younger generation and the enterprising spirit of young people.

“But a lot of work has to go into the making of that vision. If we read the statistics correctly, the world’s biggest drug problem of the future could be in Africa. So, the future could be bright or bleak; it could be one of boom or gloom; it could be decades of prosperity or problems depending on the amount of work we are willing to do today. Tomorrow, the saying goes, belongs to the people who prepare for it today”, he stated.

He said the enormity of the problem is further reflected by the anti-drug activities of the NDLEA in the past three years. “In just three years, we have arrested 52, 901 traffickers, including 52 barons, and 9, 034 have been convicted. The barons we have arrested are not anonymous people in society. They include big business people and socialites—some of them have chieftaincy titles—and also government officials, including those tasked with maintaining law and order. That tells how deeply the rot had eaten into the fabric of our society. Within the period, we have seized 8.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms”, the NDLEA boss added.

Other invited guests who spoke on the menace of drug abuse at the forum include: Prof Harry Ladapo, a consultant psychiatrist and Prof Lere Baale, President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Island Club, Omoba Rotimi Olasode Martins acknowledged Marwa’s unwavering commitment to combating drug abuse adding that “his wealth of experience in tackling this scourge inspire us all.”

He described “drug abuse as a menace that has infiltrated every layer of our society, threatening our youth, destabilizing families, and undermining the socio-economic fabric of our nation.”

“Today, we are gathered not only to discuss its devastating impact but, more importantly, to explore practical, sustainable solutions to this epidemic. This event exemplifies what Island Club has stood for since its inception – a hub for meaningful discourse, community engagement, and solutions-driven dialogue.

“As we embark on this journey today, let us remember that the fight against drug abuse is not just about enforcement or legislation, it is about building a society that offers hope, opportunities, and support to its citizens.

Together, we can create a Nigeria where our young people can thrive, free from the shadows of addiction”, he added.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has taken responsibility for Nigeria’s surprising 2-1 defeat to the Amavubi of Rwanda in their final 2025.

AFCON qualifier on Monday, November 18.

The match, hosted at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw Nigeria initially take the lead through a stunning effort by Samuel Chukwueze. However, defensive lapses led to Rwanda equalizing with a free kick and eventually scoring a decisive second goal due to poor defensive coordination.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Troost-Ekong expressed his disappointment in the defensive performance, particularly his role as a leader at the back. “As captain and the last man in defence, I know we should have done better. I take full responsibility for our shortcomings,” he admitted.

He also highlighted the challenge posed by set-piece situations, which proved critical in the game. “Set pieces can trouble any team, and unfortunately, they cost us today. But I acknowledge that as a team leader, I need to ensure more defensive stability,” Troost-Ekong added.

The Super Eagles’ unexpected defeat has sparked discussions about their preparation and squad composition ahead of the upcoming AFCON tournament.

The federal government has been urged to implement the same-s3x marriage prohibition Act of 2013 to enforce deterrence.

The National President, Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, Rt. Hon Commander Steve Adehi stated this on the backdrop of brewing transgender individuals in Nigeria, citing Okuneye Idris popularly known as Bobrisky.

The president stressed this during the press conference in commemoration of the 16th Annual National Conference of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN), themed, ‘Living an Authentic Catholic Life: Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’.

“Well, the position of the Church is very clear. We are against all those forms and those types of living. A man carrying out himself to be like a woman, or a woman living like a man. These are all the things that we are complaining about.

“And men trying to be like women and all that. The Church condemns it in its entirety. Which means, we condemn what this young man is doing. And we condemn other people who live, who also live differently from what God has given to them as their s3x,” he said.

He identified lack of training as the bane of poor leadership, urging the federal and sub-national governments to imbibe Catholic social teachings as preconditions for becoming leaders.