By Nkechi Eze
Nigerian youths have been urged to embrace skills acquisition and empowerment opportunities as a sustainable pathway to personal development and a critical safeguard against substance abuse and other social vices.
In an official signed statement, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), gave the charge while delivering remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation, in Abuja on Thursday, 5 February 2026.
Marwa expressed delight that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, skills acquisition, job creation and social inclusion. He described the training of 10,000 young Nigerians in practical skills as a major contribution to national development efforts.
“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 the NDLEA boss, the programme goes beyond charity, stressing that it represents capacity building, character development, future protection and a strong preventive measure against drug abuse and its devastating consequences on young people and society at large.
Marwa noted that government alone cannot solve all societal problems, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse and associated crimes requires collective responsibility. He used the platform to call on other non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, community leaders, the private sector and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the initiative.
He further encouraged stakeholders to partner with NDLEA in designing and implementing programmes that provide young people with skills, dignity, purpose and a sense of belonging, stressing that prevention is most effective when communities, organisations and government work together.
Addressing the youths directly, Marwa said: “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.”
While congratulating Grassroots Bridge Builders for demonstrating that empowering young people remains the most sustainable way to secure Nigeria’s future, Marwa assured of his support for all genuine, non-partisan initiatives that promote youth development, skills acquisition and drug-free communities in line with national objectives.
