From Umar Dankano, Yola
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in partnership with JEJE Riders Nigeria, has launched a nationwide anti-drug abuse campaign in Adamawa State.
The event, held over the weekend at Capital School, Yola, brought together students, national and international power bike riders, comedians, citizens, and notable figures from Adamawa and across Nigeria.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, General Mohammed Buba Marwa, in a speech delivered by the NDLEA State Commander, Femi S. Agboalu, emphasized the agency’s dedication to protecting young people from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
He highlighted the urgency of the campaign, noting the rising prevalence of drug abuse in the country.
Marwa commended the JEJE Riders for their active role in combating drug abuse in communities.
Marwa expressed concern over the high rate of drug use among young people in Nigeria, citing statistics that over 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 have used drugs at least once in their lifetime.
“The 2018 National Drug Use Survey, conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), revealed that Adamawa State had approximately 370,000 drug users, representing a 17% annual prevalence,” Marwa stated.
He urged students and young people to avoid drug abuse, stressing that it can easily ruin lives, and called the flag-off of the campaign the beginning of a journey to reclaim the future from the grip of addiction.
JEJE Riders’ President, Mr. Ibrahim Mathew Tizhe, spoke on the organization’s commitment to youth development and humanitarian efforts.
He encouraged young people to avoid distractions from social vices, particularly drug abuse, and to focus on building a meaningful future through education. He warned that drug abuse can derail one’s life entirely.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling drug abuse and pledged ongoing support for the campaign.
Represented by the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, Fintiri highlighted the dangers of drug abuse among youth and urged students to steer clear of the practice.
He also praised JEJE Riders for mobilizing their members from Nigeria and other African countries, recognizing that drug abuse is a global challenge.
The event featured award presentations to campaign sponsors and JEJE Riders members from other African nations, as well as a comedy performance by Sarkin Dariya and Lady Blessing, who used humor to address the issue of drug abuse.
