Defence
THE Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has charged religious bodies and leaders to make the campaign against drug abuse a constant feature in their sermons and evangelical activities.
Marwa gave the charge when he received a delegation from the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, (JIBWIS), led by its Chairman, Sheik Abdullahi Bala-Lau, on Friday in Abuja.
The NDLEA chairman said such sermons would save millions of Nigerian youths who were being destroyed as a result of drug abuse and addiction, and also prevent many others from slipping into the scourge.
He appreciated the JIBWIBS leadership for their advocacy campaigns against drug abuse through their various platforms.
The NDLEA boss expressed concerns that millions of young Nigerians were already grappling with substance abuse and its consequences.
He said that stakeholders were needed to mobilise preventive measures that would save those not yet afflicted by the scourge.
“I will like to seize this medium to appeal to our religious bodies, the two major faiths and other faith based organisations, to join in this effort being coordinated by NDLEA.
“Also, ensure that anti-drug abuse messages feature constantly in their sermons and other evangelical activities,” he said.
Marwa expressed happiness about JIBWIS’ decision to establish a rehabilitation centre in Kaduna.
“We are glad about your choice of Kaduna, because Governor Nasir el-Rufai is passionate about the drug war, and has done a lot to transform the state,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Sheik Lau congratulated Marwa for the series of well-deserved recognitions and awards he had been getting due to his outstanding performance at the NDLEA.
According to him, the entire Muslim Umma and bodies in Nigeria, appreciate what Marwa is doing.
“We are ever ready to support this agency to save our youths from destruction by drugs,” he said.
Lau expressed the determination of the sect to establish a rehabilitation centre in Kaduna, to further support the work of the Agency.
“Apart from this, we have more than 9,000 Jummat Mosques and 56,000 non-Jummat mosques across the country, through which we will continue to preach to our teeming youths to be good ambassadors of Nigeria,” the clergyman said. (NAN)
KN
Tags: Gen. Buba Marwa NDLEA
