The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has expressed its preparedness to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, by providing rehabilitation and skills acquisition for Nigerian youths afflicted by the scourge of substance abuse.
The ministry is also working out strategies on raising awareness particularly among the youths on the dangers and consequencies of the menace not only to their growth and welbeing but to the nation
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim gave the assurance when she paid a visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja to discuss areas of collaboration between her ministry and the anti-narcotic body.
Marwa had in his remarks painted a grim picture of the drug situation in Nigeria especially as it affects the youth population.
While stressing the urgent need for all stakeholders in particular Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to strengthen partnership with a view to curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, nhe pointed at the strong nexus between drug abuse and security challenges facing the country.
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The NDLEA boss noted with appreciation the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty and make life meaningful for the generality of citizens.
Marwa said “the benefits would sooner than later create more jobs for the good of youths and ultimately discourage most of them from going into substance abuse.
“We foresee partnerships for instance between NDLEA and Ministry of Youth Development as well as Federal Ministry of Agriculture as one capable of not only curbing drug abuse but also creating millions of jobs and providing food sufficiency for the nation”, he said.
The Minister had earlier said she came on the visit to seek collaboration with NDLEA on advocacy and strengthening grassroots awareness especially among youths on dangers of substance abuse.
She said the visit was also aimed at getting counselling on rehabilitation for young Nigerians struggling with drug abuse or addiction and providing skills acquisition for youths undergoing rehabilitation in NDLEA facilities.
Bio-Ibrahim expressed optimism that the National Youth Development Bank that will soon be launched by the Federal Government to empower Nigerian youths could also serve as a channel for rehabilitated young Nigerians.
“It would enable them get funding for beneficial endeavours based on skills acquired during rehabilitation so that they won’t go back to the same environment and situations that led them into substance abuse” she said.
