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By Ibironke Ariyo
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, says tackling substance abuse, drug trafficking and related social vices must be a shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
Marwa stated this in his keynote address at the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Conference (SAEMA 2025) hosted at the NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual event was held in collaboration with the Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS).
The event also witnessed the presentation of a book: Anti-Drug, Anti-Smuggling Campaigns; A Corpers’ Chronicle written by two youth corps members: Arafat Abdulrazaq and Tahir Ahmad.
Marwa assured that the agency would build on the successes of the last five years during his second tenure with aggressive interdictions and compassionate treatment, rehabilitation and prevention programmes.
“The task before us, which is securing our nation is a shared responsibility.
“The awards presented today are a reminder that all security agencies, emergency responders, and civil society partners are working towards the same goal: a safe, stable, and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
The NDLEA boss reiterated the agency’s commitment to the cause, determined to build on the successes of the past few years.
“We will continue to adopt a balanced approach placing equal emphasis on Supply Reduction through aggressive interdiction and Demand Reduction through compassionate treatment and prevention.
“This menace demands a multi-sectoral response involving law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, educators, the media, and the entire community.
“This is why I can’t but commend IMPR and its partners for this initiative as well as choosing “Drug Control and National Security: Innovations for a Safer Tomorrow” as the theme for SAEMA 2025,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani commended Marwa for providing good leadership for NDLEA.
Rafsanjani lauded Marwa in helping to redeem and reform the country from people that were determined to destroy the young people of Nigeria.
“His work, you can see it every day. Every day we hear drugs being intercepted and taken out from the hands of the public.
“The incredible amount of work that Gen. Marwa is doing to this country, I don’t think people have even sat down to reflect.
“Because if you see the danger that our young people have been going through as a result of taking drugs, it’s incredible.
“Equally important, we know that there’s no way you can also detach issues of drugs abuse with the issues of security in this country,” he maintained.
Rafsanjani said the award ceremony was a recognition to the people who had been making sacrifices in this country.
He added that a lot of security personnel were making huge sacrifices for the country, for everyone to live in peace saying “sadly, many of them have died and not much appreciation from the public.
“So for us as an organisation, we appreciate the tremendous work that our security personnel are doing in this country.
“And we will continue to support every effort to boost their morale, to give them the necessary credible information so that they can continue to make this country safe and better for us.
“Both at the level of Amnesty International, which I chair the board, Transparency International, which I head, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, which I also head.
“We’re all in this solidarity and support to the tremendous effort that our security personnel are putting in this country.
“And we will continue to support them and we will continue to ensure that we urge other Nigerians to also do the same,” he emphasised.
Also Speaking, the MD/Editor-in-Chief, PRNigeria and Emergency Digest, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, described the 7th SAEMA as a platform that celebrated exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s safety and security architecture.
Shuaib said SAEMA had continued to recognise individuals and organisations demonstrating courage and excellence in security and emergency management.
He said the 2025 edition was significant as it came shortly after the reappointment of NDLEA Chairman and the inauguration of the agency’s new corporate headquarters.
He said Marwa’s leadership had transformed Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign, dismantling cartels and pursuing previously “untouchable” traffickers, while strengthening rehabilitation, public education, training and technology across the agency.
“NDLEA’s renewed credibility has elevated Nigeria’s global reputation in narcotics control,” he emphasised.
The co-authors, Arafat and Tahir, expressed gratitude to IMPR for publishing their work and to their organisations for mentorship and support during their service year.
They said covering the activities of NDLEA and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) deepened their understanding of the fight against drug trafficking and smuggling, and inspired them to contribute through research and writing.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of ‘Outstanding Personality of the Year’ award to Marwa and ‘Outstanding Crisis Communicator of the Year’ award to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
Other individuals and agencies honoured included the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Nigerian Army, Airforce, FRSC, NCS, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, and NCoS among others.
The book was reviewed by Dr Sule Sule, Chairman of IMPR, and presented by retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade of the Centre for Crisis Communication. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
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