By Ibironke Ariyo

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has called for intensified efforts in drug prevention across all sectors of society.

Marwa made the call on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja, during a Jumat prayer held as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the global theme for this year’s World Drug Day is “Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”

The NDLEA boss emphasised that the evidence was clear that prevention was more effective and less costly than rehabilitation.

Marwa said the prayer session was meant to raise awareness, assess progress, and seek divine intervention in the fight against drug abuse.

“The purpose is to create awareness to this global drug problem, review what has happened in the preceding year.

“Also, to locate gaps, if any, and determine how we can improve the war against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa said.

Marwa noted that the NDLEA had designated Friday for Muslim prayers and Sunday for Christian thanksgiving, invoking God’s guidance and expressing gratitude for the agency’s recorded successes.

According to him, the NDLEA under his leadership has made 66,085 arrests and 12,205 convictions, seized over 11,000 tons of illicit drugs, and destroyed more than 1,500 hectares of cannabis farmland.

He, however, said over 26,000 individuals have also undergone counselling and rehabilitation within the period.

“That’s like 400 trailers lined up over 15 kilometres. These are significant milestones, and we must thank God for them while praying for greater progress,” he said.

Marwa commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in tackling unemployment and food insecurity, which he said were major root causes of drug abuse.

He urged state governors to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda by supporting youth employment and community development initiatives.

“When there is poverty and hunger, people fall into frustration and misery, which often lead them to seek relief through drugs,” he said.

Speaking on the theme, Marwa stressed that prevention starts from the family and called for responsible parenting as a key pillar in drug control efforts.

He emphasised the importance of a whole-of-society approach, involving religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society, and labour unions.

Marwa also disclosed that the NDLEA had conducted over 11,000 grassroots sensitisation campaigns in the past four years, reaching schools, markets, parks, and various public spaces.

“Parents must pay more attention, show more love and care, even when they don’t have much materially. Parenting is critical,” he said.

Speaking, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, an Imam at the Abuja National Mosque, urged Nigerians to intensify support for the NDLEA in its fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Aliyu, who described drug addiction as a tragic destroyer of lives and future, said that Islam strongly prohibited all forms of intoxicants.

He said that the religious community must not remain silent while drug abuse continues to wreak havoc in Nigerian society, especially among the youths.

“We are gathered here to advocate against drug abuse, trafficking, and the production and sale of narcotics.

“Islam has clearly warned against intoxicants. Drug abuse has tragically destroyed the lives, futures, and mental well-being of many young men and women in our society,” he said.

The Imam described the scourge of drug abuse as a “nagging problem” that has led some youths into madness, criminality, and hopelessness.

He praised the NDLEA for its relentless efforts and “giant strides” in tackling the menace, adding that it was a fight that required collective action from all members of society.

He also stressed the importance of a spiritual and moral approach in addition to enforcement and prayed for divine assistance for the NDLEA to continue its mandate effectively.

“It is not the responsibility of the NDLEA alone. This is a global fight recognised by the United Nations. Therefore, all hands must be on deck.

“We prayed for Allah’s support for the agency to check this growing challenge, so that our youths can become sober, introspective, and return to the right path,” he added.

NAN reports that the Jumat prayer is part of a week-long line-up of events, including a press conference, NGO engagement, quiz competition, and thanksgiving service, in commemoration of World Drug Day. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Yakubu Uba

By Taiye Olayemi

National Pension Commission (PenCom) has launched Pension Boost 1.0, a new initiative under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) aimed at increasing monthly pension payments to retirees.

With the launch, total monthly pension payouts have increased from N8.3 billion to N11.9 billion, effective June.

The Director-General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, made this known during the commission’s second-quarter media briefing in Lagos.

Oloworaran noted that the increase would directly benefit over 233,000 retirees, depending on their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) balances.

She said, “We are introducing Pension Boost 1.0. This is the news every retiree has been waiting for.

“Effective this month, total monthly pension payments under the CPS will rise from N8.3 billion to N11.9 billion. This will directly benefit over 233,000 retirees, depending on their pension account balances.”

The DG described the initiative as a strategic leap made possible by strong RSA investments and bold economic reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“This is not a token gesture. It’s a result of sound investment returns and a visionary framework for pension enhancement.

“It is driven by our newly modified standard pension enhancement template, a transparent structure that allows upward pension adjustments as investment returns increase. This is just the beginning.”

The PenCom boss also revealed that the backlog of pension arrears had been nearly cleared, with all retirees up to March 2025 now having received their accrued pension rights and monthly entitlements.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a N758 billion bond to settle outstanding pension liabilities, describing it as a landmark move demonstrating the government’s dedication to the welfare of Nigerian retirees.

“Thanks to the decisive leadership of President Tinubu, we’ve seen stable and consistent releases of funds for accrued rights since November last year. The end of pension arrears is very, very near.

“President Tinubu’s approval of the N758 billion bond to clear pension liabilities is further proof that this administration is rewriting the retirement narrative in Nigeria,” she stressed.

Reiterating PenCom’s vision, Oloworaran said the commission is focused on building a transparent, inclusive, and resilient pension system.

“We are restoring faith in retirement. We are rewarding work with dignity,” the DG added.

She also issued a warning to defaulting employers and complacent pension operators.

“To employers with late pension remittances, your grace period is over. To operators who remain complacent, there will be consequences. And to every Nigerian worker, we see you, we hear you, and we will protect your future.

“Let the pension industry take note: this is a new era, and we are not going to turn back. We will continue to move forward,” Oloworaran said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

As the world marks World Refugee Day, a Kaduna based NGO, the BEACON of Transformative and Inclusive Development Center, has called for inclusion in humanitarian response.

The theme of the BEACON’s celebration is “Inclusion in Exile: Protecting Dignity, Rebuilding Peace”.

Executive Director of the BEACON, Mrs Abigail Olatunde, in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Kaduna, lamented that over 120 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced.

Olatunde also lamented that Africa has more than 43 million displaced people, with Nigeria alone accounting for over four million internally displaced persons due to violence, environmental shocks, and insecurity.

She noted that the displaced face significant challenges, including lack of access to healthcare, education, legal identity and safe housing.

According to her, displacement affects everyone, but not equally, where persons with disabilities, older persons, women, and children face unique struggles.

“The humanitarian system often falls short, failing to provide inclusive services such as sign language interpreters, assistive devices and accessible shelters,” she said.

The executive director believed that peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, dignity, and opportunity.

She, therefore, called for an inclusive humanitarian design, access to healthcare, education, legal identity, shelter, recognition of climate-displaced persons and investment in resilience and dignity.

“Every child enrolled, every ID issued and every clinic with ramps, interpreters and inclusive care is an act of peacebuilding, not charity.

“Let us ensure inclusion, travel with people, even in exile, and protect the dignity of the displaced. Displacement may take people from their homes, but it must never take away their rights,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/Ekemini Ladejobi