By Our Reporter
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has thrown support for the newly launched drug test policy for schools in Nigeria, saying that it would discourage illicit substances abuse by young Nigerians especially those aspiring for higher education.
The NDLEA boss gave this position at the weekend when he received the Vice Chancellor of the Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Bako, who led a team of his management staff to seek partnership with the agency on the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa expressed readiness to work and partner with the university and the Taraba State Government on the matter, saying that "it’s a good thing that what you’re doing aligns with the new national policy for tertiary institutions that includes compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students."
According to him, the initiative is a joint effort between the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat substance abuse among young people in schools across the country, recalling that the NDLEA had been pushing for such and now happy to "have a dependable partner in the Minister of Education and members of his team who worked with us and supported us on this."
"This is not in anyway punitive but a strategic push that will largely discourage our youths from going into substance abuse because they know at every stage of their education, they will face compulsory drug test.
"We are fully prepared to work with all schools to ensure the success of this great initiative that will make positive impact on youth development, security and national productivity in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu," the NDLEA boss said.
Marwa commended the VC for leading the pack by establishing a full Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition in the institution, promising to support his efforts through capacity building training and other areas of collaboration.
Bako, in his remarks, commended the Marwa leadership of NDLEA for its professionalism, openness and collaborative spirit, which had earned the agency both national and international accolades.
The VC applauded Marwa's relentless efforts in combatting substance abuse, which he said had contributed significantly to protecting Nigerian youths and preserving the future of the nation, expressing his team's pleasure to have visited the NDLEA boss"at a time when your excellent and unwavering commitment in the fight against drugs and illicit substances abuse/trafficking earns you another five years of tenure renewal."
"We are particularly pleased to visit at a time when your excellent and unwavering commitment in the fight against drugs and illicit substances abuse/trafficking earns you another five years of tenure renewal.
"Your relentless efforts in combatting substance abuse have contributed significantly to protecting our youths and preserving the future of our nation," he said.
Prof. Bako noted that his visit was borne out of his concern about the challenge of drug and substance abuse among young people, which poses serious threat to academic excellence, moral values, and national development.
"This visit seeks to strengthen the relationship between Taraba State University, Jalingo and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency which started way back since 22nd August, 2024 during the inauguration of the Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition and the launch of WADA by the NDLEA Taraba State command, as well as the TSU Drug Free Club patrons/officials.
"We firmly believe that effective drug control and prevention require a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and the wider society.
"In this regard, Taraba State University is eager to partner with your agency in areas such as collaborative research on drug abuse and substance use disorder, policy-oriented studies, public enlightenment and sensitization programmes, capacity building training, student internship opportunities, and community outreach initiatives within Taraba State and beyond.
"Partnership with the NDLEA will further strengthen our institutional policies and programmes in this critical area," he stated.
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