From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The escalating menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths in schools, communities, and sports has drawn serious concern from the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd).
Speaking at the recently held Football Anti-Drug Abuse Programme titled “Kick Out Drug Abuse” (KODA), Brig Gen Marwa highlighted the urgent need for collective action to combat substance abuse that continues to threaten the well-being and future of Nigeria’s younger generation.
The tournament, organised by RichyGold International Limited—a prominent pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos—in collaboration with the NDLEA, took place at the Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja.
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It featured an exciting display of football talent from select female and male teams drawn from public secondary schools and amateur clubs within the Federal Capital Territory.
Marwa applauded RichyGold International for its innovative approach to social change by leveraging football, arguably the world’s most popular sport, as a strategic platform for moral reorientation and positive life transformation among youths. “Substances such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, tramadol, codeine mixtures, cocaine, methamphetamine, and others are systematically stealing the health, promise, and potential of our young people,” he said.
The NDLEA chief further cautioned that sustained drug abuse leads to broken families, wasted lives and time, escalating crime rates, violence, and fractured communities, stressing the critical need for young Nigerians to emulate the discipline and drive they show on the football pitch in their daily lives towards building a drug-free society.
Earlier, Managing Director of RichyGold International and convener of the KODA initiative, Jude Onwusonye, expressed his company’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts through this sports-centred campaign.
He warned of an alarming spread of drug abuse beyond boys to include the girl-child, who are the future mothers and pillars of society, urging all youths to reject such destructive behaviours that threaten their dreams, relationships, and community trust.
The engaging event featured inspiring pep talks, a thought-provoking drama presentation on the dangers of drug use, competitive football matches, and culminated with the presentation of trophies, medals, and cash prizes to outstanding teams and schools by Marwa.
Among the prominent attendees were former Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State, Jasper Uche; former Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Clement Nze; a representative from the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education; Uche Ogbuagu, ex-member of the Imo State House of Assembly; CEO of Kingswatt Nigeria Limited, Kingsley Nwankwo; Martin Ifesi of Ima World and Managing Director of MUJID Healthcare; youth corps members; and executive members of the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students—signifying broad support across sectors for the initiative to safeguard Nigeria’s youth against drug-related harm.
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