The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), has challenged Nigerian youths to reject harmful drug use and deploy their influence positively to promote healthy lifestyles, responsible citizenship and national development.
Marwa gave the charge in Abuja on Monday in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Director, Prevention and Sensitisation of the NDLEA, Dr Dankolo Shehu Mohammed, at the opening of the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA).
The academy, organised by Rotary International District 9127 at the British Nigerian Academy, Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja, brought together more than 600 young Nigerians for leadership development.
Marwa said the decision by Rotary to invest in young people was one of the most strategic investments any society could make, stressing that the future of Nigeria depended largely on the quality, character and competence of its young leaders.
“The future of every nation rests not only on its natural resources or physical infrastructure, but fundamentally on the quality, character and competence of its people,” he said.
He said developing young people with knowledge, character, leadership skills and an innovative mindset went beyond individual advancement because it also prepared the nation for a better future.
According to him, the participants were not gathered merely to obtain certificates but to develop themselves, build relationships, discover their leadership potential and prepare to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the country.
“Leadership, however, is not simply about occupying a position. Leadership is about responsibility. Leadership is about influence. Leadership is about service,” he said.
Marwa used the occasion to draw the attention of the young leaders to the challenge of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, warning that the consequences extended beyond individuals who use drugs.
“Drug-related problems do not affect only the individual who uses drugs. They can affect families, schools, communities, public health, productivity, security and national development,” he said.
He said when a young person’s potential was undermined by harmful drug use, the consequences were borne by the family, community and the nation.
“This is why prevention is so important,” he said.
The NDLEA boss explained that the agency’s fight against drugs could not be won through enforcement alone, stressing the need for prevention, education, family support, community engagement and assistance for people affected by substance use disorders.
“At the NDLEA, we recognise that the fight against drugs cannot be won through enforcement alone,” Marwa said.
“We must also prevent drug use, educate our citizens, strengthen families and communities, empower young people and provide appropriate support for those affected by substance use disorders.”
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, schools, families, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and responsible community organisations such as Rotary.
Marwa said young people should not see themselves merely as beneficiaries of drug prevention programmes but as potential partners and ambassadors in the campaign against substance abuse.
“Your generation has enormous power to influence one another,” he said.
He noted that the same peer influence that could sometimes encourage harmful behaviour could also be used positively to promote academic excellence, healthy lifestyles, sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and responsible citizenship.
He challenged the young leaders to become positive influences among their peers.
“Be the friend who encourages, not the friend who destroys. Be the voice that informs, not the voice that misleads. Be the leader who inspires, not the leader who pressures others into harmful behaviour,” he said.
PHOTO: ROTARY DISTRICT 9127
He also urged participants not to stigmatise young people struggling with substance use but to encourage them to seek appropriate help.
He outlined three principles he said should guide participants throughout and beyond the academy: integrity, service and resilience.
He said integrity meant doing what was right even when nobody was watching, adding that leadership without integrity would eventually lose the trust of the people.
On service, he urged the participants to use their knowledge, talents and opportunities to solve problems and improve the lives of others.
“The true measure of leadership is not how many people serve you, but how many lives become better because of your service,” he said.
He also urged them to develop resilience to withstand challenges, disappointments and pressures, particularly when making healthy decisions that might be unpopular.
“When it comes to drugs, say no to harmful drug use and yes to purpose, positive ambition and a meaningful future,” he said.
Marwa said there was a natural partnership between the agency’s prevention mandate and Rotary’s youth leadership programme, noting that both organisations recognised the importance of empowered, informed and responsible young people in building safer and healthier communities.
He said the NDLEA remained committed to strengthening partnerships with institutions and stakeholders involved in prevention, sensitisation and advocacy.
He further challenged the participants to understand that leadership began with their daily choices and not with appointment to public office.
“Leadership begins with the choices you make today,” he said.
“It begins with how you treat your parents, teachers, colleagues and friends. It begins with whether you keep your word. It begins with whether you stand for what is right when it is difficult to do so.”
He urged the participants to leave RYLA with three commitments: “I will develop myself. I will positively influence others. I will contribute to building a healthier, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”
He said young Nigerians were not merely leaders of tomorrow but were already leaders today.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in his speech before declaring the session opened, also urged the participants to see themselves as partners in nation-building, stressing the importance of character, competence and commitment.
“My mission for youth leadership in Nigeria is simple. I want to see a Nigerian youth that is prepared, trusted and given the opportunity to help build this country,” Olawande said.
He urged young Nigerians to acquire skills beyond university degrees, understand technology, communicate effectively and learn to solve problems.
“A university degree is important, but please, the world is changing. A degree alone cannot strengthen you enough,” he said.
The Minister also said government could not address youth development challenges alone, calling for stronger collaboration with organisations such as Rotary.
“The government cannot do it alone,” he said, commending Rotary for bringing together more than 600 young Nigerians.
The District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, urged the participants to take the academy seriously and maximise the opportunities it offered.
He said RYLA provided opportunities to make life-changing friendships, learn new things and gain experiences that could prove useful beyond the programme.
“Whatever you have a chance to learn here will be useful,” Owonikoko said.
He also urged participants to maintain discipline and obey the rules of the academy, stressing that mentorship, sponsorship and other opportunities could emerge from their participation.
The Chairman of the RYLA 2026 Planning Committee, Dr Kayode Olushola Fasua, said the academy was historic because of the large number of young Nigerians participating.
He said the participants would be exposed to leadership conversations, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, financial intelligence, civic responsibility, character development, mentorship, vocational skills and other life-transforming experiences.
He urged the participants to leave the academy not merely inspired but transformed into ethical leaders, innovative problem-solvers and compassionate citizens capable of contributing to their communities and the nation.
