By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
BID TO deepen the national response to substance abuse gained further momentum as the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria positioned its support behind the renewed leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), emphasising the need for stronger joint action across communities.
The Council said the continuing direction of the Agency would reinforce the work already under way to curb illicit drug trafficking and reduce the human cost of addiction nationwide, according to information contained in a statement issued after its recent engagement with the NDLEA.
NCWS’s position emerged during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA’s national headquarters, where its leaders set out their expectations for enhanced collaboration following the reappointment of Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for another five-year term.
According to the council, the decision by President Bola Tinubu to renew the NDLEA leadership presented an opportunity to strengthen existing campaigns, especially those involving women, youth, schools, markets and local communities.
Also, National President, NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, conveyed the commendation as she addressed the NDLEA team during the visit, saying the women’s body appreciated the extension granted to Marwa, as the renewed tenure represented what she described as a national recognition of the agency’s work.
Her remarks, as stated in the release, highlighted the council’s view that the continuation of the NDLEA’s leadership would bolster the broader national fight against drug trafficking and its associated challenges.
Azura pointed to the agency’s record under Marwa, stating that the Council had observed what she described as transformative leadership over the years. She noted that the NDLEA had, in her account, dismantled sophisticated trafficking networks, intercepted large quantities of illicit drugs and improved intelligence-driven operations.
She also cited the expansion of preventive education across communities and the strengthening of rehabilitation options for those affected by substance abuse.
Adding that these developments represented more than institutional progress, Azura said they reflected meaningful improvements for families grappling with the impact of drug-related crime, domestic instability and public health concerns.
Her comments affirmed the experiences of women and children, whom she referenced as frequent silent victims of drug-related disruptions in households and neighbourhoods.
The council also used the visit to reaffirm its desire for deeper engagement with the Agency, Azura said the NCWS had been mobilising women, mothers, teachers and local groups in advocacy programmes aimed at discouraging substance abuse.
She explained that ongoing outreach in schools, various state-level campaigns and community sensitisation activities had shown that women’s participation strengthened preventive strategies, she noted that is why they sought further partnership with the NDLEA in directing families and communities toward more consistent anti-drug awareness.
Areas identified for cooperation included training programmes for the Council’s national and state officers to serve as community anti-drug ambassadors.
The Council also proposed joint advocacy aimed at mothers and caregivers, as well as cooperation in rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives for women and young people affected by drug use.
These requests, according to the release, aligned with the Council’s wider national engagement efforts on social protection and community mobilisation.
Responding to the delegation, Marwa expressed appreciation for the visit and for the Council’s remarks regarding his reappointment and the President’s decision.
He stated that the NDLEA considered NCWS an important partner due to its representation of women’s organisations across the country. He emphasised that the fight against drug abuse required contributions from every part of society, noting that the scale of the challenge made wider collaboration essential.
Marwa described the drug problem as Nigeria’s most urgent concern, stating in the release that the issue touched every community either directly or indirectly.
He referenced the estimated population of about 15 million drug users in the country and said the situation required collective national responsibility to address, adding that government’s action alone could not adequately respond without broader societal support.
He also highlighted the pivotal role of women in families and communities, noting that the Council’s nationwide presence positioned it as a leading partner in efforts to reduce drug use.
He urged the Council to stand firmly in the ongoing push to safeguard young people, protect women affected by addiction and support interventions aimed at vulnerable groups.
Marwa assured the delegation that the NDLEA would partner fully with the Council in the coming year.
He announced plans to organise Drug Use Prevention, Treatment and Care (DPTC) training for the Council in 2026.
Press release issued by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, noted that similar training had previously been conducted for spouses of state governors.
Marwa stated that the programme for NCWS would be tailored to the Council’s operational needs so that its officers could extend the knowledge to their constituencies and grassroots networks nationwide.
He also encouraged the Council to support the Agency’s campaign promoting drug integrity tests for intending couples.
According to the NDLEA, this initiative aimed to reduce substance abuse among young people by encouraging early detection and intervention.
Marwa said the Council’s involvement would help extend the advocacy into homes and family structures, reaching individuals before marital unions were formalised.
