Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has charged 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 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. The NDLEA boss described investment in young people as one of the most strategic investments any society could make, stressing that Nigeria’s future depended largely on the quality, character and competence of its emerging 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. According to him, equipping young Nigerians with knowledge, character, leadership skills and innovative mindsets goes beyond individual advancement, as it prepares the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous nation. He urged the participants to see the academy as more than an opportunity to obtain certificates, but as a platform to build relationships, discover their leadership potential and prepare to make meaningful contributions to their communities and Nigeria. “Leadership, however, is not simply about occupying a position. Leadership is about responsibility. Leadership is about influence. Leadership is about service,” Marwa said. The NDLEA chief used the occasion to draw attention to the dangers posed by drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, warning that their consequences extend beyond individual users to families, schools, communities and the wider economy. “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. Marwa noted that when the potential of a young person is undermined by harmful drug use, the cost is ultimately borne not only by the individual but also by the family, community and nation. “This is why prevention is so important,” he said. He stressed that the country’s drug problem could not be defeated through enforcement alone, noting that prevention, education, family support, community engagement and appropriate assistance for people affected by substance use disorders were equally essential. “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 therefore called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, schools, families, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and community-based organisations such as Rotary. Marwa challenged the young participants to move beyond being beneficiaries of drug prevention programmes and become active partners and ambassadors in the campaign against substance abuse. He said the enormous influence young people wield over one another could either encourage destructive behaviour or promote positive choices. According to him, peer influence should be harnessed to encourage academic excellence, healthy lifestyles, sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and responsible citizenship. “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. He also warned against stigmatising young people struggling with substance use, urging participants instead to encourage them to seek appropriate help. The NDLEA chairman identified integrity, service and resilience as three principles that should guide the young leaders during and after the academy. He said integrity required doing what was right even when nobody was watching, stressing that leadership without integrity would eventually lose public trust. On service, he urged the participants to deploy 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 servi
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