Nigerian youths have been urged to embrace skills acquisition and other empowerment opportunities provided in various intervention programmes offered by government and other stakeholders as a safeguard against falling into the trap of substance abuse and other social vices.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa made the plea at the launch of a youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme by Grassroots Bridge Builders in Abuja.

Marwa in his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour expressed happiness that the programme aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, job creation, and social inclusion.

He said training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes.

According to him, what this organisation is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences on our youth and the larger society.

He noted that government alone cannot solve all of society’s problems, saying the fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business.

In his words, that is why I wish to use this platform to call on other NGOs, civil society organizations, faith-based organisations, community leaders, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate this initiative.

He encouraged stakeholders to partner with NDLEA to design and implement programmes that give youth skills, dignity, purpose, and a sense of belonging, stressing that prevention works best when communities, organizations, and government collaborate.
While congratulating Grassroots Bridge Builders for demonstrating that empowering youth is the most sustainable way to secure Nigeria’s future, he assured of his support for all genuine, non-partisan initiatives that promote youth development, skills acquisition, and drug-free communities in line with national objectives.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by NDLEA Director Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.