FIRST LADY RALLIES GOVERNORS’ WIVES IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE 07-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasized the vital role of state First Ladies in combating drug abuse and restoring societal values across Nigeria.
Speaking through the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Barau, during a high-level capacity-building training workshop for spouses of Nigerian governors in Abuja.
The training, organized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, was themed “Community-Based Drug Use Prevention and Treatment Approach.”
Senator Tinubu urged for a collective action in tackling the nation’s drug abuse crisis acknowledged the strategic influence of governors’ wives in advancing the work of state drug control committees.
“Today’s training will arm us with the right knowledge, tools, skills and competencies to effectively address drug abuse across our states,” she noted.
Senator Tinubu stressed the need for evidence-based strategies that emphasize prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment particularly in reaching marginalized and vulnerable communities.
According to the first lady participants must collaborate with critical stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, educators, civil society organizations, and community leaders to develop viable and sustainable solutions.
Highlighting the importance of post-treatment reintegration, Senator Olufemi Tinubu urged governors’ spouses to advocate for community interventions that support recovery and empower rehabilitated individuals to thrive again.
“Together, we can change the narrative, restore dignity to our people and secure a healthier future for all Nigerians,” she affirmed, before formally declaring the workshop open.
In a welcome address, the Director General National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, (retired) explained that the agency has made remarkable progress in its fight against drug trafficking and abuse over the past four years.
Brigadier General Marwa said the NDLEA has deployed substantial resources towards a comprehensive assault on the drug menace, yielding significant results.
“We have recorded, in four years, the arrest of 62,595 drug suspects, including 68 drug barons. We don’t just go after the small players, we also target the kingpins.”
He noted that the agency has intensified operations across the country, raiding highways, warehouses, and even drug plantations, which are identified and destroyed in line with global standards.
The NDLEA boss urged all Nigerians to take ownership of the campaign, stating that the real impact of drug abuse is felt at the community level.
On behalf of the Nigerian governors spouse, the wife of the Kwara state Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazak who applauded the NDLEA for the initiative said the training was aimed at equipping participants with practical tools to lead impactful anti-drug initiatives in their respective states.
She called on her colleagues to always remain committed in the campaign to build safer, drug-free communities across Nigeria.