Illicit drugs: Marwa urges collaboration with key stakeholders

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa has called for more collaboration with key stakeholders in the fight against drug production, trafficking, and abuse.

The NDLEA Chairman made the call during the public presentation of a book entitled “The Dirty Leap”, written by a veteran journalist, Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Marwa said that the production of the outstanding literary work came at a time when Nigeria and indeed the whole world needed to scale up the conversational spirit targeted at issues relating to the drug problem.

“Over the years, the drug scourge has taken more complex dimensions, which also urgently demands multi-dimensional responses, required to build stronger and safer communities.

“This book, ‘Dirty Leap’ could not have been written at a more appropriate time when the drug problem is mutating into a national catastrophe,” said Marwa, represented by Ibiba Odili, NDLEA Commander of Narcotics.

Marwa said that the work exposed the nation’s current drug realities and also aligned with his new leap of energy, vision, and deeper commitment to ensuring a significant reduction in drug cultivation, production, trafficking, and abuse, since his assumption of office in January 2021.

Speaking on his book, Oyegbile said that the play chronicles the unfortunate leap of a young energetic and a fairly educated young man from the countryside to the city in search of better opportunities.

According to him, the central themes of the book are the effects of drug trafficking on youths and how wrong politics destroys the polity.

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The award-winning writer said that in Nigeria today and the world generally, the use of illicit narcotics was a huge problem, adding that all members of the society, especially youths, must “take a look at the world and return to our reality.”

“We must begin to do things the right way if we want substantial results. This does not apply to the youths alone but every single individual as well.

“We all complain that the country is bad but we need to check ourselves first because when we start taking actions from our immediate homes, the world will be a better place,” he said.

Oyegbile, a Deputy Editor with The Nation newspaper, further urged youths to embrace a reading culture and resist the urge to be influenced by bad company or distracted by social media.

This, he said, would lead to the quick creation of solutions to societal problems.

The author said he dedicated the book to renowned dramatist and poet, Prof. Femi Osofisan, whom he described as “my teacher without borders.”

The book reviewer, Dr. Lola Akande of the Department of English, University of Lagos, said that the book reminded readers of Osofisan’s play, ‘Once Upon Four Robbers,’ which placed the machinery of oppression in human society at the doorstep of man.

“Oyegbile’s play is a useful addition to the body of Nigerian literature which has explored and reflected on the peculiar social, economic, political, cultural, and intellectual experiences of Nigerians since pre-independence.

“Osofisan demonstrates convincingly the intricate relationship between drama and society and insists that man is his own oppressor.

“It is only proper therefore that Oyegbile dedicates his play to the distinguished dramatist Osofisan and proclaims him as his teacher without borders.”

Akande said that the mass movement of people to the city in search of better opportunities had become quite a common phenomenon.

According to her, unfortunately, Lagos, like many other modern cities of the world, has not succeeded in solving all of its problems, let alone being in a position to cater to the needs of immigrants who throng in on a daily basis.

“Consequently, unemployment springs up, survival is difficult and desperation sets in, making crime and criminality rampant,” Akande said.

Mr. Chude Achike, writer and civil society activist, described Oyegbile as a committed writer who was diligent about fulfilling responsibilities, adding that the book was a testament to his promotion of citizenship.

According to Achike, Nigeria is facing an epidemic when it comes to drug conception, adding that the play is key and pivotal for the success of the country in the fight against drug trafficking.

“Drugs play a negative role in the society and you cannot build a nation with citizens who are addicts.

“We hope that school administrators and parents will understand the importance of this book because it will go a long way in saving our society from further harrowing experiences at the hands of drug takers,” he said.(NAN)