The NDLEA boss, who was a one-time NAOWA liaison officer during his military career, noted the important role the association plays in ensuring the success of career military officers.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Wife of the Chief of Army Staff and president of the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Salamatu Yahaya, has commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), for the extraordinary achievements recorded in the NDLEA under his watch.
Mrs. Yahaya recently led a delegation of the executives of NAOWA on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
She pledged the commitment of the body to work with the NDLEA to ensure a drug-free Nigeria.
Mrs Yahaya noted that NAOWA has been following the tremendous achievements recorded in the past 18 months and as a humanitarian organisation that is committed to capacity building and empowerment for its members and stakeholders, partnering with the NDLEA will be mutually beneficial as she plans to take the drug campaign to the barracks.
Among the areas of partnership is the training of NAOWA members and staff in early detection and identification of substance abuse, as well as how to conduct drug prevention programmes. Others include measures to prevent drug trafficking and channels for reporting drug activities.
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In his response, Marwa thanked the NAOWA president and her entourage for the visit. He commended the association for the laudable initiatives under the leadership of Mrs. Yahaya which have transformed the association.
The NDLEA boss, who was a one-time NAOWA liaison officer during his military career, noted the important role the association plays in ensuring the success of career military officers.
He stated that NAOWA’s support will be required in both drug demand and drug supply reduction activities, stressing that addiction does not discriminate and can afflict any family.
He encouraged NAOWA to leverage on the NDLEA’s 24/7 toll free helpline (080010203040) recently launched to assist drug-dependent persons seeking help without stigmatisation. Marwa requested the president of NAOWA to facilitate the establishment of counselling centres in barracks across the country to cater for the needs of people suffering from drug use disorders.
He equally asked the organisation to join the agency in promoting drug test by intending couples before marriage. He added that fear of testing positive will deter potential drug users from getting involved with drugs. He promised to support NAOWA in its proposed drug enlightenment efforts through training.