35 million Nigerians may abuse drugs by 2050 — Marwa

Chairman/Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, says about 15 million Nigerians are currently into drug abuse.

He warned that this trend must be checked or else the figure would rise to 35 million by 2050.

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Marwa spoke in Abuja Sunday at the 18th annual unity Ramadan lecture organised by the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Abuja, with the theme ‘The Legacies of Islam’.

He said religious organisations, schools and traditional institutions also had a great role to play for the country to win the war against drug abuse.

“The society must be involved in the fight against drug abuse. The NDLEA has the mandate to check drug abuse, but it must start with proper parenting by the family, parents should take more interests in their children and the type of company they keep,” he said.

Marwa also linked the increase in crime and criminality to the use of drugs.

The National Chief Imam of the society, Sheikh Fuad Ademola Adeyemi, urged Muslims to dedicate the month of Ramadan to pray for the peace and stability of the country.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace that we all can practise our religions and invite others to the faith. Islam is peace and Muslims must preach peace, talk peace, act peace and prevent anything that will disturb the peace of the society,” Adeyemi said.

A former House of Representatives member, Prof. Usman Bugaje, urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to get closer to Allah through supplication and good deeds.

A former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, said Allah had made the Qur’an and the personality of Prophet Muhammad a lasting legacy for all to emulate to be successful here and in the hereafter.