Title: NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2025 World Drug Day Activities, Urge Collective Action on Drug Prevention Date Published: 18 June 2025 Description: In the lead-up to the 2025 World Drug Day, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have jointly unveiled a weeklong lineup of events aimed at deepening awareness and mobilizing public engagement in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.Addressing journalists at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the need for national participation, stating that the battle against drug abuse \"is a collective duty\" that requires families, communities, religious institutions, schools, and state actors to actively get involved.This year’s campaign is themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” a global call to action that will drive Nigeria’s stakeholder engagements and advocacy efforts over the next 12 months. Gen. Marwa outlined several activities scheduled across Abuja from June 20 to 26, including a Juma’at prayer, an awareness walk, thanksgiving service, essay competitions, youth outreach campaigns, and a grand finale at the State House Conference Centre. “We shall intensify our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy to support institutions and grassroots actors in raising awareness about the dangers of drug use,” Marwa saidHe also noted major strides the agency has made under his leadership — including increased arrests, convictions, the integration of body cameras in field operations, and the commissioning of barracks and rehabilitation centers in Yola, Kano, and soon in Abuja and Lagos.Representing UNODC, Danilo Campisi, the Deputy Country Head, stressed that drug trafficking is deeply intertwined with organized crime, human trafficking, and environmental degradation, and urged state governments to collaborate actively with the NDLEA to decentralize drug prevention and rehabilitation programmes. “We cannot succeed with centralized efforts alone. State governments must be part of the solution,” Campisi stated.He reiterated UNODC’s continued commitment to building Nigeria’s capacity in border security, intelligence, and forensic science, while commending Marwa’s \"strategic and courageous\" leadership of the NDLEA.As the 2025 World Drug Day approaches, NDLEA and UNODC are calling on Nigerians to not only join the conversation but also take proactive steps to protect the country’s youth and vulnerable communities from the grip of illicit drugs.---Stay tuned to www.gistreports.com for exclusive coverage of the upcoming World Drug Day events.  Attached Images: 39a2ffb7dade2a2584a335815eab6448c051e7e07edb2165ec87649c69d5c49b.jpg, cd129ab2f9860b8efded5c4a6cc881b8daa65b5ebdc66474553ab0f922223636.jpg Attached Video: None