DANGOTE FOUNDATION YET TO RESPOND TO HURIWA’S APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE TO Publish ADDITIONAL 10, 000 COPIES
The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa has official written to the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) to endorse our children’s comic book to sensitise Nigerian children to stay off hard drugs and illicit substances to guarantee a great future for themselves.
In the light of the official endorsement, HURIWA applied to the Dangote Foundation in Lagos for funding assistance to publish additional ten thousand copies of the book for free distribution to school children in the Federal Capital Territory but the Dangote Foundation did not respond to our request for assistance to roll out additional ten thousand copies. HURIWA’S leter was sent to DANGOTE FOUNDATION over one month ago and there has been no written reply to either agree or refuse to provide funding assistance for the publication of ten thousand copies of the children’s comic book against drug abuses.
HURIWA had earlier printed 5, 000 copies that it already freely distributed in few secondary schools located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a prominent civil rights advocacy group, is dedicated to promoting a safer and more secure future for Nigerian children.
As a leading advocacy and a not- for -profit organization, HURIWA recognizes the devastating impact of drug abuse on young lives and is committed to protecting the rights of children to grow up free from substance abuse. By raising awareness and advocating for policies that support children’s well-being, HURIWA aims to create a brighter future for Nigeria’s next generation, where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.
Drug abuse among teenagers in Nigeria has severe consequences, including increased risk of mental health problems, involvement in criminal activities, and poor academic performance. The link between drug abuse and crime rate is significant, with studies showing that drug abuse induces predatory crimes, such as armed robbery and gang formation.
In Nigeria, teenagers abuse drugs for various reasons, including to overcome frustration, relieve stress, forget personal sorrows, or to fit in with peers. Parental influence, peer pressure, and lack of awareness about the risks associated with drug abuse contribute to the problem.
The consequences of drug abuse among teenagers in Nigeria are far-reaching, affecting not only the individual but also society at large. It’s essential to address the root causes of substance abuse and provide support to those affected to mitigate the negative impact on crime rates and overall well-being.
Adolescence is a developmental stage often characterised by various kinds of risk-taking, such as experimentation with alcohol, drugs, sexuality and criminal activities. Most people commit minor offences at one time or another in their youth.
The connection between criminality and drug use is obvious by virtue of the fact that drug use is illegal in many countries, but the relationship can be complex and manifested in various ways. As well, it is often difficult to determine which of the two problems came first (Mulvey 2010).
The connection may also manifest in different ways, in different phases of the course of a substance use problem. Crimes and drugs are rarely related to each other in occasional or experimental drug users, while long-term drug use promotes criminality (Bennett & Holloway 2005; Simpson 2003).
Drug abuse among children and teenagers in Nigeria is growing rapidly fast as many young people are vulnerable to substance abuse due to various factors such as peer pressure and lack of parental guidance and even with parental guidance, teenagers are prone and curious to trying out new things. The most commonly abused substances include weed, loud, cannabis, tramadol, and other prescription medications.
The consequences/ side effects of drug abuse can be devastating, which could lead to addiction, mental health problems, and even death. It is very essential for parents, caregivers, school/teachers and communities to take proactive steps in educating and supporting young people to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles.
In Nigeria, efforts to address drug abuse among young people are underway, including awareness campaigns, counseling services, and law enforcement initiatives. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of substance abuse and provide adequate support to those affected.
In Nigeria, a concerning 20-40% of secondary school students abuse drugs.
Drug abuse has been a cause of many criminal offences such as theft, burglary, sex work, and shoplifting.
Substances like cannabis, codeine, and emerging synthetic drugs are finding their way into the hands of students, with devastating effects on their health, academic performance, and future prospects.
It is against this backdrop that we’ve taken into much consideration because of the future of our kids to put together a children’s comic book, titled “CHILDREN, STOP, DON’T DO DRUGS.” In line with our vision, we have developed this children’s comic book to educate young minds about the dangers of substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles. We are pleased to inform you that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) under the administration of Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has approved the book, and it is already in circulation, making a positive impact on the lives of many young people.
ENDORSEMENT ( from Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) ) OF THE PRODUCTION OF HURIWA ANTI-DRUG ABUSE COMIC SERIES “CHILDREN, STOP, DON’T DO DRUGS”
I wish to commend your efforts towards raising awareness on the dangers of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
2. The activities of your organisation in this regard has in no small measure contributed to the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy among Nigerians especially the youth population.
3. In the light of the above, I wish to endorse the production of your comic series which has had impressive impact on the youth drug awareness campaign.
4. You may wish to leverage the collaboration of our critical stakeholders and partners in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking to ensure the continuity of your educative initiative on substance abuse.
5. While thanking you for your unwavering support for NDLEA efforts, please accept the assurances of my warm regards, General Mohammed Buba Marwa concluded in a letter dated April 24th 2025.
HURIWA through its National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko stated as follows: “We’ve sent a plea for sponsorship to the Dangote Foundation to enable us to publish more of these books and to enable us to reach out to more children but we’re yet to get a feed back from the foundation.
In conclusion, HURIWA remains committed to promoting Nigerian children’s rights and ensuring our children’s safer, brighter future. With initiatives like our “CHILDREN, STOP, DON’T DO DRUGS” comic book series, we are empowering and educating youth to be intelligent about decisions and deny drug abuse its damaging grasp. We look forward to working in partnership with like-minded organizations and stakeholders in an effort to further our initiatives to create a better future for Nigeria’s kids. We can make a difference together and ensure our kids thrive, HURIWA affirmed.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
May 20th, 2025.
