The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has urged the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood to promote the war against drug abuse in Nigeria.
Marwa made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by leaders of Nollywood under the aegis of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), at NDLEA’s Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the industry should utilize movies to promote messages against the use of illicit drugs because millions of Nigerians are influenced by movies.
Marwa said, “A number of entertainers do not only use, but they also encourage others to abuse drugs through their works and activities on social media. We want the Guild to set a good example by leading the drug abuse war within its circle.
“Your movies must promote messages against the use of illicit drugs because the minds of millions are shaped by what they watch in your movies. We need you to set up War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, committees within your industry.”
National President of AGN, Emeka Rollas Ejezie said, “As a Guild of major influencers and in line with our set objectives to educate, inform and entertain as well as our avowed commitment to national development, we seek a mutually beneficial partnership with the NDLEA to leverage on the star-power of our members in promoting some of your transformation programs, especially on drug trafficking and abuses.
“We have, therefore, outlined some advocacy programs to enlighten Nigerian youths on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking; they include but are not limited to: production of skits majorly for social media campaigns; drama series on negative effects of drug abuses, rehabilitations, eradicating the fear of stigmatization and advantages of total abstinence; engage some of our A-list actors as NDLEA Ambassadors to help use their star power to discourage the youths from doing drugs, among others.”
Ejezie also stated that the industry would no longer glorify drug barons and criminals in their movies but would be actively involved in highlighting the menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
Ejezie was accompanied by other members of AGN including Mohammed Kareem, Vice President North Central; Waash Waziri, Vice President North West; Hajiya Salma Ibrahim, Chairman AGN Kaduna, amongst others.
