The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has unveiled a new radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM targeted at sensitizing the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja on Thursday, chairman/chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd) urged Nigerians to rise and counter the toxic pop-culture that glamourizes abuse of illicit substances as an acceptable way of life especially among the youth.
Marwa called on all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to join the NDLEA in its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy drive to save the youth population from the danger of accepting abuse of illicit drugs as an acceptable culture.
According to him, “We recognize that behind every statistic of drug abuse is a human being. A vulnerable teenager seeking escape; a broken family searching for answers; a brilliant mind derailed but capable of redirection. Through this station, we will drive our narrative softly but firmly. We will counter the toxic pop-culture that glamourizes drug abuse by replacing it with a vibrant, alternative culture—one that celebrates sobriety, showcases real stories of recovery, and provides accurate, life-saving information.
“Let us make no mistake: the stakes could not be higher. If we do not control the narrative today, the consequences tomorrow will be catastrophic. Substance abuse is a hydra-headed monster that feeds insecurity, decimates public health, cripples economic productivity, and compromises the very future of our workforce.
“But for us at the NDLEA, we refuse to look at the future through a lens of despair. We are deeply hopeful because today represents concrete action. It represents a paradigm shift. It proves that the NDLEA is not just reacting to threats, but proactively innovating to stay ahead of them. Clean Beat 91.5 FM will stand as a beacon of light, constantly reminding us that a drug-free Nigeria is not an idealistic dream, it is an achievable reality.
“With the benefit of hindsight, I have always maintained that while enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars. True victory against the scourge of substance abuse cannot be achieved solely by the cold steel of handcuffs or the iron bars of a prison cell. It is won when we dismantle the demand. It is won when we conquer the ignorance that lures our children into the abyss of addiction. And that is precisely why Clean Beat 91.5 FM was conceived. In a fast-evolving digital age, radio remains an incomparable asset. It is intimate. It is immediate. It bypasses barriers and speaks directly to the citizen—in their living rooms, on their daily commutes, in the bustling marketplaces, and in the quiet moments of introspection.”
While speaking at the event, the United Nations country representative, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Touré who was represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga commended Marwa for considering a radio platform as a viable tool for advocacy.
He said, “Through this initiative, the NDLEA has demonstrated its continued commitment to innovative and people-centred approaches that complement enforcement efforts with education, advocacy, and dialogue. Through this platform, NDLEA is taking the drug control message directly to the people — into homes, communities, schools, and streets.
This initiative also aligns strongly with the National Drug Control Master Plan and reinforces the leadership of NDLEA in driving a balanced, health-oriented, and security-conscious approach to drug control in Nigeria”.
Also, the director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Charles Ebuebu commended the agency’s leadership, noting that “the establishment of Clean Beat 91.5 FM represents far more than the launch of another radio station. It represents the strategic deployment of broadcasting as an instrument of national orientation, behavioural change, youth engagement and social transformation.”