SAEMA 2025 Reinforces Urgency in Image-Building and War Against Drug Abuse

By Haroon Aremu

Nigeria stood almost like a weary fighter as the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Lecture (SAEMA 2025) opened at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja on November 19, 2025. Battling rising drug abuse in homes, schools, and neighborhoods, the country seemed in urgent need of encouragement. When the event gathered security agencies, communicators, and frontline officers to honor their work, it felt less like a celebration and more like a rallying cry for fighters who refuse to give up.

That determined spirit animated the day’s proceedings, as organizations including Emergency Digest, the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), and the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) converged with one mission: to support the people and institutions working to keep Nigeria safe.

Choosing the NDLEA Headquarters as the venue gave the ceremony deeper resonance. The agency has become a central voice in Nigeria’s drug control fight, deploying public campaigns and community outreach to shape national awareness. Speakers emphasized that contemporary security work extends beyond apprehending offenders to encompass public trust-building, community guidance, and reputation management for law enforcement agencies—particularly as drug abuse continues to surge among young people.

A major highlight of the event was the honor bestowed upon NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), who received the Outstanding Personality of the Year Award. His leadership has transformed the NDLEA through both robust enforcement and expansive public education. His War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign reaches schools, families, and communities while simultaneously dismantling major drug cartels. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to renew his appointment for another five years demonstrates the nation’s confidence in his strategic direction.

Equally deserving of recognition was NDLEA Director and Spokesperson Femi Babafemi, who won the Outstanding Crisis Communicator Award. His consistent public engagement—from detailed press briefings on drug seizures to swift corrections of misinformation—has strengthened public trust in the agency. His widely publicized announcement in September 2025 regarding the release of three Nigerians wrongfully detained in Saudi Arabia further underscored the vital role of empathetic communication in crisis management.

The Law Enforcement Officer Award went to Commandant Olusola Odumosu of the FCT NSCDC for his vigilance against criminality and vandalism, while Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olohundare Moshood Jimoh received the Security Officer Award for dismantling organized crime and cult networks through intelligence-led policing.

In the military category, Commodore Omobamidele Adetokunbo Akinbami, Commander of NNS SOROH, was named Military Officer of the Year for leading operations that dismantled 145 illegal refineries, intercepted vessels, and neutralized militant camps between May 2024 and April 2025. His efforts significantly disrupted oil theft and maritime crime in the Niger Delta.

Rahila Lassa Garba of Voice of Nigeria (VON) was honored for humanitarian journalism that amplifies the stories of vulnerable populations and inspires interventions across the country.

Institutional awards highlighted the work of key national agencies. The Department of State Services (DSS) was recognized for Crime Prevention, while the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) earned the Public Information Management Award for strategic communication that effectively addressed misinformation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was awarded for Cybercrime Prevention, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was honored for Emergency Management.

Yobe SEMA received recognition for Humanitarian Service, while the Nigerian Army, ICPC, and Nigerian Air Force were awarded for community service, diligent investigations, and civil-military humanitarian contributions respectively. The Nigerian Correctional Service Training School, Kaduna, was named Training Institute of the Year.

Observers note that the event demonstrated growing synergy between security agencies, civil society, and media organizations. More importantly, SAEMA 2025 spotlighted the increasing demand for public relations, perception management, and strategic storytelling in the fight against insecurity—especially drug abuse.

With agencies such as Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and PRNigeria already pioneering this approach through consistent reporting and strategic communication support, experts argue that security institutions must now amplify image-building efforts to win public trust and participation.

This year’s ceremony served as a powerful reminder that operational excellence alone is insufficient. In the ongoing battle against drug trafficking, addiction, organized crime, and other threats, public understanding, community buy-in, and strategic communication have become indispensable tools.

SAEMA 2025 may well mark the beginning of a deeper, more deliberate effort to shape the national narrative on security and public safety—a recognition that winning hearts and minds is as crucial as winning operational battles. For a nation standing like a weary but determined fighter, such integrated approaches may prove to be the catalyst for sustained progress in the security sector.