Former military administrator of Lagos state, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), is a household name in Nigeria, chiefly because of his strides while he was the military administrator of Lagos State.
He is renowned for his tradition of excellent record of performance wherever he touches, there are already high expectations of enduring reforms by staff of the agency and Nigerians who have been commenting on his appointment as the CEO/Chairman, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The retired Military administrator and General is a polished, intellectually sound Nigerian, who was once a military attaché, Nigerian Embassy, Washington DC, USA, and defence attaché, United Nations, NewYork , as well as former ambassador to South Africa and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.
He obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and another master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. These are in addition to his training in the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
He is a retired Nigerian army officer who served as a Military Governor of Borno State, and then Lagos State during the military administrations of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.
Born on September 9, 1953 in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Buba Marwa who hails from Michika L.G.A of Adamawa State attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Later, while in the army, he studied at the University of Pittsburgh, where he obtained a master’s degree in International Relations, and he obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
He is a close ally of President Muhammed Buhari, who has worked as Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) between 2018 and December 2020, along with others to develop a blueprint on how to end drug abuse in Nigeria.
The Committee was saddled with the responsibility of developing a blueprint on how to end drug abuse in Nigeria.
After his appointment in January 2021, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), gave marching orders to commanders of the agency in all states and special commands to mop the nation of illicit drugs.
Marwa has also hinted that he would seek government’s approval to conduct drug test on tertiary institutions’ new students, security agencies’ fresh recruits and all newly appointed government employees.
The former Lagos State military administrator said: “All commanders must be desirous of keeping drugs out of Nigerian streets and homes, and so, all of you must shape up and get all those engaged in the nefarious business to face the music. I need results from now on. Our maxim will be offensive action. This means we must go all out constantly on the offensive against the bad guys.
Marwa, who is known to be dedicated to National assignments committed to his hands, has also vowed to put more efforts on drug demand reduction as part of plans to eradicate the scourge in Nigeria
He was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Reconnaissance Corps before moving to the Armoured Corp. He held various posts in the army, including Brigade Major (23 Armoured Brigade), Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, academic registrar of the Nigerian Defense Academy and deputy defense adviser in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC. In 1990, he was appointed Governor of Borno State. In 1992, he became the defence adviser to the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
From 1996 to 1999 Marwa was Military Governor of Lagos State. During his administration, he implemented programs such as “Operation 250 Roads” which greatly improved motoring conditions. He revamped public health institutions, and ensured that free malaria treatment was available to all. His administration upgraded infrastructure in poor neighborhoods. He proclaimed an edict to regulate rents, stopping the “Jankara” method of eviction of tenants and ensuring that due process was followed. Marwa became well respected in Lagos because of “Operation Sweep”, a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos’ notorious crime rate.
Marwa is determined to run with the National Drug Control Master Plan, Our Road Map. He also plans to set up toll-free call centers/ help lines that will soon be set up for use by Nigerians ready to give information or seek intervention from the agency.
