By Emmanuel Kwada
In a resounding endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to renew the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), prominent engineer and traditional leader Engr Aisha Aliyu Umar, PhD, has congratulated the anti-drug czar, describing his reappointment as a “testament to his tireless efforts” in combating substance abuse across Nigeria.
Engr Umar, who holds the esteemed title of Sarauniyar Hong, extended her warm felicitations in a letter addressed to General Buba Marwa, hailing him as “a great leader” who has performed “a great job” at the helm of the agency.
Her message, released on Friday, underscores the widespread acclaim for Marwa’s leadership amid the announcement of his five-year extension, which will keep him in office until 2031.
“This reappointment is a well-deserved recognition of your tireless efforts and dedication to the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria,” Engr Umar wrote.
“Under your leadership, the NDLEA has made significant strides in curbing the menace of illicit drugs and substance abuse in the country.”
Engr Umar, who has closely monitored Marwa’s tenure since his initial appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, praised his “passion, commitment, and vision for a drug-free Nigeria” as truly inspiring.
She expressed confidence that the renewal will “further boost the morale of the NDLEA and enhance the Agency’s efforts in tackling the scourge of drug abuse.”
The endorsement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s official announcement, conveyed through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President lauded Marwa’s first term as “remarkable,” citing the agency’s arrest of over 73,000 drug traffickers and barons, alongside the seizure of more than 15 million kilograms of hard drugs.
Nationwide awareness campaigns against narcotics have also been a hallmark of his administration, fostering greater public engagement in the war on substance abuse.
Engr Umar’s congratulations echo sentiments from other quarters, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who called the reappointment a “vote for competence, integrity, patriotism, and excellence in public service.” She wished Marwa “a fruitful tenure ahead,” praying for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance to sustain his impactful leadership.
In closing her letter, Engr Umar thanked President Tinubu for “recognizing and rewarding General Marwa’s efforts,” adding, “I am confident that he will continue to make Adamawa State and Nigeria proud.”
The reappointment has been hailed as a strategic move to ensure continuity in Nigeria’s aggressive stance against drug trafficking, with international partners like the United States credited for bolstering NDLEA’s operational capacity.
As the nation grapples with the socioeconomic fallout of drug abuse, Marwa’s extended mandate signals renewed vigor in building a healthier, more secure future.
