Marwa rallies support in fight against kidnappers, bandits propelled by hard drugs
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has urged Nigerians to support the agency in its current war against drug abuse and trafficking, saying drug has become a propellant to terrorists, kidnappers and bandits in the country.
Marwa made the call recently while speaking as the Chairman of the Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
No fewer than 43 eminent Nigerians from all walks of life, institutions and distinguished guests converged for the Awards where some reputable citizens and institutions were honoured for their immense contributions to the socio-political and economic developments of the country.
Marwa presided over the well attended event while the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi was honoured with Most Impactful Politician of the Fourth Republic.
The Governor of the Year on Infrastructure and Rural Development was received by the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who was represented by the State Commissioner for Transport, Orman Ehin got the Face of Democracy Award.
Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur and got Visionary Leader/Pillar of Democracy Award while the Governor of the Year on Security and Infrastructure went to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
The Group Managing Director of UBA Plc, Mr Oliver Alawuba got the Man of the Year Award, Banker of the Year was received by Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu while Fidelity Bank Plc received the Bank of the Year Award.
The Most Outstanding Energy Icon of the Year went to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC ) Commission’s Chief Executive ,Engr Gbenga Komokafe as Regulator of the Year , Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority won the Most Outstanding Public Servant and the Nigerian Ports Authority as the Most Outstanding Government Agency.
Other individuals that received the 2023 Champion Newspapers’ Awards are: High Chief Kenneth Ifekudu, as Philanthropist of the Year; Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa of Polaris Bank Ltd, the Media Manager of the Year; Senator Osita Izunaso is the Senator of the Year and Hon. Noheem Babatunde Adams is the Most Outstanding State House of Assembly Member of the Year Awardee.
Also honoured are: Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri Erewa; High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi; Mr Eddie Efekoha; Rear Admiral Dr. Kasimu Bushi; Mr Blessing Agofure; Mrs Bina Jennifer Efidi Seifegha; Mrs Dr. Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu; Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc; Chief Chekwas Okorie ( Ojeozi Ndigbo); and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (a giant construction company).
Others include Mrs Uju Catherine Ifejika; Lady Ada Chukwudozie; Barr. Mrs Ngozi Ekeoma; Chief (Dr.) Michael Onuoha; and First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. Awards were also given to His Royal Majesty Walford Ikem; Dr. Victor Ide Okoye among others.
Speaking at the occasion, Marwa said, “I am indeed very honoured and delighted to be in this gathering of eminent men and women at one of the best annual award ceremonies in Nigeria, the Champion Annual Award.
“This will be my third attendance in as many years of this memorable occasion. The last two years, 2022, 2023 where I attended, I was fortunate to be ‘Man of the Year’ for those two years. And today I am here in a different capacity and I thank Champion Newspapers for the honour. The Champion Newspapers we know very well is an excellent house, very credible media and has been in existence for over three decades.”
He added, “These awards don’t come easy, the process is very very meticulous and I know all the awardees deserved those awards, fair and square.”
While appreciating the awardees, the former military administrator of Lagos and Borno States noted, “The purpose of the awards such as this is to encourage the recipients to do even more in their areas of calling and also to let Nigerians and the world to know if you work hard enough, there is a reward for it.”
The Chairman used the opportunity to call on parents and every Nigerian to support the agency in its war against abuse of drugs, noting the right examples must be set for children.
“Each and everyone of you here knows we are in a dire strait as far as drug use is concerned- there is a drug scourge. We know for a fact that drugs have continued to destroy our youth, our families, our communities and on top of that, it is a propellant to terrorists, kidnappers, bandits all over the place. I would like to urge us all to support the war against drugs.
“80-90 percent of us here are parents, and as parents, we have responsibilities for our children, to bring our children up properly and to lay the correct examples. Any parent who loves drugs and sends the children to buy, already is laying his carpet for the child to follow his footsteps where the child tries what Papa or Mama is sending him to buy.
“We must begin by setting the right examples and we must pay much attention to our children like the old times. These days, parents are even afraid to go to bed at night until children have returned home and slept off, because they are afraid if they sleep before the children and the children come back they may slaughter them — this has happened.”
He therefore appealed to parents to pay more attention to their children, saying “We must all say no to drugs in our country. We need to recover Nigeria from the drug scourge.”
He advised Nigerians to make use of the NDLEA help line (080010203040) where there are responders who guide callers in English, Pidgin, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa.
He added that the Agency has psychotherapists, psychologists, counselors and experts who are on standby 24/7 and are ready to provide guidance.
