Buba Marwa bags transformational leader of the year award

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa has been honoured with a Transformational Leader of the Year Award by the Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse Initiative.

Presenting the award on Thursday in Abuja, the Chief Executive and Founder of the organisation, Primate Belonwu Ezeanyaeche, said that the award was in recognition of the reforms Marwa had introduced to reposition the agency.

He said that the agency had curtailed the activities of drug dealers in the country since he came onboard, adding that Marwa demonstrated exceptional ability, determination and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Ezeanyaeche maintained that NDLEA had not only set new standards of excellence but has also become a beacon of inspiration for others.

He said that the award was, therefore, an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the good work, achievements and contributions of the NDLEA to making Nigeria a drug-free society.

“We were all born in this country and we know how things have being particularly the NDLEA operations, but since he came on board, he has transformed the agency.

“The spirit he impacted on the personnel both in intelligence and operations made the agency carry out it’s duties well in Nigeria in particular and also in Africa.

“This is not an easy task. NDLEA have been exclusively wonderful since the chairman assumed office.

“We are here to also motivate them to do more because they have made Nigeria proud,” he said.

Ezeanyaeche said that the NDLEA had arrested a lot of cartels and barons, including those assumed to be untouchables.

He commended Marwa for transforming the agency and delivering more than the expectations of the people of Nigeria.

Responding, Marwa who was represented by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Mr Femi Babafemi, appreciated the organisation for putting the award together.

The NDLEA boss said that the award showed that relevant stakeholders had taken ownership of the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said that the war against drug abuse should not be left to the agency alone, adding that the award showed that the organisation has not only been supporting the NDLEA, but also motivating those who are doing the work.

“This is a pointer to other organisations to do their best irrespective of where they are operating from.

“It is a wake up call to them to stand up for the fight against the scourge, by this, we can achieve the great drug-free society we desire,” Marwa said.