DICAN honours NDLEA boss Marwa, strengthens collaboration to tackle illicit drugs, disinformation
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has received the Prestigious International Award for Bravery and Innovation in the Fight Against Illicit Drugs from the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN).
Marwa, represented at the Abuja event by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, described the honour as both a motivation and recognition of the agency’s tireless efforts in combating illicit drugs in Nigeria and across borders.
“The honour and the recognition given to the chairman and chief executive of the agency, and indeed to the entire agency, indicates that what we are doing is not going unnoticed.
“What makes you want to do more is when you get the feedback that your efforts are making an impact and that people appreciate what you are doing”, Babafemi said while receiving the award.
He stressed that the recognition was not just for him but for officers and men of the NDLEA, who, under Marwa’s leadership, have been at the forefront of tackling drug cartels, syndicates, and barons threatening national security.
Marwa also pledged NDLEA’s support for DICAN’s strategic programmes aimed at combating disinformation, fake news, and foreign information manipulation that undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He commended DICAN for convening what it described as the first global journalists’ event focusing on Nigeria’s “4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy” amidst global security and disinformation challenges.
“By the grace of God, we look forward to your next programme, and we will be physically present to encourage and support what you are doing,” Marwa assured.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of DICAN, Mr. Idehai Frederick, said the choice of NDLEA for the award was in recognition of its innovations in the transnational fight against drug trafficking and illicit substance abuse.
He explained that as diplomatic correspondents exposed to global trends, members of the association were aware of attempts by criminal networks to derail Nigeria’s progress in the war on drugs.
“DICAN is determined to make a difference by enhancing the capacity of its members to identify and counter foreign information manipulation, disinformation, and fake news, which are growing threats to democracy and global stability,” Frederick stated.
He appealed to stakeholders to support DICAN through capacity-building initiatives that will equip journalists with the skills needed to expose disinformation networks and strengthen national security narratives.
The award ceremony also recognised several other distinguished Nigerians and institutions for their contributions to peace, security, and diplomacy.
They include former President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Founder of Air Peace, Allen Onyema; the Egyptian Embassy in Nigeria; and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.
