Marwa Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Support to Tackle Drug Abuse, Protect Girl-child

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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by protecting the girl-child, we protect the family, and by protecting the family, we secure the nation.

Nigeria's anti-drug czar, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, has appealed to traditional rulers to join the fight against drug abuse and safeguard young girls from exploitation. Marwa, who chairs the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), emphasized that systemic vulnerabilities like poverty, abuse, and lack of education push women and youth toward addiction.

Speaking at the launch of his daughter Mariam Marwa-Abdu's book, "In The Shadow of the Neem Tree," Marwa stated that protecting girls is crucial for securing families and the nation. He stressed that this battle cannot be left to government and NGOs alone, calling for the partnership of traditional institutions to shift cultural paradigms. "We must protect our daughters, educate them, and give them the wings to fly," he urged.

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as the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, I see firsthand, every day, how systemic vulnerabilities like poverty, abuse, and lack of education drive women and youth toward drug abuse and exploitation.

The book "In The Shadow of the Neem Tree" tackles the heartbreaking reality of young girls forced into early marriages and their devastating consequences. Marwa noted that the "Neem Tree," a common sight in northern communities, ironically casts a shadow over the futures of young daughters. He explained that early marriage robs girls of their childhood, education, health, and potential contributions to society.

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We cannot leave this battle to the government or non-governmental organisations alone. We need the partnership of our revered traditional institutions, led by custodians of culture like His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, to shift the cultural paradigm. We must protect our daughters, educate them, and give them the wings to fly.

Author Mariam Marwa-Abdu, founder of the Women and Children’s Rights and Empowerment Foundation (WCREF), described the book as a literary manifesto for her lifelong mission. She highlighted that her NGO works to empower women and children, addressing issues like early marriage that eclipse bright futures.

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The ‘Neem Tree’ is a common sight in our northern communities, providing shade from the scorching sun. Yet, ironically, under some of these very shades, silent traditional arrangements occur that eclipse the bright futures of our young daughters. Early marriage robs a girl of her childhood, her education, her health, and her potential to contribute meaningfully to society.