Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has urged traditional rulers to join the fight against drug abuse by protecting the girl-child from early marriage, poverty, abuse and other social vulnerabilities that fuel addiction and exploitation.
Marwa made the call on Saturday in Kaduna at the public presentation of In The Shadow of the Neem Tree, a novel written by his daughter, Barrister Mariam Marwa-Abdu, describing advocacy for girls’ rights as a critical weapon in tackling Nigeria’s drug abuse challenge.
Drawing from his experience leading the country’s anti-drug agency, Marwa said many young people, especially women and girls, are pushed into drug abuse by difficult social and economic circumstances.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that reversing the trend requires more than government intervention, calling on traditional institutions, religious leaders, families and communities to champion the protection and education of girls.
“We cannot leave this battle to government or non-governmental organisations alone. We need the partnership of our revered traditional institutions to shift the cultural paradigm. We must protect our daughters, educate them and give them the wings to fly,” Marwa said.
According to him, protecting girls ultimately strengthens families and secures the nation’s future.
“By protecting the girl-child, we protect the family, and by protecting the family, we secure the nation,” he added.
A Book with a Powerful Social Message
Marwa praised his daughter for using literature to confront one of society’s most painful realities child marriage and its devastating consequences on girls’ education, health and future.
He noted that In The Shadow of the Neem Tree explores how harmful traditional practices continue to deny many young girls the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“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,” he said.
He added that the novel shines a necessary spotlight on the long-term consequences of early marriage, urging Nigerians to confront practices that rob girls of their childhood and opportunities.
A Father’s Pride
The event also became a deeply personal moment for the NDLEA boss as he celebrated his daughter’s achievement and reflected on his family’s growing legacy of authorship.
Marwa, himself an author of three books, said seeing all four of his eldest children become published authors was one of his greatest achievements as a father.
He commended Mariam for her courage, compassion and commitment to social justice, describing her latest work as an important contribution to national conversations on women’s and children’s rights.
Author: Fiction Inspired by Reality
Speaking at the launch, Barrister Mariam Marwa-Abdu said In The Shadow of the Neem Tree is far more than a fictional story.
According to the founder of the Women and Children’s Rights and Empowerment Foundation (WCREF), the book reflects over a decade of advocacy for vulnerable women and children through her organisation, established in 2011.
She described the publication as a literary expression of her lifelong mission to amplify the voices of girls whose stories often go unheard.
Representing the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Architect Haruna Abubakar Bamalli, the Barden Kerarriyan Zazzau and District Head of Basawa, expressed optimism that the book would inspire meaningful conversations and collective action towards protecting the rights and future of young girls across Nigeria.