When it was reported that Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa-led National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had achieved a major feat in its war on illicit drugs arising from its dismantling of a methamphetamine syndicate inside a forest laboratory in Ogun State, leading to the seizure of drugs and chemicals ‌worth about $363 million (N480 billion)—the largest seizure in the history of the agency—the news was greeted with applauses and praises. Sadly, that's where the buck stops for the majority of praise singers.

According to the NDLEA boss, the operation yielded a staggering 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and chemical materials, including highly toxic precursor substances and industrial solvents, noting that “This quantity translates into millions of street doses capable of destroying lives, fueling violent crimes, and destabilising communities both locally and internationally."

Now, imagine the large-scale effect of such illicit substance if it found its way into the Nigerian society because the NDLEA boss compromised or failed to do his job. Note that Marwa could easily have gotten very rich if he decides to look the other way by offering a safety net or protection to the drug traffickers for them to continue their trade unhindered. Yet, he choses patriotism and service over materialism and selfishness.

No doubt, there are some Marwa's in public office and in the private sector who are quietly doing their job and working so hard for the interest of the country. They are passionate about doing what is right, even putting their lives at risk, becoming easy targets by evil men who feel threatened by the noble acts of such patriotic citizens.

Nigerians have not forgotten the late Dora Akunyili, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria (2001–2008), who faced constant death threats and escaped an assassination attempt on December 26, 2003, while on her way to Anambra State—bullets narrowly missed her, with one of the bullets going through her headscarf and the windscreen of the car.

Sadly, the Marwa's in public office as well as in the private sector are too few to bring about the overall effects of.positive change that Nigeria is desperately in need of. The state of the economy speaks louder with the signs of underperformance and compromise from those whose motive in office is to serve themselves and nobody else. If the majority of office holders will show the drive exemplified by the Marwa's to bring about positive change in the country, Nigeria would by now have made great progress. Still, while some are doing all they can to build, many others are bringing to disrepute their diligent efforts.

The election season is here again as 2027 approaches. The symptoms of selfishness is manifesting yet again as many political actors align their interests to achieve their personal agenda, never those of their constituencies whom they claim to represent. These days, public office is seen as a goldmine and a place of comfort to harness riches without bringing any transformation to society. This is why the political tension is heightened daily as political actors approach the contest season with a do or die mentality, not a call to service. Rather than let the results of their stay in office to dictate opinions, they choose the path of undue influence, riding on the shoulders of their godfathers and on the desperation of the electorates who have been rendered poorer by their misrepresentation.

Nigeria needs more of the likes of Marwa in governance—those who speak louder by their actions, not by mere words; those who are driven by passion or are hungry to change the narrative; those who are not swayed by monetary gifts or financial gains, but by the ambition to leave behind a legacy; those who are ready to sacrifice for the good of the generality of Nigerians, not to please the cabals...

The kind of achievement made by the NDLEA boss is what Nigerians need to be hearing on a daily basis from office holders, not excuses or endless boring narratives dressed up in lies. There should be evidential breakthroughs in the power, health, transport, communication, education, security, among other sectors in the country. The feat pulled by the NDLEA is not unachievable in these other sectors with the right people in office.

In all, let us put country first, let us think beyond today, let us remember our children and those that will come after us. As citizens with a conscience, it is our duty to make society more better than we met it, not the enrichment of self to the detriment of the general society. Who knows, I and your children have been spared from the effects of illicit drugs by that act by Marwa to stay the path of honour and to embrace courage in the face of compromise. 

Buba Marwa has not only prevented many from falling prey to drug traffickers in the future, but have helped put a halt to crimes committed under the influence of illicit substance that any one of us could easily have become a victim of. The Marwa example is not only worthy of commendations, but it should also serve as a wakeup call on other vital office holders to follow suit and begin to build legacy.

I end this piece with a quote from the literary icon, William Shakespeare, who once said, "No legacy is so rich as honesty."

#penglobaldiscourse #NDLEA #patriot