DICAN Honours NDLEA Chairman Marwa for Innovative Fight Against Illicit Drugs

By Iyojo Ameh

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has pledged support for the strategic programmes of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) aimed at curbing disinformation, fake news, and foreign information manipulation in the country.

Marwa, who was represented by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, made the commitment in Abuja after being conferred with the DICAN Prestigious International Award for Bravery and Innovation in the Fight Against Illicit Drugs.

Expressing delight over the recognition, Marwa said the honour reflected the impact of NDLEA’s reforms and ongoing efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse.

“The honour and recognition given to the chairman and the agency indicate that what we are doing is not going unnoticed. What makes you happy and want to do more is when you get feedback that your efforts are not only making an impact but are also appreciated,” he said.

DICAN chairman and Members

He noted that the award served as motivation for NDLEA officers, men, and women across the country, who are at the forefront of the battle against illicit substances.
“As the chairman would always say, this is not just a recognition for him, but for the personnel of the agency who are doing the work in the field, while he provides guidance and leadership,” Babafemi added.

Marwa commended DICAN for convening what he described as a pioneering global event for journalists, themed: “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability.”
He pledged NDLEA’s continued collaboration with DICAN to promote national security and strengthen Nigeria’s global image, promising full participation in future programmes.

Earlier, the Chairman of DICAN, Mr. Idehai Frederick, said the choice of NDLEA for the award was informed by the agency’s groundbreaking initiatives in dismantling transnational drug cartels, curbing illicit substance abuse, and safeguarding national security.

He stressed that the association, with its unique exposure to global diplomatic trends, is committed to strengthening journalists’ capacity to identify and counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), disinformation, and fake news — all of which pose a serious threat to democracy.

Frederick appealed to stakeholders to support DICAN through training and capacity-building programmes, noting that the association remains the first journalists’ beat association globally to convene a Diplomatic/Security International Conference. The event drew Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, including the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, alongside security stakeholders, policy experts, and civil society groups.

Other eminent Nigerians and institutions honoured at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Air Peace founder, Mr. Allen Onyema; the Egyptian Embassy; and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, among 12 others, for their strategic contributions to national and global peace efforts.