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Dr. Josef Onoh, President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesperson in the South East, has called for a significant shake-up in the nation’s defense leadership.
Onoh advocates for the elimination of the Minister of State for Defence position and the appointment of Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as the next Defence Minister.
According to Dr. Onoh, the strategic significance of the Ministry of Defence makes the Minister of State for Defence position superfluous. Onoh advocates for eliminating this redundant role to streamline decision-making and enhance the Ministry’s effectiveness.
Given the sensitive nature of security, it’s crucial to have a seasoned expert like General Marwa at the helm. His unique blend of technical expertise and statesmanship makes him the ideal candidate to spearhead Nigeria’s security efforts and navigate its complex challenges.
The speaker emphasized that security experts like General Marwa are better equipped to manage national security than civilians. Marwa’s groundbreaking efforts in Lagos, which President Tinubu later expanded upon, serve as a prime example.
President Tinubu is being encouraged to appoint General Marwa as Minister of Defence in his next cabinet shake-up. Marwa’s illustrious military background, featuring prominent roles such as Deputy Defense Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, makes a compelling case for his suitability to lead the nation’s defence efforts.
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Onoh further recalled that Marwa as a renowned public administrator was appointed Military Governor of old Borno State at a very challenging period when Idriss Deby, erstwhile rebel, seized power from President Hisen Habre, thereby dislodging members of the Chadian Army, some of who went rogue and carried out raids across the border into Borno State but repelled by Marwa.
“In Borno, Marwa created the first Ministry of Water Resources and by direct labour, the state undertook the construction of roads and completed the Maiduguri International Hotel.
“In August 1996, he was appointed Military Administrator of Lagos State. His three-year tenure in the state was accompanied by strategic programmes. The feats were achieved on a strict budget of N14billion. Marwa, who did not borrow from any bank throughout his tenure, handed over a cash amount of N2billion―the highest amount handed over from one state administration to another.
“His exemplary leadership earned him ‘Nigeria’s Man of the Year 1997’ by Newswatch, Nigeria’s oldest and influential weekly magazine. During his administration, he implemented programs such as ‘Operation 250 Roads’ which greatly improved motoring conditions.
