Mohammed Buba Marwa

Mohammed Buba Marwa (b. Sept 9, 1953) is a retired Nigerian army officer who served as governor of Borno State, and then Lagos State during the military administrations of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.^[1]

Birth and education

Mohammed Buba Marwa was born on September 9, 1953 in Kaduna, Kaduna State. He attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria and the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna. Later, while in the army, he studied at Pittsburgh University where he obtained a master’s degree in International Relations, and he obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.^[2]

Military career

He was commissed as 2nd Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Reconnaissance Corps before moving to the Armoured Corp. He held various posts in the army including Brigade Major (23 Armoured Brigade), Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, academic registrar of the Nigerian Defense Academy and Deputy Defense Adviser in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.^[2]

In October, 1986, the founder and editor of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, was killed by a letter bomb. In June 2009, his lawyer at that time accused Marwa of being the courier of the bomb. However, Marwa's Personal Assistant said that at the time Marwa was involved in the annual battalion test exercise in Bauchi State.^[3]

In 1990, he was appointed Governor of Borno State. In 1992, he became the Defense Adviser to the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.^[2]

Lagos State Governor

From 1996–1999 Buba Marwa was Military Governor of Lagos State. During his administration, he implemented programs such as "Operation 250 Roads" which greatly improved motoring conditions. He revamping public health institutions, and ensured that free malaria treatment that was available to all. His administration upgraded infrastructure in poor neighborhoods. He proclaimed an edict to regulate rents, stopping the "Jankara" method of eviction of tenants and ensuring that due process was followed.^[4] Marwa became well respected in Lagos because of "Operation Sweep", a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos' notorious crime rate.^[5]

In February 1998, Buba Marwa said on Nigerian state radio and television that unknown persons were again trying to assassinate him, and that he and his entourage had been the target of several bomb attacks starting in 1996. He said that he would not be intimidated.^[5]

In May 1998, Mohammed Buba Marwa imposed fuel rationing in Lagos State in an attempt to tackle petrol shortages and reduce chronic queuing at petrol stations.^[6] In July 1998, Marwa opened a new asphalt plant in Lagos, the largest in Nigeria.^[7]

Later career

After retiring from the army at the end of his term as Lagos State governor, Brigadier General Marwa founded Albarka Airlines and the Buba Marwa Endowment.^[1] In September, 2003, Buba Marwa gave up his position of Chairman / Chief Executive Officer of Albarka Airlines.^[8] In December 2005, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority grounded the operations of Albarka Airlines for failing to carry out a major maintenance of its aircraft.^[9] In May 2007, the government of Nigeria withdrew the operating licenses of Albarka Airlines on the grounds that it did not meet its recapitalization requirement.^[10] In October 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a list of major debtors to troubled banks. They claimed that Albarka Air owed Unity Bank Plc just over N1 billion. Marwa denied any responsibility for the debt.^[11]

In 2001, Marwa was questioned concerning money that was transferred to his account during the Sani Abacha military government. Marwa said that he was told the money was for use in the clandestine operations in East Africa, and he had transferred the money to an account in Nairobi, Kenya.^[12] In 2005, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and questioned Marwa concerning the money, on suspicion that it was used in setting up his airline business. Later, the EFCC dropped the investigation.^[13]

In December 2006, Buba Marwa announced he would be running in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) primaries to become the party's candidate for President of Nigeria.^[14] His bid was unsuccessful, and he gave his support to Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, who went on to become President.^[15] In 2007 he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.^[16]

References