In a decisive push for societal reform, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has called for total protection of the girl-child, warning that systemic vulnerabilities are actively driving women and youth into the traps of drug abuse and exploitation.
According to a statement released on Saturday, 11th July 2026, by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa made the call in Kaduna during the unveiling of “In The Shadow of the Neem Tree,” a book written by his daughter, Barrister Mariam Marwa-Abdu. Emphasizing the urgency of the cause, Marwa stated: “By protecting the girl-child, we protect the family, and by protecting the family, we secure the nation.”
According to him, the mission to protect vulnerable populations must transcend government agencies and NGOs, requiring a unified front that deeply involves traditional rulers and community leadership.
Sharing a stark perspective from his office, the NDLEA chief emphasized the deep-rooted causes of the crisis. He stated, “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. Advocacy like Mariam’s is the first line of defence.
He then challenged society to take collective responsibility for these vulnerable groups, asserting, “We cannot leave this battle to the government or non-governmental organisations alone. We need the partnership of our revered traditional institutions, led by custodians of culture like His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, to shift the cultural paradigm. We must protect our daughters, educate them, and give them the wings to fly.”
Commending the author for her courage, intellect, and profound compassion, an emotional Marwa celebrated how his daughter had made the entire family incredibly proud. Turning to the audience, he passionately urged the gathering to ensure the core message written on the pages of the book echoes across every corner of society.
Reflecting on the profound significance of the day, Marwa expressed deep personal pride in his family’s literary lineage. He remarked, “As a father, today holds a very special, symbolic meaning for me. They say a fruit does not fall far from the tree, and today, Mariam has proven that the roots of literacy and advocacy run deep in our family.”
Highlighting a rare generational milestone, the NDLEA chief tracked his children’s impressive academic footprints, stating, “I have always believed in the power of the written word to reshape society, a passion that led me to author three books myself.
” Today, I look at my children with immense gratification. With this brilliant publication by Mariam: Abu set the pace for his siblings, with his work proudly published and available on Amazon; Colonel Mohamed Marwa has institutionalized his thoughts, having authored three books and co-authored the fourth one with me already; Dr. Zainab has lent her voice to academia and society with two books to her credit; and now, Barrister Mariam cements this family milestone as our fourth child to become a published author.
“To see all four of my eldest children, who are all coincidentally lawyers, pick up the pen to fight societal ills and document human experiences is the greatest legacy a father could ask for. We have become practically a family of authors!”
He noted that the book,
“In The Shadow of the Neem Tree,” tackles an issue that is both heartbreaking and urgent: the reality of young girls forced into early marriages and the devastating consequences that follow.
He poignantly detailed the central theme of the book, stating, “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. Early marriage robs a girl of her childhood, her education, her health, and her potential to contribute meaningfully to society.”
Lauding the author’s unique approach, he emphasized, “Mariam uses her legal background and her storytelling prowess to shine a harsh but necessary light on these dark corners, forcing us to confront the bad outcomes of this practice.”
Far from just a piece of fiction, “In The Shadow of the Neem Tree” is a literary manifesto of a lifelong crusade, according to its author, Mrs. Mariam Marwa-Abdu, the visionary founder of the Women and Children’s Rights and Empowerment Foundation (WCREF).
She revealed that through her NGO, founded in 2011, she has spent over a decade translating the core themes of the book into tangible, direct action.
In his remarks, the Royal Father of the Day, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli—represented by Architect Haruna Abubakar Bamalli, the Barden Kerarriyan Zazzau and District Head of Basawa—expressed deep optimism that the historic gathering “will act as a springboard for individual and collective development.
