Mohammed Buba Marwa
Encyclopedia
Mohammed Buba Marwa is a retired Nigeria
n army officer who served as governor of Borno State
, and then Lagos State
during the military administrations of Generals Ibrahim Babangida
and Sani Abacha
.
, 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
.
, academic registrar of the Nigerian Defense Academy and Deputy Defense Adviser in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
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
.
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.
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.
Marwa became well respected in Lagos because of "Operation Sweep", a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos' notorious crime rate.
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.
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.
In July 1998, Marwa opened a new asphalt plant in Lagos, the largest in Nigeria.
In September, 2003, Buba Marwa gave up his position of Chairman / Chief Executive Officer of Albarka Airlines.
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.
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.
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.
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 to money to an account in Nairobi
, Kenya.
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.
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.
His bid was unsuccessful, and he gave his support to Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
, who went on to become President.
In 2007 he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n army officer who served as governor of Borno State
Borno State
Borno State is a state in north-eastern Nigeria. Its capital is Maiduguri. The state was formed in 1976 from the split of the North-Eastern State...
, and then Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
during the military administrations of Generals Ibrahim Babangida
Ibrahim Babangida
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida CFR DSS mni , popularly known as IBB, was a Nigerian Army officer and military ruler of Nigeria...
and Sani Abacha
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
.
Birth and education
Mohammed Buba Marwa was born on September 9, 1953 in KadunaKaduna
Kaduna is the state capital of Kaduna State in north-central Nigeria. The city, located on the Kaduna River, is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna is at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census...
, Kaduna State
Kaduna State
-History:The state is the successor to the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna. In 1967 this was split up into six states, one of which was the North-Central State, whose name was changed to Kaduna State in 1976. This was further divided in 1987, losing the area now part...
. He attended the Nigerian Military School
Nigerian Military School
The history of the Nigerian Military School Zaria dates back to 1954 when the Boys-Company of Nigeria was established under the auspices of Nigerian Regiment Training centre of the Royal West African Frontier Force . The school was established along with three others in the British Colonial West...
, Zaria
Zaria
Zaria may refer to:*Zaria, a city in Kaduna State, Nigeria*Zaria , or Zoria, the Slavic goddess of beauty*Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, a member of the Dutch royal family...
and the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna
Kaduna
Kaduna is the state capital of Kaduna State in north-central Nigeria. The city, located on the Kaduna River, is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna is at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census...
.
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
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
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 DanjumaTheophilus Danjuma
General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma GCON FSS psc is a Nigerian Jukun soldier, politician and billionaire businessman. He was Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff from July 1975 to October 1979. He was formerly Minister of Defence under Olusegun Obasanjo...
, academic registrar of the Nigerian Defense Academy and Deputy Defense Adviser in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
In October, 1986, the founder and editor of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa
Dele Giwa
Dele Giwa was a Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine, who was killed by a mail bomb in his home on 19 October 1986...
, 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
Bauchi State
Bauchi State is a State in northern Nigeria. Its capital is the city of Bauchi. The state was formed in 1976 when the former North-Eastern State was broken up...
.
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.
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.
Marwa became well respected in Lagos because of "Operation Sweep", a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos' notorious crime rate.
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.
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.
In July 1998, Marwa opened a new asphalt plant in Lagos, the largest in Nigeria.
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.In September, 2003, Buba Marwa gave up his position of Chairman / Chief Executive Officer of Albarka Airlines.
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.
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.
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.
In 2001, Marwa was questioned concerning money that was transferred to his account during the Sani Abacha
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
military government. Marwa said that he was told the money was for use in the clandestine operations in East Africa, and he had transferred to money to an account in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya.
In 2005, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering...
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.
In December 2006, Buba Marwa announced he would be running in the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP) primaries to become the party's candidate for President of Nigeria.
His bid was unsuccessful, and he gave his support to Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was the President of Nigeria and the 13th Head of State. He served as governor of Katsina State in northern Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2007. He was declared the winner of the controversial Nigerian presidential election held on 21 April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May...
, who went on to become President.
In 2007 he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.