[size=18pt]General Buhari's Maiden Speech:  -  1st January 1984[/size]

In pursuance of the primary objective of saving our great nation from total collapse, I, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the Nigerian army have, after due consultation amongst the services of the armed forces, been formally invested with the authority of the Head of the Federal Military Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is with humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept this challenge and call to national duty.



As you must have heard in the previous announcement, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1979) has been suspended, except those sections of it which are exempted in the constitution.The change became necessary in order to put an end to the serious economic predicament and the crisis of confidence now afflicting our nation. Consequently, the Nigerian armed forces have constituted themselves into a Federal Military Government comprising of a Supreme Military Council, a National Council of States, a Federal Executive Council at the centre and State Executive Councils to be presided over by military governors in each of the states of the federation. Members of these councils will be announced soon.The last Federal Military Government drew up a programme with the aim of handing over political power to the civilians in 1979. This programme as you all know, was implemented to the letter. The 1979 constitution was promulgated. However, little did the military realise that the political leadership of the second republic will circumvent most of the checks and balances in the constitution and bring the present state of general insecurity. The premium on political power became so exceedingly high that political contestants regarded victory at elections as a matter of life and death struggle and were determined to capture or retain power by all means.



It is true that there is a worldwide economic recession. However, in the case of Nigeria, its impact was aggravated by mismanagement. We believe the appropriate government agencies have good advice but the leadership disregarded their advice. The situation could have been avoided if the legislators were alive to their constitutional responsibilities; Instead, the legislators were preoccupied with determining their salary scales, fringe benefit and unnecessary foreign travels, et al, which took no account of the state of the economy and the welfare of the people they represented. As a result of our inability to cultivate financial discipline and prudent management of the economy, we have come to depend largely on internal and external borrowing to execute government projects with attendant domestic pressure and soaring external debts, thus aggravating the propensity of the outgoing civilian administration to mismanage our financial resources. Nigeria was already condemned perpetually with the twin problem of heavy budget deficits and weak balance of payments position, with the prospect of building a virile and viable economy.




The last general election was anything but free and fair. The only political parties that could complain of election rigging are those parties that lacked the resources to rig. There is ample evidence that rigging and thuggery were relative to the resources available to the parties. This conclusively proved to us that the parties have not developed confidence in the presidential system of government on which the nation invested so much material and human resources.While corruption and indiscipline have been associated with our state of under-development, these two evils in our body politic have attained unprecedented height in the past few years. The corrupt, inept and insensitive leadership in the last four years has been the source of immorality and impropriety in our society. Since what happens in any society is largely a reflection of the leadership of that society, we deplore corruption in all its facets. This government will not tolerate kick-backs, inflation of contracts and over-invoicing of imports etc. Nor will it condone forgery, fraud, embezzlement, misuse and abuse of office and illegal dealings in foreign exchange and smuggling.



Arson has been used to cover up fraudulent acts in public institutions. I am referring to the fire incidents that gutted the P&T buildings in Lagos, the Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation, the Republic Building at Marina, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Capital Development Authority Accounts at Abuja and the NET Building. Most of these fire incidents occurred at a time when Nigerians were being apprehensive of the frequency of fraud scandals and the government incapacity to deal with them. Corruption has become so pervasive and intractable that a whole ministry has been created to stem it.



Fellow Nigerians, this indeed is the moment of truth. My colleagues and I – the Supreme Military Council, must be frank enough to acknowledge the fact that at the moment, an accurate picture of the financial position is yet to be determined. We have no doubt that the situation is bad enough. In spite of all this, every effort will be made to ensure that the difficult and degrading conditions under which we are living are eliminated. Let no one however be deceived that workers who have not received their salaries in the past eight or so months will receive such salaries within today or tomorrow or that hospitals which have been without drugs for months will be provided with enough immediately.We are determined that with the help of God we shall do our best to settle genuine payments to which government is committed, including backlog of workers’ salaries after scrutiny. We are confident and we assure you that even in the face of the global recession, and the seemingly gloomy financial future, given prudent management of Nigeria’s existing financial resources and our determination to substantially reduce and eventually nail down rises in budgetary deficits and weak balance of payments position.The Federal Military Government will reappraise policies with a view to paying greater attention to the following areas:



The economy will be given a new impetus and better sense of direction.
Corrupt officials and their agents will be brought to book.
In view of the drought that affected most parts of the country, the federal government will, with the available resources, import food stuffs to supplement the shortfalls suffered in the last harvest.
Our foreign policy will both be dynamic and realistic. Africa will of course continue to be the centre piece of our foreign policy. The morale and combat readiness of the armed forces will be given high priority. Officers and men with high personal and professional integrity will have nothing to fear.



The Chief Justice of Nigeria and all other holders of judiciary appointments within the federation can continue in their appointments and the judiciary shall continue to function under existing laws subject to such exceptions as may e decreed from time to time by the Federal Military Government. All holders of appointments in the civil service, the police and the National Security Organisation shall continue to exercise their functions in the normal way subject to changes that may be introduced by the Federal Military Government. All those chairmen and members of statutory corporations, parastatals and other executive departments are hereby relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.



The Federal Military Government will maintain and strengthen existing diplomatic relations with other states and with international organisations and institutions such as the Organisation of African Unity, the United Nations and its organs, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth etc. The Federal Military Government will honour and respect all treaties and obligations entered into by the previous government and we hope that such nations and bodies will reciprocate this gesture by respecting our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.




Fellow Nigerians, finally, we have dutifully intervened to save this nation from imminent collapse. We therefore expect all Nigerians, including those who participated directly or indirectly in bringing the nation to this present predicament, to cooperate with us. This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, have no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together.

May God bless us all. Good morning.

[size=18pt]05 January 1984   -  ITN News (video clip)
GEN. BUHARI PRESIDES AT SWEARING IN OF MILITARY GOVERNORS AND WARNS THEM OF PENALTIES FOR CRIME AND CORRUPTION. (video clip)[/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_JjYG-ef8M?version=3[/flash]

http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITN/1984/01/05/AS050184005/?s=nigeria&st=2&pn=96&sortBy=date
(this clip starts moving after first 35seconds)

Nineteen military governors were formally appointed by the new Head of State, Major-General Mohammed Buhari, and other members of the country's Supreme Military Council (SMC) in Lagos on January 4 to run Nigeria's federal states.

General Buhari attended the official swearing-in ceremony, which came four days after he led a bloodless coup ousting former President Shehu Shagari.

Speaking at the ceremony, Buhari reminded his new governors of their duties.All were chosen, he said, for their ability to discharge their responsibilities in the best interests of the country.He went on to warn them that crime and corruption for personal gain, one reason for the coup, would be ruthlessly punished.

General Buhari added the corruption and hoarding in the private sector would not be tolerated.He ended his speech by telling the assembled governors they were answerable to the country's military chiefs of staff and subject to redeployment at any time.

All former state governors have been given a week to report to police.

General Buhari has pledged to revive the country's economy and also to end the armed robberies in major cities that have become commonplace in the last few years.The fate of former top officials in the Shagari administration is still to be decided by the new military government, and Shagari himself is being held in custody.

GenBuhari:

tpia@,
Now you should know that what you thought to be common Knowledge was in fact a common lie ,
It is clear from news reports that the bridge was opened by President Shagari on 30 Sept 1980, Babangida was not head of state until August 1985.

so everyone who was there when babangida opened third mainland bridge was, in fact, hallucinating?

tpia@,
I am puzzled as all references to 3rd mainland bridge on the internet seem to agree with your view that it was opened in 1990 by IBB. This is very puzzling. Thanks for bringing this to my attention anyway.

tpia@:

so everyone who was there when babangida opened third mainland bridge was, in fact, hallucinating?

5th January 1984  -  ITN News 
[size=18pt]New military ruler General Buhari holds his first Press Conference and promises to stamp out corruption.[/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSqGuENI8A?version=3[/flash]



He says he has uncovered widespread corruption and will bring the guilty to trial, he will also negotiate an IMF loan
to ease the severe economic crisis. Deposed President Shagari and his aides will remain in detention,

GenBuhari:

tpia@,
I am puzzled as all references to 3rd mainland bridge on the internet seem to agree with your view that it was opened in 1990 by IBB. This is very puzzling.

I am inclined to suspect that this is  typo by ITN News, (I suppose such errors may occur when copy typist make a mistake when typing text to upload to the archive website)  I am adding a disclaimer to that post about 3rd mainland bridge until it is confirmed one way or another.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention anyway.

Re Third mainland Bridge
The Third mainland bridge project was started by the Gowon Administration in 1975 as part of the Lagos inner ring road project, it was divided into 2 phases. Phase 1 - Ebute Metta to Lagos Island (Adeniji Adele interchange). Phase 2 - Oworonsoki to Ebute Metta interchange.

The first phase was completed in 1980 and commissioned by President Shehu Shagari. The second phase (Oworonsoki to Ebute Metta interchange) was suspended as a result of the austerity measures introduced by the Shagari regime.
The Babangida regime re awarded the contract for the second phase (Oworonsoki to Ebute Metta interchange) and this was completed in 1990.

@ijebuman,
Thanks for clearing that up!


[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5USwWBtwceI?version=3[/flash]

06 January 1984 - ITN News
[size=18pt]BUHARI OUTLINES NEW SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES AND CRITICISES PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT.[/size]

Nigeria's new leader, General Mohammed Buhari, outlined his social and economic policies on January 5.Speaking at his first news conference five days after assuming power in a bloodless coup, the general said priority would be given to clearing the backlog of foreign debt while improving the lot of the ordinary people.

He confirmed that his government would pursue negotiations for a 2.5 billion US dollar loan from the IMF (International Monetary Fund), started by the ousted civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.He said the money was needed to bail Nigeria out of a severe economic crisis caused by a slump in the country's main export, oil. About 90 per cent of Nigeria's foreign earnings come from oil.

Earlier, General Buhari said economic mismanagement had prompted his takeover, and that Nigerians had to watch helplessly as President Shagari's government mishandled the economic crisis, causing high inflation.He said promised economic improvements were applied inadequately and imported food supplies to supplement domestic output were hoarded by corrupt officials or sold at very high prices.

General Buhari also condemned the previous system of import licenses, allotted, he said, by favour, and not to the manufacturers and genuine importers who needed them.He said the people had been misled by the government and criticised it for failing to deal firmly with rising crime.

General Buhari has also confirmed that Nigeria would remain a member of OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Export Countries)

@BABE!
Thanks, young people like you are one of the reasons I decided to create this thread; I am learning a lot myself.









[size=18pt]8th January 1984  -  The NY Times
Buhari steps up search for all Politicians and Officials who have failed to report to a Police Station.[/size]

LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 7— Nigeria's new military Government is stepping up searches for former politicians and officials of the civilian Government that was overthrown in a coup a week ago.

The new regime is making television appeals for news of the whereabouts of former officials and other Nigerians who are wanted for questioning and is urging citizens to telephone the police if they have information about those who are being sought.










[size=18pt]9th January 1984  - ITN News
Buhari' government begins crackdown on corruption, hoarding and high prices (video)[/size]



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nj91QoiQoM

http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITN/1984/01/09/AS090184021/?s=nigeria&st=2&pn=2






[size=18pt]10th January 1984 - The NY Times
4,000 EX-OFFICIALS SURRENDER IN NIGERIA[/size]

Western diplomats reported today that as many as 4,000 officials of the ousted national and state governments had turned themselves in to the police as part of the new military Government's investigation of corruption. The diplomats said most of the former officials were released, some after their passports were confiscated. But about 400 were reportedly still held under what was described as ''military protection.''

At the same time, the Western diplomats and Nigerian sources said, many of the former officials who were on what the military Government of Maj. Gen. Mohammed Buhari called its ''most wanted list'' have managed to flee the country. Some who were abroad during the military takeover have decided to remain there.

16 January 1984  -  ITN News
[size=18pt]GENERAL BUHARI PRESIDES AT ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY.[/size]

This year's celebrations were said to have been kept deliberately low-key by the new military administration in view of the nation's ailing economy

[size=18pt]17 January 1984 -   ITN News
GENERAL BUHARI ORDERS HOARDED GOODS TO BE SOLD AT LOW PRICES.[/size]

Warehouses in the Nigerian capital, Lagos, where soldiers found hoarded supplies of rice, sugar and car tyres, were thrown open on January 13, and good sold at low prices.
Large crowds gathered outside the stores several hours before the sale was due to start. Police with whips controlled the crowds, ensuring that buyers only obtained their assigned rations -- one sack of rice, 50 kilos of sugar, and two car tyres each.
The tyres, which fit Peugeot cars, had been selling at four times the price under the government of President Shehu Shagari, toppled in a military coup on New Year's eve.

The goods on sale at six locations in the Nigerian capital, were either very scarce, or subjected to sharp price increase before Major-General Mohammed Buhari took over in the bloodless coup.

The sale, the latest in a series of actions by military governors in Nigeria's 19 states, reflected the new regime's efforts to fight the profiteering and corruption associated with the previous government.

Meanwhile trading was said to have slumped on major markets in Lagos, as dealers awaited the announcement of new prices by the federal government. Wholesalers said they were not buying new goods for fear having to sell them at a loss.

Prices of locally-manufactured consumer goods soared last year following a prolonged shortage of raw materials caused by a sharp drop in foreign earnings from oil -- the country's main source of foreign exchange earnings. Armed soldiers raided markets soon after the coup, forcing traders to cut prices, but the new government said the raids were unauthorized and had been stopped.













[size=18pt]19th January 1984  - The New York Times
Buhari Cabinet installed - only 7 of the 18 Ministers are career military men[/size]

Nigeria's new leader, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Buhari, swore in the members of his Cabinet today, warning them that the ruling Supreme Military Council ''will keep a keen and watchful eye on your performance, your style of life and general public conduct while in office.''

He said the new administration, which came to power after the overthrow of the civilian Government of President Shehu Shagari on Dec. 31, ''will not tolerate fraud, indiscipline, corruption, squandermania, misuse and abuse of public office for self or group aggrandizement and other vices which characterize the civilian administration of the past four years.''

Of the 18 ministers named, only 7 are career military men. The proportion surprised some Western diplomats here but essentially accorded with statements by Mr. Buhari in an interview on Tuesday in which he said ''only a small number'' of military officers would be named to top political posts.









[size=28pt]The Buhari Cabinet [/size]


Head of State : Muhammadu Buhari 1984–1985

Chief of Staff :Tunde Idiagbon 1984–1985

Defense: Domkat Bali 1984–1985

Agriculture : Bukar Shuaib 1984–1985

Trade : Mahmud Tukur 1984–1985

Communications: A Abdullahi, Lt Col 1984–1985

Education: Yarima Ibrahim 1984–1985

Finance : Onaolapo Soleye 1984–1985

Abuja: Mamman Jiya Vatsa 1984–1985

Health: Emmanuel Nsan 1984–1985

Internal Affairs : Mohammed Magoro 1984–1985

Foreign Affairs : Ibrahim Gambari 1984–1985

Minister of Information : Sam Omeruah 1984–1985

Transportation: Abdullahi Ibrahim 1984–1985

Energy : Tam David-West 1984–1985

Justice: Chike Offodile 1984–1985

Works: Patrick Koshoni 1984–1985

[size=18pt]21st January 1984 - The NY Times
Buhari's new Government Recovers stolen Millions From Ex-Ministers[/size]

. .LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 20— Nigeria's military Government has recovered millions of dollars in currency hoarded by former officials and is trying to retrieve millions more smuggled out of the country, a member of the new regime says.

Brig. Tunde Idiagbon told reporters Thursday that the stockpiles of money ranged from $56,000 found at the home of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, to $4.5 million at the residence of the last civilian governor of Kono State, Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo.









[size=18pt]23rd January 1984 - Business America
General Buhari Meets Nigeria's Debt Obligations, Issues New Foreign Exchange Rules[/size]

Nigeria's Federal Military Government, which removed the civilian government of President Shagari in a coup on Dec. 31, has emphasized the importance of Nigeria's meeting its external payments obligations on time. International bankers were relieved when Nigeria paid the first installment of its rescheduled trade debt on time. General Buhari, the head of the supreme Military Council, announced his intention to keep Nigeria in OPEC and to continue discussions with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and commercial lenders.

On Jan. 9 the Central Bank of Nigeria issued new controls on foreign exchange, effective from Jan. 1, 1984. The provisions of most interest to U.S. companies are as follows:

(1) Compulsory Advance Import Deposits

The following rates of compulsory advance deposits will continue in 1984:

Raw materials (except petroleum products) 10 percent

Spare parts 15 percent

Food (except rice) 50 percent

Medicines 50 percent

Building materials 50 percent

Capital goods 50 percent

Books (except single copies), periodicals 50 percent

Motor vehicles and trucks 200 percent

Motor cars 250 percent

Other 250 percent

All importers must pay the applicable rates when registering Form M, the Application for Approval of Foreign Exchange. The advance deposit is now applicable to all imports, whether or not they enjoy credit facilities of more than 180 days.

(2) Commissions

The commission payable to agents or confirming houses which act as intermediaries between importers and exporters has been reduced from a maximum of 4 percent to 2 percent of the f.o.b. value of the consignment.

(3) Technical/Management Service Fees

The existing allowable rate of 20 percent of net profits before taxes that may be remitted in foreign exchange will continue in 1984. However, payment of technical and management fees will not be allowed except in exceptionally deserving cases, such as for manufacturing companies where high technology is required.

(4) Consultancy Fees

The present 20 percent limit of consultancy fees payable in foreign exchange continues, but consultancy fees for feasibility or pre-feasibility studies will not be allowed because such studies may be performed locally.

(5) Travel Allowances

The Basic Travel Allowance will be N100 ($135) per year per person. The foreign exchange allowance for business travel has been suspended until further notice.

(6) Student Remittances

No foreign exchange will be made available to any new student. Students already studying abroad will be able to obtain foreign exchange to complete their studies.

For additional information, contact the Nigeria Country Specialist, Office of African Affairs, Room 3317, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; phone 202-377-4388.

COPYRIGHT 1984 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1052/is_v7/ai_3104580/










[size=18pt]28TH FEBRUARY 1984  - ITN NEWS
LEBANESE AND INDIAN COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA UNDER ATTACK BY NEWSPAPERS.[/size]

The large Indian and Lebanese communities in Nigeria have been under attack by the leading Nigerian independent newspaper, accusing them of economic sabotage.The Guardian editorial followed another one last week in the National Concord.

The Indian and Lebanese communities have been accused of bribing bank officials to illegally move foreign currency out of Nigeria, and hoarding goods.The economic success of the Lebanese and Indian communities has been the subject of some jealousy.Between the two communities, they own numerous factories and small businesses.

The new military government which seized power on December 31, 1983 has promised to fight corruption and bring down food prices.
Indians and Lebanese are alleged to be some of the power behind corrupt middlemen. Long jail terms for economic sabotage are being mentioned in the national press.

Genbuhari thanks for the effort you have given to this thread

i just wanted to encourage you

@alj_harem,
Your encouragement is very much appreciated.

I just wish Seun would put his thread on the front page.

[size=18pt]2nd March 1984 – ITN NEWS
GENERAL BUHARI VISITS YOLA AFTER QUENCHING RELIGIOUS RIOTING THAT LEFT DOZENS DEAD.[/size]
Nigeria's military ruler, Major-General Mohamed Buhari, visited the northeastern Nigerian city of Yola - in Gongola state - February 29 to assess the extent of damage caused by violent communal rioting two days earlier.

The known death toll from the religious disturbances is nearly 140, with at least another 60 persons injured, some critically. Gongola's acting state governor, Colonel Cyril Iweze, blamed the turmoil on fanatical followers of Moslem fundamentalist Muhammadu Marwa Maitatsine's religious sect. Marwa himself was killed in vicious rioting three years ago, when an estimated 4,000 people died.

In disturbances on February 27, the army was eventually called in to quell resistance from thousands of religious fanatics, at least 715 of whom were arrested by security forces.

General Buhari visited the Yola Specialist Hospital during his one-day tour of the gutted city, and also met with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Mustapha Aliyu, to discuss the situation.

I am still searching for other sources of archive news clips ,preferably the type that could be embedded on this forum, like youtube clips.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.







[size=18pt]14th March 1984 -  The NY Times
Buhari signs Barter Trade agreement with Brazil who would refine and return Nigeria's oil in exchange for crude oil[/size]

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 13— Brazil has won an international bidding contest to refine Nigerian oil this year, the state oil company, Petrobras, announced today.

The $1.2 billion agreement calls for Brazil to import Nigerian crude and return refined gasoline, jet fuel and diesel oil to Nigeria, a Petrobras spokesman said. He added that the accord would allow Brazil to reduce its idle refining capacity and earn a margin of profit.

Brazil imports about two-thirds of the one million barrels of oil it consumes daily, mostly from the Middle East. It buys 10,000 barrels daily from Nigeria.

[size=18pt]23 March 1984  -  ITN News
BUHARI’S GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES “WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE”[/size]

Nigeria's military government is stepping-up its campaign against corruption, mismanagement and indiscipline at all levels in Nigeria society.

Preliminary hearings into corruption and abuse of office against former politicians and civil administrators have already begun and on March 21 the government launched its war against indiscipline.

One of the first areas under attack is Illegal Street trading in the capital Lagos. The military government of Major-General Buhari has promulgated a decree forbidding the street trading, a major source of income for many thousands of Lagos people. Police have already begun arresting street vendors and confiscating their wares.

The campaign is also designed to foster greater personal and social discipline with Nigerians being urged to queue for buses in an orderly fashion. The crackdown on indiscipline was announced by Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, a member of the Nigerian Supreme Military Council.

BRIGADIER TUNDE IDIAGBON: "I want you to bear in mind the need to emphasise self-discipline and leadership by good example.
Begin by drawing public attention to little but important everyday manifestations of indiscipline such as rushing into buses, driving on the wrong side of the road, littering the streets, parks and dwelling compounds, cheating, taking undue advantage of scarcity to inflate prices for quick monetary gains, constituting ourselves into public nuisances, walking without commitment and devoting little or no time to the upbringing of our children.

Up to this moment there has been no formal declaration of war against indiscipline, it is my pleasure therefore to declare today a launching day for the war against indiscipline."

Please give any suggestions / web sites for archive news

[size=18pt]12TH APRIL 1984  - ITN NEWS
BUHARI'S MILITARY TRIBUNAL MEMBERS SWORN IN TO PROSECUTE 500 DETAINED POLITICIANS, OFFICIALS AND OTHERS CHARGED WITH FINANCIAL FRAUD[/size]
The swearing-in took place in Lagos on April 11 of members of Nigeria's special military tribunals which will try 475 detainees charged with financial misdemeanour.

The military government, in power since a coup on December 31, 1983, arrested public officials and businessmen accused of diverting millions of dollars of public money under the previous civilian regime.
The tribunal members, 20 military officers and five judges, were sworn in by Chief Justice Sodiende Sowemimo, and will begin their work around the end of April in five regional centres.

When Major-General Mohammed Buhari came to power in the New Year's Eve coup, he promised a crackdown on public corruption as one way of solving Nigeria's economic crisis.

In February, 1984, his government launched a "War against Indiscipline" to encourage a more efficient society. More recently, security forces in Lagos rounded up 6,000 suspected criminals, political extremists and illegal aliens.

A drive is currently in progress to force down food prices through raids on shopkeepers and others suspected of hoarding food.

TRANSCRIPT:
NAVAL OFFICER: (SEQ 5) "I (name indistinct), affirm that as member of the special military tribunal in (indistinct) set up under the recovery of public property (special military tribunals) decree 1984 and 1984 Number 3, I will faithfully and impartially, and to the best of my ability discharge the duties devolving upon me under the tribunal, so help me God."

[size=18pt]16TH APRIL 1984  - ITN NEWS
GOVERNMENT RESUMES DEPORTATION OF "ILLEGAL ALIENS"[/size]

The Government has held the influx of foreigners responsible for Moslem sectarian violence and for a rise in violent crime. Another reason for their expulsion was to open up more jobs for Nigerian citizens.

Five airliners provided by Nigerian Airways ferried the deportees to their home countries in West and Central Africa. Before flying out they were taken to transit camps at the airport in Lagos.

I am still looking for other sources of archive news on Nigeria, if you know other good websites, please post them.

[size=18pt]18 April 1984 – ITN News
OFFICIAL SUNDAY OPEN MARKET REPLACES ILLEGAL STREET TRADE.[/size]

A new official Sunday open market started trading in Lagos on April 15, on the site of the Marina car park, to replace illegal street vending.The inaugural speech was made by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Alhaji Lateef Olayinka; the ceremonial ribbon was cut by Lagos State Military Governor, Gbolahan Mudashiru.

Last month a member of the Supreme Military Council, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, announced a clampdown on corruption, indiscipline and mismanagement in the country's economy. This included the removal of illegal street trading in Lagos.

Police, operating under a decree from the military government of Major-General Mohammed Buhari, arrested street vendors and confiscated their goods. Commissioner Olayinka said illegal trading created traffic and environmental problems. He said an official inquiry had recommended a new open market was the best solution.











[size=18pt]29th April 1985 - The NY Times
General Buhari Imposes Curfew To End Religious Riots[/size]

. .BAUCHI, Nigeria, April 28— A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the northern Nigerian town of Gombe, where more than 100 people have died in religious riots, an official statement said today.

Officials said the deaths occurred in two days of fighting between the police and members of the banned fundamentalist Maitatsine Islamic sect.

The Bauchi state government said that anyone violating the curfew ''will be regarded as a fanatic and will be shot on sight.''

The statement said the situation in Gombe was under control and most members of the sect were fleeing the town. A total of 146 suspected members of the sect had been arrested, it added.

Shooting broke out at dawn on Friday when the police tried to arrest Yusufu Adamu, the sect's leader in Gombe. Officials said nothing had been heard of him since, and it was unclear whether he was among those killed.

The initial police action cleared the sect out of its stronghold, but Nigerian television said many more lives were lost that night when the sect killed local people they had taken hostage.

Five airliners provided by Nigerian Airways ferried the deportees to their home countries in West and Central Africa

which countries exactly i wonder.

[size=18pt]30th April 1984 - ITN News
BUHARI SCRAPS OLD NAIRA NOTES AND CIRCULATES NEW CURRENCY IN ORDER TO RENDER STOLEN / SMUGGLED CASH WORTHLESS.[/size]

Nigerians waited in long queues outside banks in Lagos on April 25 to change old notes for new. Nigeria's decision to scrap its currency and start again with a new Naira marked a sudden stepping-up of the military government's attack on corruption.

The government announced on April 24 that banks would start changing new notes for old the next day.
Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, who ranks second in the new administration, said in a national television broadcast that the country's land borders would be closed immediately in a move to render the old Naira worthless abroad.

The changeover will extend to May 6.In that time people will be allowed to change up to 5,000 old Naira for new notes. Anything over that amount must be deposited in banks, accomplished by affidavits proving source and ownership -- another move to pinpoint corruption.
Brigadier Idiagbon said the withdrawal of the old notes had become necessary because rampant smuggling of Naira had been a key factor in the sabotage of the Nigerian economy.

He said that hundreds of thousands of Naira had been found in the homes of several former state governors after the civilian government was ousted on December 31 last year. (remember in 1984 1Naira fetched more than 1 dollar)
Since April 25, bank officials have been trying to move the new money across the counters as fast as they were receiving it, but many have complained that people were forced to queue for hours outside banks which had run out of money to distribute.

Subscribed. Good effort Gen Buhari

this is great, is it possible to get this in a collection?i love thge quote about war about indispline."its the everday things,the small things"their perception was astounding,no wonder Buhari wept for Nigeria

"I want you to bear in mind the need to emphasize self-discipline and leadership by good example.
Begin by drawing public attention to little but important everyday manifestations of indiscipline such as rushing into buses, driving on the wrong side of the road, littering the streets, parks and dwelling compounds, cheating, taking undue advantage of scarcity to inflate prices for quick monetary gains, constituting ourselves into public nuisances, walking without commitment and devoting little or no time to the upbringing of our children.

Up to this moment there has been no formal declaration of war against indiscipline, it is my pleasure therefore to declare today a launching day for the war against indiscipline."
- BRIGADIER TUNDE IDIAGBON; 23 March 1984


This is so apt! Given time, this would have redefined Nigeria and moved us closer to the Nigeria that should be.

IBB why?

Thank you moderators for putting this thread on the front page.

Thanks to everyone else for their encouraging comments It is very much appreciated

Thanks very much for the post, please keep it up,

GenBuhari:

[size=18pt]16TH APRIL 1984  - ITN NEWS
GOVERNMENT RESUMES DEPORTATION OF "ILLEGAL ALIENS"[/size]

The Government has held the influx of foreigners responsible for Moslem sectarian violence and for a rise in violent crime. Another reason for their expulsion was to open up more jobs for Nigerian citizens.

Five airliners provided by Nigerian Airways ferried the deportees to their home countries in West and Central Africa. Before flying out they were taken to transit camps at the airport in Lagos.

I have two questions
* where are all these planes?
* hope this thread will not Resurrect the bitterness that is brewing around the country now.


Thanks Op,good history lesson to all.