Murtala Mohammed: Still an icon, 37 years after

The regime was short but eventful.  It was within the seven months of the administration that the idea of relocating the nation’s capital to a more strategic and safer territory was taken. Within that short period, corruption was tackled with all seriousness.
This national hero as he was generally viewed, believed in the tenets of democracy despite his military background. It would be recalled that during his inaugural speech, why we struck, he expressed deep concern over the state of the nation at that time.
“Events of the past few years have indicated that despite our great human and material resources, the government has not been able to fulfill the legitimate expectations of our people. Nigeria has been left to drift. This situation, if not arrested, would inevitably have resulted in chaos and even bloodshed…
“The nation was thus plunged inexorably into chaos. It was obvious that matters could not, and should not be allowed in this manner, and in order to give the nation a new lease of life, and sense of direction, some drastic measures must be taken…”
Part of the measure taken then was a concrete political programme, which was aimed at re-organizing the political landscape. Another bold step he took then was the cancellation of the 1973 census because of the protest that trailed the exercise.
“With due regard to the 1973 census, it is now clear that whatever results are announced will not command general acceptance throughout the country. It has, therefore, been decided to cancel the census. Accordingly, for planning purposes, the 1963 census figures shall continue to be used, he had ordered.
General Murtala authoritatively postponed the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, citing some reasons like difficulties in providing all the necessary facilities.
In his words in respect of the postponement, he said, “Consultations will be held with other participating countries with a view to fixing a new date.”
In his wisdom and brilliance, General Murtala re-affirmed Nigeria’s friendship with all countries. He said foreign nationals living in Nigeria as well as their investments will be protected adequately.
“The Nigerian government will honour all obligations entered into by previous governments of the federation. We will also give continued support to the Organization of African Unity (present day African Union), the United Nations Organization, and the Commonwealth.”
All these are some of the elements and decisions that have made Nigeria to still remain a solid force in these reputable organizations. Nigeria has been able to build on this feat to establish a strong statue as a force to be reckoned with in international politics.
In his clear-cut warning of putting a halt to the business as usual attitude, he called on fellow Nigerians to sacrifice and imbibe the spirit of self discipline at all levels.
“This government will not tolerate indiscipline. The government will not condone abuse of office as well.”
General Murtala made a deliberate and conscious effort to make Africa the center piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy. He was actively involved in the liberation struggle of many African countries such as Angola, Mozambique and South Africa, among others.
It would be recalled that during O.A.U. now A.U meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1979,he stated categorically, without mincing words and without fear of contradiction that “Africa is no longer under the orbit of any power…Africa is for Africans to make or mar…”
This idea and foreign policy initiative is largely responsible for the giant of Africa status Nigeria has assumed and been known with since then.
On his role in the relocation of the nation’s capital to a more central territory, General Murtala accepted the recommendation of the panel set up for the relocation.
“The panel on the location of the federal capital has recommended that the nation’s capital should move out of Lagos to a federal territory of about 8,000 square kilometers to the central part of the country.
The site recommended has satisfied the panel’s criteria of centrality, good and tolerable climate, land availability and use, inadequate water, low population density, physical planning convenience, security and multi-access possibility. The area is not within the control of any major ethnic groups in the country. We believe that the new capital created on such virgin lands as suggested will be for all Nigerians a symbol of their oneness and unity. The Federal Territory will belong to all Nigerians.”
The issue of resettlement of native did not just start recently, as the vision of late General Murtala Mohammed captured same in the creation of the new territory. He said the few local inhabitants in the area who need to be moved out of the territory for planning purposes will be resettled outside the area in places of their choice at government expense.
As if he knew some of problems that have become cancers in the territory, the regime stated that in order to avoid the issue of land speculation, laws will be made to tackle such.
“In order to avoid land speculation in the area, a decree is being promulgated immediately to vest all land in the Federal Territory to the Federal Government. A Federal Capital Development Authority is to be established to plan and administer the territory. An administrator for the territory will soon be appointed to provide municipal service in the area.”
The late icon emphatically stated that Lagos will, in the foreseeable future, remain the nation’s commercial capital and one of its nerve centers. He further said that in terms of servicing the infrastructures, Lagos state will not be ready to cope.
“It will even be unfair to expect the state to bear this heavy burden alone. It is therefore necessary for the Federal Government to continue to sustain the substantial investment in the area.
“The port facilities and other economic activities in the Lagos area have to be expanded. There is need in the circumstances for the Federal Government to maintain a special defence and security arrangement in Lagos, which will henceforth be designated a special area. These arrangements will be carefully worked out and written into the new constitution.”
Late General Murtala Mohammed became head of the Supreme Military Council with the overthrow of Yakubu Gowon in 1976.He came into office with a promise of sweeping away corruption. He began with cleansing the civil service of over 10,000 personnel on account of old ages, health problems, inefficiency and incompetence.
His administration proposed the return to civilian rule by 1979.Murtala Mohammed introduced the military lexicon “With immediate effect” into the Nigerian speech palace. He became a hero of sorts among mostly older Nigerians that experienced his brief regime and the impact it made. Unfortunately, the corruption he did well in fighting in Nigeria has returned with a strong force, thus wrecking havoc with reckless abandon.
However, for the younger Nigerians that never witness this great hero, they only have to remember his face and picture because it adorns the country’s N20 note till date. The International wing of the Lagos airport is also name after him among many other national monuments across the country.
It would be recalled that on Febuary 13, the day that marked his 37 death anniversary, no serious publicity was given. Nigerian’s President, Goodluck Jonathan reminded Nigerians of this hero when he made mention of the event on his social media platform.
Today marks the 37th anniversary of the death of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, the great patriot who paid the ultimate price for Nigeria. I urge all Nigerians to remember the life and times of this hero of Nigeria who proved the truism in the Maxim that people may die but ideas never die.