NIGERIA CELEBRATES 60 Written by Dauda Awwal (DAL NEWS UK)

DAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS Thursday 1st October, 2020 Volume 201

Facts are the lifeblood of Journalism

(Special Edition)

UK ISSN: 2633-2728

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NIGERIA CELEBRATES 60 Written by Dauda Awwal (UK) We grapple with multiple challenges-Buhari Nigeria 60 years ago was a country whose value system was high and respected; people appreciated the dignity of labour but the problem of leadership and politics. Nigeria future depends on Nigerian’s commitment towards Nigeria. Division is not the solution to Nigeria’s Problem.

Nigeria during the colonial era was a country where people have an affinity for a worthy cause; corruption was very low, our British colonial masters made Nigerians appreciate the value of discipline regardless of tribe and religion.

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After the independence of the present system, all those values had vanished due to bad leadership, tribalism, and nepotism. Nigerian military leaders and civilian leaders seized the opportunity to steal public funds and enrich themselves. The Nigerian politicians have failed Nigerians; Nigeria is a great nation, poor human rights, extrajudicial killings, illegal detention, rape of female detainees and abridgment of electoral right.

Nigeria has natural resources more than many nations of the world; she is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Due to bad leadership and corrupt top government officials, many of her citizens cannot afford three square meals in a day! Nigeria is at the very bottom ladder of development.

PRESIDENT BUHARI FULL OFFICIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH AS EAGLE’S SQUARE,0CTOBER 1ST,2020 I speak to you today as your President and fellow citizen on this epoch occasion of our country’s 60th independence Anniversary. As President, I wish to renew my appreciation to Nigerians for entrusting me with your hopes and aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria.

2. Today, it is my unique privilege to re-commit myself to the service of this great country of great people with profound diversities and opportunities. We are bound by destiny to be the largest and greatest black nation on earth.

3. At this stage in our nationhood it is important that we reflect how we got here to enable us work TOGETHER to get to where we aspire to be as a strong indivisible nation, united in hope and equal in opportunity.

4. On October 1st 1960 when Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa received the constitutional instruments symbolizing Nigeria’s independence, he expressed his wish that having acquired our rightful status as an independent sovereign nation, history would record that the building of our nation proceeded at th 5. This optimism was anchored on the peaceful planning, full and open consultation and harmonious cooperation with the different groups which culminated in Nigeria emerging as a country without bitterness and bloodshed.

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6. Our founding fathers understood the imperative of structuring a National identity using the power of the state and worked towards unification of Nigerians in a politically stable and viable entity.

7. That philosophy guided the foundation that was laid for our young nation of 45 million people with an urban population of approximately 7million occupying an area of 910,768 square kilometers. These demographics led to development challenges for which major efforts were made to overcome.

8. Today, we grapple with multiple challenges with a population exceeding 200million occupying the same land mass but 52% residing in urban areas.

9. Sixty years of nationhood provides an opportunity to ask ourselves questions on the extent to which we have sustained the aspirations of our founding fathers. Where did we do the right things? Are we on course? If not where did we stray and how can we remedy and retrace our steps?

10. Upon attaining independence, Nigeria’s growth trajectory was anchored on policies and programmes that positively impacted on all sectors of the economy. However, this journey was cut short by the 30-months of civil war.

11. We came out of the civil war with a focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation that enabled the country to put in place world class development structures and a strengthened public service that well served the government. This positive trajectory continued with a return to democratic government which was truncated by another round of military rule.

Nigeria

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Nigerian President,Muhammadu Buhari signing Official Documents 12. For a cumulative 29 of our 60 years existence as a nation, we have been under military rule.

13. My summary of our journey so far as a nation is necessary to appropriately chart where we need to go and how to get there TOGETHER. 14. Today, I am aware that our economy along with every single economy in the world is in crisis. We still face security challenges in parts of the country, while our society suffers from a high loss of moral rectitude which is driven by unbridled craving for political control.

15. An underlying cause of most of the problems we have faced as a nation is our consistent harping on artificially contrived fault-lines that we have harboured and allowed unnecessarily to fester.

16. In addition, institutions such as civil service, police, the judiciary, the military all suffered from a general decline.

17. We need to begin a sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunity to eliminate old and outworn perceptions that are always put to test in the lie they always are.

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18. The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nation’s evolution and integration.

19. To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – OUR PEOPLE – and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.

20. It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.

21. Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home have resulted in globally recognized endeavours.

22. I am convinced that if we pursue our aspirations TOGETHER we would be able to achieve whatever we desire. That informed our adopting the theme TOGETHER to mark this epochal event.

23. Together we can change our condition for the better and more importantly, together we can do much more for ourselves and for our country.

24. I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on a daily basis and I must confess that at most times, I always felt the need for a collective reflection as I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

25. Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of challenges we face, to make this country what we desire.

26. To achieve this, we must focus our minds, TOGETHER as a people, on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underlie our present state.

These include: a. Evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people; b. Supporting the enthronement of the rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance; 5

c. Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria; d. Harnessing and Optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top twenty economies of the world and in the process; e. Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years; f. Strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting National Interests; and g. Imbibing tolerance in diversity.

27. I am a firm believer in transparent, free, fair and credible elections as has been demonstrated during my period as a democratically elected President.

28. The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.

29. The problems with our electoral process are mainly human induced as desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.

30. Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognizes the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.

31. This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.

32. It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.

33. Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are a people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

34. As a government, we remain committed to our constitutional oath of securing the lives and properties of the citizenry. I, however, call on the 6

citizenry to also support government by providing the necessary community level intelligence in addressing these challenges.

35. In moving forward together, it is important to strengthen our economy to provide sustainable means of livelihood for as many Nigerians as possible so as to eradicate absolute poverty from our midst.

36. I want to re-emphasize my dedication and commitment, a dedication and commitment that propelled my public service career and informed my quest to continually seek for an opportunity to improve the lives of Nigerians, set the country on the path of prosperity and lead the country to a better future.

37. This administration has been focused on rebuilding and laying the foundations for a sustainable Nigeria. Of course, we have met and are still meeting the challenges inherent in any rebuilding initiative – more so that of a nation like Nigeria that has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation – but can be surmounted if we all work together.

38. I wish to re-iterate that our people and our spirit of excellence remains our most important asset.

39. In this wise, the need to return to our age-old ethical and high moral values would be necessary and this informed my launching of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Monday 28th September, 2020.

40. The policy would not implement itself and the first contact of the visibility of its implementation is the Public Service whose on-going reforms would be expected to be sustainable and give a radical re-direction in providing services to all Nigerians.

41. Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue.

42. Our government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources.

43. In this regard, sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible.

The government, since coming into office has recognized the economic 7

argument for adjusting the price of petroleum. But the social argument about the knock-on effect of any adjustment weighed heavily with the government.

44. Accordingly, in the last three years, we have introduced unprecedented measures in support of the economy and to the weakest members of our society in the shape of: a. Tradermoni b. Farmermoni c. School Feeding Programme d. Job creation efforts e. Agricultural intervention programmes 45. No government in the past did what we are doing with such scarce resources. We have managed to keep things going in spite of the disproportionate spending on security. Those in the previous Governments from 1999 – 2015 who presided over the near destruction of the country have now the impudence to attempt to criticize our efforts.

46. In the circumstances, a responsible government must face realities and take tough decisions.

47. Petroleum prices in Nigeria are to be adjusted. We sell now at N161 per litre. A comparison with our neighbours will illustrate the point; a. Chad which is an oil producing country charges N362 per litre b. Niger, also an oil producing country sells 1 litre at N346. c. In Ghana, another oil producing country, petroleum pump price is N326 per litre.

48. Further afield, Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre. It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.

49. Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great country we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do that which is right and proper even when no one is watching.

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50. Fellow Nigerians, let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the sixty years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities. By the special grace of God we shall come through any transient challenges.

51. It is my sincere hope that by the end of this anniversary on September 30th 2021, we will all be proud of taking this individual and collective selfassessment for the progress of our great Nation.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God Bless us all. Thank you.

Top Government Officials at Eagle Square, celebrating Nigeria at 60

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Who ruled Nigeria before independence?

COLONIAL MASTERS WHO RULED NIGERIA BEFORE THE INDEPENDENCE Who sold Nigeria to the British?

Sir George Goldie, the original name George Dashwood Goldie-Taubman, sold Nigeria to the British colonial masters £865,000. He was born on the 20th of May, 1846, near Douglas, Isle of Man and died 20th of August, 1925.

The name ‘Nigeria' was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name ‘Nigeria' was coined in the late 19th century by British journalist Flora Shaw, who later married Lord Lugard, a British colonial administrator. She was born on 19 December 1852 and died on 25 January 1929.

In 1954 a new constitution (the third in eight years) establishes the Federation of Nigeria and adds the Federal Territory of Lagos. During the later 1950s, an African political structure is gradually achieved. From 1957 there is a federal prime minister. In the same year, the Western and Eastern regions are granted internal self-government, to be followed by the Northern region in 1959.

Full independence follows rapidly, in October 1960. The tensions between the country's communities now become Nigeria's concern. The future of Nigeria is problematic but of considerable importance to Africa. The nation's potential remains vast. With at least 115 million people (comprising some 200 tribes) it is the continent's most populous country.

And as the world's fifth-largest oil producer, it has the wherewithal to be one of the richest.

Nigeria became a British protectorate in 1901. Colonization lasted until 1960 when an independence movement succeeded in gaining Nigeria its independence. Nigeria first became a republic in 1963 but succumbed to military rule three years later after a bloody coup d'eé tat.

Why did the British colonize Nigeria?

The British took an interest in Nigeria because of its resources. The British colonized Nigeria in 1884. It was established as a colony in 1884 at the

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Berlin Conference where Africa was divided by European powers. Britain gained power by the use of its military On January 1, 1914, following the recommendations of Sir Frederick Lugard, the two protectorates were amalgamated to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria under a single governor-general resident in Lagos.

Between 1919 and 1954 the title reverted to the governor.

Who ruled Nigeria before independence?

The sixty years of Britain's colonial rule in Nigeria are characterized by frequent reclassifying of different regions for administrative purposes.

They are symptomatic of the problem of uniting the country as a single state.

The Colonial Era (1882-1960) In the early years, the Niger Coast Protectorate is expanded to become Southern Nigeria, with its seat of government at Lagos. At this time the rulers in the north (the emir of Kano and the sultan of Sokoto) are very far from accepting British rule. To deal with the situation Frederick Lugard is appointed a high commissioner and commander-in-chief of the protectorate of northern Nigeria.

British colonialism began under the pretence of policing the slave trade.

Britain outlawed slavery in 1807 and pushed for forms of "legitimate commerce" such as palm oil and cotton, and in so doing developed an internal infrastructure to facilitate these markets. By the 1820s, the British had made connections with the Sokoto Caliphate, whose highly structured society, aristocracy, and religion struck colonial administrators as more "civilized" than the war-torn groups they encountered in the South. With the discovery of quinine in the 1850s, colonial explorers and missionaries who had been unable to enter the southern interior due to the risk of malaria began contacting a wider range of groups; the British then had treaties and trade policies in place throughout the North and the South.

In the 1850s, the British used trade policies to influence African politics, including deposing rulers who stood in the way of the lucrative palm oil trade. In the 1880s, competition with French colonial powers in Africa prompted a policy shift and in 1882 the northern and southern 11

"protectorates" were established. During the Berlin Conference of 1884– 1885, European leaders determined who had rights to what "spheres of influence." The two protectorates were joined in 1914 under British governor-general Frederick Lugard, and the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria were established. During the regime of Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, Nigeria's grand celebration of the 100th anniversary of the union between the northern and southern regions was marked.

Lord Lugard instituted a policy of indirect rule through native authorities, who collected taxes and performed other local administrative tasks. In the North, Lugard worked through the Fulanis ruling classes, who used the British to retain their power and to acquire wealth. Because rulers were no longer accountable to their people, corruption and poverty spread.

Many Muslims began to see the Fulani leadership as pawns—a sentiment echoed today by members of Islamist movements towards northern leadership. British favoritism towards Muslims, combined with Hausa-Fulani advances into the Middle Belt, led to widespread conversion to Islam.

At the same time, a rising African intelligentsia—graduates of Christian missionary schools—began to challenge British rule in the South.

Christianity spread rapidly at the grassroots level from the 1860s onwards, in large part due to the mission education system. Colonial administrators encouraged conversion to Christianity in the South, especially Anglicanism, as part of their mandate to "civilize" Africa. Mission schools became training grounds for the intellectual, commercial, civic, and military elites, who tended to be promoted by the British colonial government and who would be at the forefront of the nationalist movement. However, at the insistence of Hausa-Fulani leaders in the North, the British barred Christian missionaries from proselytizing there, which meant that Western education was limited to Nigeria's South. It also resulted in a preponderance of Christians among Nigeria's nationalists.

After World War 11, the British began to see that colonialism was no longer pragmatic in Nigeria, and responded to the protests from returned exservicemen who had fought alongside the British in the war by instituting a series of changes meant to develop a federal government. In 1954, the 12

Lyttleton Constitution cemented a federal system with three self-governing states under weak central control. This included a large northern state and smaller eastern and western states, which reflected the three regional units managed separately and differently by the colonial administration. While they loosely corresponded with major ethnic groups, the borders were not intended to demarcate ethnicity and they arbitrarily cut across ethnic and linguistic communities.

As the British never prioritized fostering unity among Nigeria's disparate peoples, colonialism left Nigeria deeply divided.

On 01 January 1901 Nigeria became a British Protectorate under the influence of the Royal Niger Company. In 1914 the British formally united the Niger area as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Administratively Nigeria remained divided into the northern and southern provinces and the Lagos Colony.

Lord Lugard has already been much involved in the colony, commanding troops from 1894 on behalf of the Royal Niger Company to oppose French claims on Borgu (a border region, divided in 1898 between Nigeria and Dahomey). Between 1903 and 1906 he subdues Kano and Sokoto and finally puts an end to their rulers' slave-raiding expeditions.

He pacifies northern Nigeria by ensuring that in each territory, however small, the throne is won and retained by a chief willing to cooperate. Lugard then allows these client rulers considerable power - in the technique, soon to be known as 'indirect rule', which in Africa is particularly associated with his name because he has been familiar with the aspect of British colonial policy in India. In 1912 Lugard is appointed the governor of both northern and southern Nigeria and is given the task of merging them. He does so by 1914 when the entire region becomes the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.By the time of amalgamation of 1914 Nnamdi Azikwe was 10 years ols because he was born in 1904..Chief Obafemi Awolowo was 5 years old because he was born 1909.Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was 2 years old because he was born 1912.Today Nigeria regard the three of then as funding fathers of the Nation.

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Nigeria obtained her independence on 01 October 1960 and became the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 01 October 1963, remaining within the Commonwealth till present.

COLONIAL MASTERS WHO RULED NIGERIA BEFORE THE INDEPENDENCE Sir Frederick Lugard was appointed as Governor-General. He took over office 1 January 1914 and left on the 8th of August 1919.he was born 1858 and died in 1945.

Governors of Nigeria from 1919-1954 1. Sir Hugh Clifford took over office as Governor of Nigeria from 8 August 1919 till the 13th of November 1925. He was born in 1866 and died in 1941.

2. Sir Graeme Thomson became Governor of Nigeria on the 13th of November 1925 till the 17th of June 1931. He was born in 1877 and died in 1933.

3. Sir Donald Cameron became Governor of Nigeria on the 17th of June 1931 and left on 1 November 1935. He was born in 1872 and died in 1948.

4. Sir Bernard Bourdilion became Governor of Nigeria in Lagos November 1935 till the 1st of July 1940. He was born in 1883 and died in 1948.

5. Sir John Evelyn Shuckburgh became Governor of Nigeria on the 1st of July 1940 till 1942.He was born in 1877 and died in 1953.

6. Sir Alan Burns became Governor of Nigeria 1942 and left 18 December 1943. He was born in 1887 and died in 1980.

7. Sir Arthur Richards became Governor of Nigeria on 18 December 1948 till 5 February 1948. He was born in 1885 and died in 1878.

8. Sir John Macpherson became Governor of Nigeria on 5 February 1948 and left 1st October 1954. He was born in 1888 and died in 1971.

Governor-General of Nigeria 1. Sir John Macpherson became the first Governor-General of Nigeria on 1st October 1954 and left on 15 June 1955. He was born in 1888 and died in 1971.

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2-Sir James Wilson Robertson became second Governor-General on 15 June 1955 till 16 November 1960. He was born in 1899 and died in 1903.

3-Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first Nigerian who became GovernorGeneral on 16 November 1960 till 1st October 1963. He was born in 1904 and died in 1996 during the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime.

NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS AND INDEPENDENCE TILL PRESENT

MILITARY

LEADERS

SINCE

1960

1 Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa 1960-1963 2 President Nnamdi Azikiwe

1963-1966

3 Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi January- July.1966 4 General Yakubu Gowon

1966-1975

5 General Murtala Ramat Mohammed

1975-1976

6 General Olusegun Obasanjo

1976-1979

7 Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari

1979-1983

8 Major-General Muhammadu Buhari

1983-1985

9 General Ibrahim Babangida

1985-1993

10 President Ernest Shonekan

1993-1993 (82 days)

11 General Sani Abacha

1993-1998

12 General Abdulsalami Abubakar

1998-1999

13 President Olusegun Obasanjo

1999-2007

14 President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

2007-2010

15 President Goodluck Jonathan

2010-2015

16 President Muhammadu Buhari

2015 till present

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the Prime Minister (1960-1963) Balewa played a very important role in the transitional period between the colonial and indigenous rule of Nigeria. His legacy was created by 15

cooperation between ethnic groups and the mediation of other African conflicts. Balewa was murdered during the military coup of Nigeria in 1966.

Nnamdi Azikiwe Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first President of Nigeria after the country became a fully independent republic and Nigeria cut ties with Britain almost completely. Azikiwe is well known for promoting modern Nigerian and African nationalism. Azikiwe held many political positions within Nigeria, including representing the Queen as head of state from 1960-1963.

Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966) Aguiyi-Ironsi was a senior Nigerian officer in the military and led the 1966 military coup against Azikiwe's government. The coup started by AguiyiIronsi and his army killing the highest rank politicians in the North and West of the country (including Balewa, the first Prime Minister). He ruled Nigeria as Head of state for 194 days (January 1966- June of 1966), He was murdered in a counter-coup by unhappy members of the Nigerian armed forces.

General Yakubu Gowon (1966-1975) General Gowon seized power after the counter-coup against Aguiyi-Ironsi.

In 1967 after tensions had reached a boiling point, the Nigerian Civil War broke out. This was caused by Eastern Nigerians (namely the Igbo people) desiring to secede from Nigeria and form their own country. Hundreds of soldiers and millions of civilians were killed in the war, many properties were destroyed. The war was known as the Biafran War from 1967-1970.

Muritala Ramat Muhammed had overthrown Gowon while Gowon was in Kampala to submit Nigeria's OAU Reports.Biafra struggle continues after the death of Ojukwu till today.Yoruba is planning to create Yoruba Nation, we don’t know where Hausa people stand. Is it possible to divide Nigeria again? I strongly believe that British Government and American Government may not support this because it may affect all their businesses and Diplomatic ties with Nigeria. We shall come to that, let me continue my story.

General Gowon achieves an impressive degree of reconciliation in the country after the traumas of 1967-70. Nigeria now becomes one of the 16

wealthiest countries in Africa, thanks to its large reserves of oil (petroleum now, rather than the palm-oil of the previous century). In the mid-1970s the output is more than two million barrels a day, the value of which is boosted by the high prices achieved during the oil crisis of 1973 to1974.

General Murtala Mohammed (1975-1976) General Murtala Mohammed removed Gowon from power and many highranking politicians and officials to differentiate his government from that of Gowon. He set up a committee to investigate the corrupt leaders in Gowon's government and many were charged for corruption. He was assassinated on February 13, 1976, in a bloody coup led by Dimka.

Olusegun Obasanjo became a new Head of State.

Major General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979) Obasanjo re-established security in the country and continued Muritala's agenda. He supported the general elections in 1979 and created the Nigerian Constitution after reviewing the 1966 constitution. On the 1st of October, 1979, Obasanjo peacefully handed power over to a civilian ruler, Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

President Shehu Shigari (1979-1983) Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shigari served as Nigeria's second President under the platform of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN. After the booming oil prices cooled off in 1981, the Nigerian economy was in trouble. The deterioration of the Nigerian economy, as well as consistent allegations of corruption and mismanagement, led to Shagari being overthrown by Babangida/Idiagbon in another military coup in 1983. Obasanjo was invited to become Head of state again but he rejected the offer from Gen.Ibrahim Babangida.

Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985) After successfully overthrowing the democratically elected government of Shigari, Buhari was appointed by the Nigeria Army in 1983 to become head of state. Buhari/Idiagbo implemented good policies and introduced War Against Indiscipline, WAI detained many Nigerian corrupt politicians and jailed them. Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Buhari/Idiagbon's government.

General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993) 17

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida took power with the support of loyal mid-level military personnel which he had strategically placed into positions to benefit his aspirations of power. In 1990, Babangida's government was almost overthrown by a failed coup attempt from the Army. In June of 1993, Presidential elections were held in Nigeria with the goal of the civilian rule being restored. After these elections, Babangida and his government decided to nullify the results, which led to civil unrest in the country. He created eleven states. Akwa Ibom and Katsina on 23 September 1987, Abia, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba and Yobe on 27 August 1991.

The decision to move to Abuja was made by the late Gen.Muritala Mohammed in 1976 but he was murdered in 1976. It was one King Abubakar who founded the city of Abuja and later became the Federal Capital Territory due to the population pressure and political and ethnic division in Lagos. Abuja became new Federal capital on December 12, 1991, when Babangida moved the seat of power from Lagos to Abuja After much tension, Babangida stepped aside for National Interim Government and appointed Chief Ernest Shonekan.August 1993.

President Ernest Shonekan (1993)-82 Days Shonekan tried to create a timetable that would lead the Nigerian people back to a democratic rule. This initiative failed as Shonekan's interim administration only lasted 82 days. He was overthrown by his own Secretary of Defence, Gen.Sani Abacha.

General Sani Abacha (1993-1998) Sani Abacha took a prominent role in the 1983 Nigerian coup d'eĂŠ tat which brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power in 1983, and the August 1985 coup which removed Buhari from power. When General Ibrahim Babangida was named President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1985, Abacha was named Chief of Army Staff. He was appointed Minister of Defence in 1990. Abacha became in 1993 the first Nigerian soldier to attain the rank of a full General without skipping a single rank.

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Gen.Sani Abacha was also involved with the 1966 counter-coup; he led the 1993 military coup against the interim government. Abacha's military legacy is one of the successful coup attempts. His political legacy rests upon his remarkable economic achievements; Abacha managed to increased Nigerian foreign reserves from $494 million in 1993 to $9.6 billion by the middle of 1997, Abacha also reduced the debt of Nigeria from $36 billion in 1993 to $27 billion in 1997. He created several new states Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara, Abacha died mysteriously on June 8, 1998, and was succeeded by Ge, Abubakr Abdussalami.

Nigerian Government refused to disclose what they used all the returned looted money during his Government to Nigerians since 1999 till present. $750 milllion was returned to Abubakar Abdussalami in 1998.$64 million was returned to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000.$1.2 billion also was returned to Obasanjo 2002.$160 million was returned in 2003 to Nigerian Government during Obasanjo from Jersy.Another $88million was returned to Obasanjo from Switzerlant 2003.Another $44 million was returned from Switzerland 2006 to Obasanjo.Another $461 million was returned to Obasanjo 2005 from Switzerland.$227million was returned to the Nigerian government during Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.Another $322 million was returned to Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 from Switzerland.Another $308 million was returned to Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 from United States of America.Total lootod money,repatriated recovered was $3.624 billion dollar from 1998-2020.Abacha donated to money to Nigeria from the land of the dead.The former Nigerian Head of State who ruled from 1993-1998 was a strategist soldier.He kept the money in Jersy Island,United States,United Kingdom,Liechtenstein and Switzerland.Buhari established Social Intervention Programmes, SIPs to keep all the looted money but there are strong evidence that all the recovered money has been re-looted.

Nigerians Happy Independence General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999) Gen Abubakr Abdussalami was sworn in on the 9th of June, 1998. His government created a new Nigerian constitution that would be implemented once a democratically elected leader was in place. Shortly

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after he was sworn in, Abubakar promised to hold general elections and step down as leader of Nigeria within one year.

President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) Gen.Ibrahim Babangida initiated Obasanjo to become a democratically elected Nigeria's President under the platform of People's Democratic Party, PDP. He won 62% of the vote and his election day is now marked as Democracy Day, a public holiday in the country. In his first term in office, Obasanjo spent most of his time traveling abroad to reassure potential investors, especially those in the USA and UK, that the oil industry was stable, and that Nigeria was a fair and democratic country.

Obasanjo was granted a second term in office in 2003 by Nigerians, winning 61% of the vote and defeating former military leader Muhammad Buhari.

He attempted to contest for the third time but he was rejected by the party leaders and associates. He handed power to the late Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'Adua May 29, 2007.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (2007-2010) Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'Adua was declared the winner and assumed the Presidential office of Nigeria May 29, 2007. Yar'Adua fell ill and was unable to uphold his Presidential duties. This led to him being absent from public life and a dangerous situation was arising in Nigeria. His powers were transferred to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, who took over as an acting President during. Yar'Adua died May 5, 2010, and Goodluck Jonathan became president in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015) After becoming President due to the death of Yar'Adua, Jonathan contested the 2011 Nigerian presidential election and he won. He implemented a major strategy to stabilize the power supply of Nigeria, as blackouts were costing the economy millions, Jonathan was considered by many people to be a staunch opponent of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group, even though his armed forces were not able to defeat the group that still operates today. Jonathan built Almajiri schools for Northerners and built more universities. He lost in the 2015 presidential election.

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President Muhammadu Buhari (2015-Present) Buhari has contested in the presidential election three times and lost, Buhari was finally successful in his 2015 bid to become President. He defeated the incumbent president Jonathan, he was sworn in on 29 May 2015. Buhari became the second ex-military leader to become the President of Nigeria. He was re-elected president, defeated Atiku Abubakar in February 2019. He has promised Nigerians to fix the problem of education, security, health sector, and economic crisis and promised to defeat Boko Haram.

NIGERIA AT 60 Nigeria has natural resources more than many nations of the world, she is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Due to bad leadership and corrupt top government officials, many of her citizens cannot afford three square meals in a day! Nigeria is at the very bottom ladder of development.

It is very important to look at the yesterday, today and take a peep into the future. There are many challenges the building Nigeria as a nation, there are countless graduates better off of 1960 graduates, but no job for them to survive, this led to crimes in northern part of the country, challenges on security, energy, education, road, if government doing nothing on all the challenges facing the nation, then the future of Nigeria will be bleak.

In 1960, the nationalists ruled the nation with truly selfless personalities, they loved the country genuinely, people like Nnamdi Azikwe, Herbert Macaulay, Tafawa Balewa, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro.

People came after they disappointed the nation in critical areas like education, security, health, road, energy, water supply.

Nigerian economy cannot grow without having recourse to the educational revolution. Education is the key to development and it has the power to modify people's behaviour. Take the Almajiri for instance, they are not educated, these are people who never had any sympathy in their lives and when they grow to an adult, what type of sympathy do you expect them to have for other people's lives? But if the government educates them, 21

education would modify their behaviour; they will not become so violent and join terrorist gangs.

During Jonathan's government, 150 Almajiri schools across the northern states were built and out-of-school-children program including specialized boys and girls schools across the country have given meaning to the lives of hitherto despaired children.

Nigeria's economy is in serious crisis and the crisis can only be resolved if the government is committed to resolving it. One Naira to British Pounds is 600 Naira.

Nigeria is a great nation; Nigeria has a very larger land area covering 923,768 Square Kilometres. This land area is double the size of France four times larger than either Ghana or Great Britain and twenty times larger than Togo. There are about 167 million people which is ten times more than all Ghanians twice the population of Britain or France.

Nigeria is a rich nation, having forty-seven percent of all the wealth and riches of Black Africa, about 50 years of crude oil wealth.

Educationally, Nigeria has many educated people, so many primary and secondary schools and several higher institutions like Polytechnics, Colleges of Basic Studies and over sixty universities, Nigeria has more universities than Great Britain and France. There are an estimated ten million university-trained professionals, the largest best trained, most acquisitive black cities in the world, in fact, Nigeria is not only the giant of African but God's own country in African.

Geographically, Nigeria has sea to the South, forest in the Southern region, savannah in the middle belt and Sahara to north, there are long rivers, Niger and Benue flowing up North to the southern, seawater and has other smaller rivers and streams, there are swampy areas, sandy areas, hills and high plateaus and mountains.

In 1960, South Korea and Nigeria were at a similar level of economic development, thirty years later, South Korea had become the 13th most industrialized nation in the world and Nigeria had become the world's 13th poorest nation.

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Malaysia went to Nigeria in 1960 and took palm seedlings, today it is the largest exporter of palm oil. In 1972, Nigeria and Indonesia were agricultural-based economy and had common characteristics. Nigeria's economy was S11 billion, Indonesia US $12 Billion. In 1995, Indonesia had gone up to the US $202 Billion, while Nigeria was the US $28.7 Billion.

Today, the level of corruption in the public sector in Nigeria increased rapidly.

Nigerians create all Nigeria's problems they need to work hard to lay a very solid foundation for the growths of Democracy. This is a time of hard work to bring comfort democracy.

Nigeria is rich to finance its spending, for instance, a breakdown of earnings in 2010 from three agencies of government indicates that N2.83 trillion was earned as revenue from taxes by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, while another N546 billion was earned by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. Nigeria earned N7.2 trillion from sales of crude oil. The Energy Information Administration EIA, of the United States Department of Energy, reports that Nigeria earned this revenue on oil between January and September 2010. From those three sources alone, N10.5 trillion ought to have accrued to the Federal Account.The figure was more than enough to prosecute the N4.6 trillion budget of 2010. In 2007 oil income was N4.5 trillion, N6.7 trillion in 2008 and N1.2 trillion in 2009.

Nigeria has never broke and will never break but the challenge has been the bad leadership and inadequate to transform her human and natural resources into meaningful improvement in the socio-economic development of the country.

Nigeria is the world's Darkest Nation, the issue of energy being a factor in the nation's crippled economy is no longer news!

The nation's energy needs being met by petrol and diesel generators.

Nigeria needs to generate a 280, 000 megawatts of electricity. the total generation in Nigeria today amounts to 1,000 MWs, former late president Umar Yar'Adua tried 9-10,000 MWs, the project sets up 12 power stations, 102 transmission lines, 22 transformers rather than to fund the projects,

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his administration went on a wild goose chases. He spent $7.2 billion i.e 1.051 trillion without fruitful results.

Can four thousand megawatts meet the demand of one hundred and sixtyseven million people?

Canada 33 million population generates 108.533MWs, South Africa 44 million generates 80,000 MWs, Kenya 31 million generates 22,000 MWs, Morocco 34 million generates 3,592 MWs, Finland 5.2 million generates 12,078 MWs, Egypt 81 million generates 14,250 MWs. Ghana celebrated a decade of uninterrupted power supply while Nigeria is wallowing in the horror of darkness.

Nigeria is a great nation; poor human rights, extrajudicial killings; illegal detention, rape of female detainees, an abridgment of electoral rights.

Nigeria has not been lucky with good leadership since the end of British colonial masters and Azikiwe. Awolowo and Tafawa Balewa, the first republic was a result of the 1966 coup and that affected the nation's sociopolitical development since then to date.

Nigeria can set an example of transparency, credibility and dignified, peaceful democracy so that it would be welcome by Nigerians and international communities. The filth of Corruption had become an everyday experienced monumental proportion.

Nigeria leaders think about how to take care of themselves from easy billions of dollars from oil revenue, then help friends and cronies, and insecurity was its worst in Nigeria today, and this could cause set back to foreign investors to invest in a business in Nigeria.

The travel alert issued by the United States Department of State to its citizen constitutes a damning verdict on the prevalent fragile security of lives and properties in Nigeria. The U.S Citizens advised avoiding travel in Nigeria especially to some states like Akwa Ibom, Abia, Edo, Imo, Jos, Bayelsa, Delta, Bauchi, and the Borno States.Some of the said areas vulnerable to kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, rape, and other violent crimes. We hope this damning verdict will spur President Muhammadu Buhari (APC) to impress it on his security chiefs and fight against insecurity in the country.

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Nigeria must change for better, she needs true democrat. Buhari may fail if he ignores solutions to solve Nigeria's problems, and Nigeria will remain in the paradoxical position of being the richest poor country in the world.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan once said: ''Our system has collapsed'' in his 51st-anniversary speech in Nigeria.

In Nigeria they are very religious, the number of Churches and Mosques in every Street corner including Lagos expressway across the country, they believe in God as the solver of every problem, the Muslims pray five times daily, the Christians evoke holy ghost fire to consume everything consumable that seem to be hindrances to their success in life particularly Pentecostal Movement. In fact, their leaders believe in religion, they pray for the nation in Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem, but why Nigeria is still wallow in darkness, their prayer supposed to draw them to God and bring peace to Nigeria, Ignorance to the rules of democracy led to corruption in the country, the Second Republic in Nigeria did manifest the worst understanding of democracy, tribalism was openly enthroned.

According to Abraham Lincoln, he described democracy as government of people by the people for the people, we can say democracy cannot be sustainable without transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, constitutionalism and the rule of law, free press, fearless judiciary and true legislative people of Nigeria have been thrown into a vast sea of excrement with their hands and feet tightly chained together and left to suffocate and drown.

To me, it's like the country has been cursed by some divine power to wallow forever in abject poverty with rich potential, killings, kidnappings, and terrorism, the present situation in Nigeria demand new evangelism.

Nigeria has joined the list of the most dangerous countries to live around the world, Nigerian problem lies on knowledge without character, right without responsibility, politics without principles, worship without fear of Almighty God, leadership without the qualities of leadership, empty promises from Nigerian politicians.

In Nigerian, politicians have become power-drunk and trespassed all the political rules laid down by the rules, this led to political crisis and controversial census figures and highly rigged 1964 general election led to 25

the military coup of January 15, 1966, many politicians lost their lives, the problem continues since then till the present day.

Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of who possess it-William Pelt Nigeria is a country richly endorsed with natural resources and highly human capita.

Indeed, it is a paradox that Nigeria, the world's eighth-largest exporters of crude oil, endowed with many mineral resources, still has more than 70% of its population living below the poverty line as a result of corruption and economic mismanagement. Nigerian political leadership class in the past has been of self-services as some of the leaders are ruled with personal goals.

Chinua Achebe said in his book titled 'The trouble with Nigeria' .There is nothing wrong with Nigerian land, climate, water, air, or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to raise their responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which is the hallmark of time leadership.

LEADERSHIP Leadership has been defined in so many ways by writers, leadership may be defined as a body of people who lead and direct the activities of a group towards a shared goal. Leadership as the process of persuasion or example by which an individual induces a group to pursue objectives held by the leader or shared by the leader and his or her followers, so leader is expected to demonstrate qualities, which embrace but not limited to good character, vision, tact prudent and ability to lead by example enable to achieve important goals.

Political leadership refers to the ruling class that bears the responsibilities of managing the affairs and resources of a political entity by setting and influencing policy priorities affecting the territory through different decision-making structures and institutions created for the orderly development of the territory. It could be a human element that operates the pieces of machinery of government on behalf of an organized territory.

CORRUPTION 26

Corruption: Abuse of public power or position for personal advantage or abuse of public office for private gains for the benefit of the golden of the office or some third party. And this violates the norms of the system of political order when the leader is corrupt; it becomes difficult for him or her to act positively to the benefit of the state and its citizens. This is the situation Nigerian status has found herself since independence till today.

Nigeria leaders have unlimited access to unlimited public funds for personal use, Nigeria has witnessed many military and civilian generation of corrupt political leaders since 1960 till date.

The origin of corruption in Nigeria predates the colonial era, according to a colonial government report CGR of 1947.''The African background and outlook on public morality are different from that of the present-day Briton.

The African in the public service seeks to further his own financial interest'' (Okonko 2007 before the independence of 1960, there have been cases of official misuse of resources for personal enrichment. (story 1953) the first republic.

CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA (1960-1966) Under the leadership of Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa, The Prime Minister and Nnamdi Azikwe, the President under the leadership of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was marked by widespread corruption government officials looted public funds with impunity it's like the first republic politically based on Nigeria ,leadership class on politics for material gain, make money and living well. This led young middle-rank army officers to overthrow the government through a coup of 15th January 1966.

In 1956, the foster, Sutton tribunal of inquiry investigated the premier of the defunct eastern region. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe for his involvement in the affairs of the African continental bank, (ACB), the code of conduct for government officials stipulates that a government officer shall relinquish his holdings in private business when he assumes public office. The foster Sutton tribunal discovered that Azikwe did not severe his connections to the bank when he became a premier, he tribunal reported that Azikwe continued to use his influence to promote the interests of bank(report of foster Sutton tribunal of inquiry,1956:42 Sklar 2004:185) moreover ,Azikwe his family and Zik Group of companies were principal shareholders 27

of the African continental bank, as indicated in the report of the tribunal of inquiry, the bank loaned over ÂŁi63,000 to the Zik Group of companies at a lower interest rate and extended period, which meant that the Zik Group did not have to repay the loans until 1971. in 1962, chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first premier of the western region was also investigated and found guilty of corruption by the Coker Commission of Inquiry.

FIRST MILITARY COUP (JANUARY 1966-JULY 1966) In response to the corruption of the first republic Gen.Aguiyi Thomas Ironsi replaced the sacked civilian government, and arrested al number of ministers who formed companies and use their influence to secure contract, most of the civil servants with Nigeria Railway Corporation,(NRC), Nigeria Port Authority,(NPA), Nigeria Electricity Corporation(NEC) were jailed. The zeal to punish the wrongdoers of the first republic died with the General Yakubu Gowon in the coup of July 1966 which ousted the Aguiyi Ironsi government, because the politicians in detention were freed.

CORRUPTION DURING GOWON (1966-1975) Gen.Yakubu Gowon came at a time Nigeria experienced an unprecedented wealth from the oil boom of 1970. Apart from the mismanagement of the economy, Gowon's government was enmeshed in deep-seated corruption, some Nigerians happy with his government particularly in the east, this led to 1967-1970, Biafra war.1974 reports of an unaccountable wealth of Gowon's military governors and other public office holders had become the crux of discussion in almost Nigeria Dailies Newspaper.

This led Gen.Muritala Ramat Muhammed to topple Gowon's government in July 1975 to end the corruption in public service. He declared his assets and asked all government officials to follow suit, he probed officials, the federal assets investigation panel of 1975 found ten of the twelve military governors in the Gowon regime guilty of corruption and they were dismissed from the military services with ignominy.

The Belgore Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the cement Armada, the commission indicted the Gowon government of inflating contracts for cement on behalf of the ministry of defence for 28

private profit at a great cost to the government the commission noted that the ministry of defence needed only 2.9million ton of cement at a cost of N52 million as against the E 16million metric tons of cement, it ordered at a cost of N557 million (AFOLABI 1993) The Commission requested from stole public funds to return the money to the treasury, but, Gen.Muritala was assassinated after only six months in office and succeeded by his Chief of Staff, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo,i13 February 1976. Obasanjo did not continue the zeal of Muritala till he handed power to Shagari in Oct. 1979. The commission noted that the ministry of defence needed only 2.9 million tons of cement at a cost of N52million as against the 16 million metric tons of cement, it ordered at a cost of N557 million.

CORRUPTION DURING the SECOND REPUBLIC IN NIGERIA (1979-1983) The second republic under Alh.Shehu Aliyu Shagari witnessed a resurgence of corruption, his government was marked by spectacular government, corruption president did nothing to stop the looting of public funds by elected officials, it was claimed that over $16billion in oil revenues were lost between 1979 & 1983 during Shagari. Under Shagari, Umaru Dikko was his transport minister was alleged to have mismanaged about N4 Billion of public funds for the importation of rice.

MILITARY INTERVENTION (1983-1985) 31 December 1983, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari overthrew his government and rescued the economy from the grip of corrupt politicians of the second republic. And restoring discipline and BUHARI/IDIAGBON Promised Nigerians to bring all corrupt leaders to book, but Buhari freed Shagari, many governors and commissioners were arrested and jailed for 100 years/340 years.

MILITARY INTERVENTION (1985-1993) 27 August 1985 Gen Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Buhari's Government in a bloodless in the coup.

The next thirteen years no serious attempt to stop corruption. He appointed many of the former critics of the Buhari Government into 29

positions in his government, this portrayed him as an agent of change, he created the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP),He created Peoples Bank, Road Safety Commission, Rural infrastructure, Better life for rural women, he organized the freest and fairest election in 1993 and annulled it.

He handed power over to the Ernest Shonekan, led Interim National Government.

INTERIM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (August to November 1993 ) Shonekan ruled Nigeria for 82 days; he was ousted from power by military, Gen. Sani Abacha on the 17 Nov.1993, MILITARY INTERVENTION (1993-1998) Gen.SanniAbacha came to power on 17th November 1993 when Shonekan resigned, he inaugurated Confab, he dissolved the executive of NUPENG, PENGASAN. He announced new fuel price, petrol n11 Diesel N9 Kerosene, N6 Fuel, N7 Per Litre, He created 6 new states. Abacha jailed Olusegun Obasanjo,Dasuki, Sambo,Abdulkareem Adisa, Olanrewaju,Gen.Diya and co.

Abacha's government furthered the deep-seated corrupt practice. Abacha looted Nigeria's public funds, the United Kingdom, United States of America (USA) and Switzerland returned more than $4billion to Nigerian Government 1998 during Abubakar Abdussalaami,2005 during Obasanjo,2009 during Yar'Adua and 2013 during Jonathan-this present administration, The question is where are all those returned looted money gone ?.

In1994, Okigbo panel report on the re-organization and reform of the central bank of Nigeria indicted former military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Late Sanni Abacha and former governor of central bank of Nigeria, the late Alh Abdul Kadir Ahmed for mismanaging about $12.4 billion oil windfall between 1988-1994,the report was submitted to the Federal Government.

The crude oil of 65,000 barrels per day for the finance of special priority projects including Ajaokuta Iron and Steel, Itakpe Iron mining and Shiroro Hydro-Electric Projects, the account was to be used to external debt buyback and build-up of reserves the quality was subsequently increased to 105,000 barrels per day and in early 1994 to 150,000 barrels per day, 30

stabilisation account to receive the windfall of oil proceeds of the gulf war and a special account for mining and signature were opened,altogether, $12.4billion was received into these accounts from 1988 to June 1994,all of which was frittered away dubiously leaving only a balance of $206 million as of 30th June 1994, item 0.38)it was in 1985 when it stood at N1 TO $1.004 Check Okigbo panel..

MILITARY INTERVENTION (1998-1999) Gen Abubakar Abdussalami was called to be the head of state on 9th 1998

by Gen.Ibrahim Babangida after the sudden death of Abacha, Salami retired Gen.Oseni and Al-Mustapha to save his Government, he announced the new fuel price to N20 Per Litre, also changed NECON to INEC and approved 9 Political Party, he looted a lot of public funds and all the money his government recovered from looted money by late Sanni Abacha.

Salami did not give any account of all money returned to Nigeria from Foreign Countries. Salami has N493.85 Billion in the local account and another foreign account which states ÂŁ1.31billion, like the time he was handling power to Obasanjo in 1999.

CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT (1999-2007) Obasanjo became Nigerian president May 29, 1999, he had all the powers to tame the monster of corruption in Nigeria, but he failed,2001 he promised Nigerians would enjoy 24/7 power supply but he did not do anything, his election in 1999 was massively flawed, he just had to win and OluFalae had to lose.

Olusegun Obasanjo squandered about $16.3 billion on the power sector. He set up ICPC 2000, EFCC 2003 to nag who attack him. Most of the corrupt politicians whose petitions were pending before the ICPC and EFCC for various reasons, there are politicians like state governors in Nigeria who by nature of their immunity clause, EFCC could not investigate, one of the EFCC Officer told me in Abuja during one of my investigations, he said: ''This categories of officer claim protection under section 309 of the constitution but the task will take immediate action as soon as they are out of office''.

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Former ICPC Chairman also told us at a different occasion that the commission has received petition involving about 24 governors in the country of corruption during the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo''.

My question here is this, Obasanjo who set up the commission also involved in the mess, Obasanjo acquired a thousand acres of land in different states for his farms, his bell university gulped a whooping sum of N500 Billion along Lagos/Badagry way. He acquired the land the regime of Ex-Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the land situated at IwesereTopaVillage, one of Obasanjo' s Ex-Minister once said:'' Obasanjo has only N20,000 in his bank account before his civilian administration began 1999.

After eight years in power, Obasanjo 's stupendous power wealth is inversely proportional to abject poverty. Today his investment in palm oil, farming, education, hospital business, he has developed his farm with Nigerian public funds. He has developed his farms in Ibogun, Iseyin, IgboOra, Ibadan.

According to his former Special Assistant, Chief Femi Fani Kayode,'' President Obasanjo s farm makes an average of N30 Million a month or N360 Million per year''.Obasanjo is the richest farmer in Nigeria. During his regime, he banned the importation of grandparent stock a variety of chicken, so that his farm has a sole franchise for them.

During Obasanjo's regime, he sold Nigerian refinery in Port-Harcourt and sold Kaduna Refinery to Alico Dangote (It was Yar'Adua who return it to National Asset), he privatized Nitel, Muritala, MuhammedAirport, He used $42 million to buy new Presidential Jet 5NFCT A BoingBusiness Jet(BBJ) 737-800,the plane was delivered to Nigeria July 7, 2005. Obasanjo sold Ajaokuta Steel Company to Global Steel Holding owned by Jimoh Ibrahim.

He sold Port-Harcourt Refinery to Blue star consortium owned by Femi Otedola, he sold Peugeot Automobile to Alh Sanni Dauda, he sold NICON to Jimoh Ibrahim, he sold national oil to Mike Adenuga, he sold NITEL to Transcorp, he sold Benue Cement Company to Alico Dangote, he said because FG invested N800 Billion in public enterprises and lost huge loses.

He was a President without a minister of petroleum for eight years. During his regime, the Nigerian Federal Government was making 32

$200,000,000(two hundred million dollars) per day. Nuhu Ribadu who was EFCC Chairman could touch him.

During Obasanjo, Obaasnajo launched his Presidential Library on May 14, 2005, at Abeokuta and gathered 8.5billion, Femi Otedola gave him N250Million, Mike Adenuga donated N350Million, Alico Dangote N250 million, Consortiums of Banks NI.9 Million, Consortium of Oil Companies.

N2.4 Million, Nigeria Port Authority $1Million, Late Alh. ArisekolaAlao N150 million, Former Nigeria President, Earnest Shonekan1Million, Ogun State Obas N5 million, All Aides of Obasanjo N2million, People Democratic Party,(PDP) N25Million, Obasanjo holdings N100million.

Lagos Lawyer, Late Gani Fawehinmi opposed the project and dragged Obasanjo to Federal High Court in Abuja and he urged EFCC to investigate Obasanjo' s wealth from 1999-2005, he claimed that Obasanjo violated Nigerian constitution section 5(5) which states ''the state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power'', he said further that Obasanjo abused item1 fifth schedule, part 1 of the Nigerian constitution which states that'A public officer shall not put himself in position here his interest conflict with his duties and responsibilities. but, all of Gani's efforts yielded nothing..!

During Obasanjo regime Tafa Balogun Former Nigeria Inspector General of Police, (AIG) stole 1.69 billion kept it in defunct fountain bank between 9-November-January24 2005, Obasanjo arrested him.

The total revenue realized from the sales of Nigerian crude oil between January- June 2005 only has estimated at N2.075 trillion. During Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) Convention, Obasanjo bribed delegates NI Billion at Transcorp in Abuja.

Obasanjo is against President Goodluck Jonathan because Jonathan has refused to dance to his tune on certain issues and also tried to tell guide him and asked Jonathan to do several things that were wrong and unacceptable. Obasanjo told newsmen recently that Jonathan is planning to stir chaos in the country as ex-leader of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo did and Jonathan replied him in his statement available to the newsmen that ‘'It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo's serial vituperations against President 33

Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform Nigeria for the benefit of all of its people that he has willfully chosen to close his eyes to the present administration's good works and intentions, for reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by ‘hook or crook' and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election. For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) And other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted‌.After a few months, I saw Obasanjo asked Local PDP Chairman in Abeokuta to tear his PDP membership card.

CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT (2007-2010) Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'Adua became Nigeria president May 29, 2007, after forty-eight years of Nigeria political independence, 3dollars went to his account on each barrel sold from 2.8 million barrels per day, he died May 5, 2010, and Jonathan became president.

War against corruption in Nigeria from 1999 till present, one has cause to acknowledge the fact that not much effort has been put in the fight due to the immunity clause they put into law for saving government officials.

Corruption has been the greatest problem in Nigeria after 1960. the breakdown of law and order triggered the corrupt practices and creates an avenue for instability and security. Late Umar Musa Yar'Adua removed Nuhu Ribadu from EFCC for self-interest and greedy and replaced him with Waziri Farida. Jonathan removed Her for unknown reason till today.

Five notable past Nigerian leaders played a great role in the fight against corruption in Nigeria but due to their inactive and sincerity and lack of full commitments led them failed, but their efforts curtail the level of corruption. In 1982 Alh.Shehu Shagari launched Ethical Revolution designed to fight against corruption. In 1981 rice shortage led to accusation 34

of corruption against the NPN government, the prominence of money bags who financed the elections of 1979, Shagari heightened allegations of corruption, this included the Nigeria election of 1983 marked by accusation of electoral fraud coupled with a decline in world oil prices led to marked a deterioration in the national finances underShagari' swatch, much political violence led to the overthrow his govt by Muhammadu Buhari.

2-Buhari brought War against Indiscipline WAI in 1884.WAI showed Nigerians complete ethical revolution fiasco against the tide of intense capita Penetration, Buhari accused Shagari's government of corruption and loss of moral value, Buhari detained Vice President, Dr.Alex Ekewueme in Kirikiri prison in Lagos rather than President, Sheu Shagari, Buhari refused to prosecute Shagari because of tribalism, both were Fulanis.his war against indiscipline failed here.

3-IBB Overthrew Buhari and brought National Orientation Movement (NOM) and the word corruption was never publicly altered during his regime, he issued a referendum to support austerity measures suggested by international monetary fund (IMF) and world bank and this led him to launch 'Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) IN 1986, this program led to eliminate price control and give chance to many privatizations of public enterprises.

Between 1986 and 1988 these policies were executed as intended by the IMF and then the Nigerian economy did grow as had been hoped. IBB later returned to an inflationary economic policy and the economy slowed down, and paved the way to international financial institutions, military top officials began to taste the wealth of Nigeria and transfer huge money to foreign banks, looting of public fund began since that time till today.

4-Abacha came on board November 1993 and re-enacted the WAI and corruption and introduced Mass Mobilization for Social Justice between 1993-1998.during his regime a total of ÂŁ5Billion was reported siphoned out of the country by him and his family. Abacha was listed as the fourth corrupt leaders in the world.

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5-Salami handed power to Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Obasanjo promised to fight against corruption in his maiden speech at Eagle's Square, he established ICPC and EFCC, He gave them the power to investigate Nigerian politicians and a free hand to arrest fraudsters but Obasanjo who set up this two government agencies violated the law of the two agencies.

There are several legal instruments in Nigeria containing a provision against corrupt practices. Section 98(1)of the criminal code provides that any public officer who is found guilty of corruption is guilty of a felony and is liable to seven years imprisonment. Section 15(5) of the 1999 constitution states as follows: The state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

Both enactments of ICPC Act and EFCC are tailored to fight corrupt practices but we lack instruments to fight corruption in Nigeria.one of the EFCC boss told me recently in Abuja that the power of ICPC and EFCC ends in court, the Nigerian judiciary also corrupt, we all witnessed Ibor'is case in Nigeria before he was jailed in the UK for 13 years by Southwark Crown Court 9, London. Ibori pleaded guilty to a 10-count charge of fraud, money laundering and corruption put at about $250 million, Judge Anthony Pitt reduced his jail sentence from 24 years to 13 years sentence, the court brought some of the EFCC'S Cases on grounds of technical porosity to prosecute him, his conviction is a shame on the Nigerian's judiciary according to many Nigerian lawyers, one of the prominent lawyer said :''this is a very big lesson to our judiciary system, we all witnessed a 170 count charge against ibori when EFCC was filed against Ibori in Nigerian court and he was set free''.

We also witnessed Saraki's case on N20 billion write off fraud which led intercontinental bank liquidated, we all witnessed how David Mark bribed Judge to retain his seat as longest Nigerian Senate President till date, we all witnessed how Bola Tinubu raped Lagos State treasury, Bukola Saraaki also looted allocation of Kwara State for 8 years, Joshua Dariye Looted Plateau State. Nigeria will never forget Atiku Abubakar how he stole Nigeria money, Nigerians still remember $2.4 billion gulf oil windfall of 1990 during IBB regime, former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha will never forget how he embezzled Bayelsa's public funds, Nigerians will never

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forgive Attahiru Bafarawa in Sokoto,Abubakar Audu stole a lot of money belongs to Kogi State Government, Peter Odili also raped Rivers.

Nigeria will continue to remain the way it is ever and ever even worse except if the government and individuals begin to understand that no nation will ever advance without cleaning the corruption in government and also understand the meaning of leadership. A good leader is always thinking of new ways to make things better, he does not wait to be directed before he initiates the right action, a good leader should be just to all his followers or his country.

The five leaders who had the opportunity to fight corruption in Nigeria failed; their agendas were to rule and not to lead; therefore, their agenda failed. It is very difficult to uproot corruption in Nigeria.

Without mincing words, it is cleared that corruption in Nigeria started in 1960. Virtually, all the leaders came to power came solely to enrich themselves and offered self-services to the nation. Obasanjo commissioned Anti-corruption laws and two agencies the independent corrupt practices commission ICPC 29, September,2000andthe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,(EFCC), 2003 to tackle the phenomenon of corruption in public and private life. He set up (the corrupt practices and other related offenses act 2000), Obasanjo established this two agencies in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering which named Nigeria among twenty-three non-cooperative countries frustrating the efforts of the international community to fight money laundering EFCC Act 2002.

To my surprise most of EFCC Investigations end in courts, the Nigerian judiciary did not help the matters. Obasanjo himself gave Nuhu Ribadu some untouchable people among prominent corrupt leaders, Obasanjo himself enrich himself between 1999 to 2007, Obasanjo squandered $16 billion on the power sector. Battle against corruption continues 2007 during Yar'Adua 2007 till he died in 2010.

Anti-corruption also has failed Nigeria, some of their leaders corrupted most of the operative officers, some of the presidents in Nigeria used them as a tool to fight against the opposition leaders in politics.

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Corruption become endemic in the 1990s during the regimes of IBB and Abacha, Nuhu Ribadu accused of corruption IBB and Abacha in his interview he granted to Reuters, December 17, 2004. In 2003 Ahmad Bello University also surveyed the level of corruption in Nigeria and listed Nigerian politics leaders as thirty most corrupt public institutions in Nigeria. by promoting corruption through god father's extortion.

Obasanjo gave N1billion to PDP Delegates 2003, the money was shared on the ninth floor, Transcorp, Abuja, corrupt leader always produce a corrupt government.

If corruption in the 1990s was endemic, corruption since the return of democracy in 1999 has been legendary.

Obasanjo fully controlled ministry of petroleum from 1999-2007 himself where high-level corrupt practices took place with impunity, a report by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission,(RMAFC) indicated that 445,000 barrels of crude oil sold by NNPC between January and July 2002 was not accounted for its fiscal report, there was a short full of N302 Billion as undeclared revenue, federal ministers under Obasanjo administrative between 1999-2003 allegedly stole more than N23 billion from the public coffers, Obasanjo awarded $214 million for National Identity Card Project to SAGEM SA A French company Late Sunday Micheal Afolabi was the Minister for Labour and Productivity.

JONATHAN ' GOVERNMENT A Total of N16.4 Billion has been withdrawn from the Excess Crude Oil Account between 2006-2012 and shared between the Federal and State Governments, then $60 BILLION Obasanjo left 2007. the total producing states shared the sum of N55,008 Trillion as 13% derivation revenue for March as against N47,484 Billion collected for February 2013. It is time to ask your state governors what they used the state allocation for. What happened to it during Yar'AduaThe fact about the States Allocation in Nigeria 2013 The three tiers of government in the country have shared a total of N731, 133 billion as federal allocation for March 2013.

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A communiqueé issued by the Technical Sub-Committee of the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shows that the distributable revenue for the month was N500, 460 billion. There was an augmentation of N123, 308 billion which brought the total statutory allocation for the month to N623, 768 billion. Also distributed for the month was N7, 617 billion refunded by NNPC and the sum of N35, 549 billion from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

According to the communiqueé , gross revenue of N595, 708 billion was received for the month. This was higher than the N571, 676 billion received in the previous month by N24, 023 billion due partly to the receipt of arrears of sales of crude oil and gas.

The communiqueé reported that within the period, there were a decrease in crude oil production and lifting operations due to the force majeure declared at Qua Iboe and Brass terminals and maintenance work at Okono, Brass and Amenam terminals.

For March 2013, the gross revenue from the Value Added Tax (VAT) witnessed an increase of N1, 492 billion. The sum of N64, 199 billion was available as against N62, 707 billion distributed in the preceding month.

A breakdown of the distribution showed that for March, the Federal government got N232, 529 billion (52.68%) as against N209, 856 billion received for February. The State governments shared a total of N117, 942 billion (26.72%) as against N106, 442 billion received for the previous month. The Local governments shared N90, 928 billion (20.60%) against N82, 062 billion received for February.

The oil-producing states shared the sum of N55, 008 billion as 13% derivation revenue for March as against NN47, 484 billion collected for February 2013.

All 36 States in Nigeria get the money that is available to be shared each month. It is always published in the daily newspaper in Nigeria. In 2013 alone States like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Niger Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Katsina, and Kano got the highest allocation from the Federation

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Account and what they got individually is more than the annual budgetary allocation of neighboring countries such as Gambia and Liberia.

Akwa Ibom got N260 Billion, Rivers got N230 billion, Niger Delta got N209 billion, Bayelsa got N173 billion, Lagos got N168 billion, Kaduna got N97 billion, Oyo got N100 BILLION, Katsina got 103 billion, Borno got N94 BILLION and Kano got N140 BILLION. This shows that the many Nigerian States receive allocations that are larger than a budgetary allocation of neighboring countries such as Liberia which is $430 million and the Gambia $210 million.

It's time to ask your Governors since independence till present what they have been doing with the huge monthly allocation they get from the Federal Govt.

We tasked Nigerians to challenge their Governors to account for the monthly budgetary allocation they got from the federation account. We wondered why Nigerian citizens always blame the Federal Government for the failings of some state governments who get monthly allocation larger than countries like Liberia and Gambia. Nigerians need to demand an improved standard of living from their state governments' rattan accusing the Federal Government at all times. Jonathan needs its co-corporation to transform the country altogether. Corruption in Nigeria has affected many states Without mincing words, it is cleared that corruption in Nigeria started in 1960. Virtually, all the leaders came to power came solely to enrich themselves and offered self-services to the nation. The five leaders who had the opportunity to fight corruption in Nigeria failed; their agendas were to rule and not to lead, therefore, their agenda failed. Former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen.Abacha,Almustapha told newsmen that Muhammadu Buhari needs to re-strategies his way of fighting corruption in Nigeria. On 26 August 2019 Nigeria’s President,Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that it is very difficult to fight corruption in Nigeria.

The Federal Government said the new Whistleblowing Policy introduced by the Federal Ministry of Finance in December 2016 has yielded several recoveries. These include N13.8 billion from tax evaders and N7.8 billion,

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$378 million, ÂŁ27,800 in recoveries from public officials targeted by whistle-blowers.

Nigeria will continue to remain the way it is ever and ever even worse except if the government and individuals begin to understand that no nation will ever advance without cleaning the corruption in government and also understand the meaning of leadership. A good leader is always thinking of new ways to make things better, he does not wait to be directed before he initiates the right action, a good leader should be just to all his followers or his country. It is very difficult to uproot the endemic corruption in Nigeria. Happy Independence Day !

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