Exactly Forty-Nine Years ago, a Nigerian Leader and former Military Head of State General Murtala Ramat Muhammad was assassinated by some dissident within the Nigerian Army…
Although the attempted military coup failed, Nigerians lost an outstanding Military Officer and Leader in person of General Murtala Muhammad.
Consequently, the then Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters who was next to General Murtala Muhammad was Brigadier-General Olusegun Obasanjo who was named immediately as the successor of Late Murtala Muhammad.
In Nigeria’s chequered history, no Leader has ever achieved within a short time what General Murtala Muhammad achieved for the Country economically, educationally, socially and morally. He was the Matyr of Nigeria’s Revolution that time – who has never been marched in leadership qualities such as integrity, transparency and accountability.
As we mark 49 years of the demise of the outstanding Nigerian Leader, General Murtala Ramat Muhammad, I call on our leaders of today to ponder, reflect and review the Nation’s trajectory to be able to emulate GEN. MURTALA MUHAMMAD – MARTYR OF NIGERIA’S REVOLUTION – who was totally committed and selfless in service to Nigeria and its people
Since his demise, no Leader has ever shown dedication and commitment to greater Nigeria than him.
His good leadership was what Buhari/Idiagbon replicated between 1984 and 1985. They too were stopped abruptly by their Military colleagues headed by Ibrahim Babangida.
Since then, we have lost quality leadership in Nigeria!
Today is the 49th Year Remembrance Anniversary of General Murtala Ramat Muhammad, who was killed on Friday 13th February 1976 on his way to the office early in the morning.
His wife Mrs Ajoke Muhammad and daughter Aisha are still alive and I believe the Nation should celebrate Murtala’s life annually by instituting a programme in his remembrance.
Some of his achievements were Establishment of Abuja as the new Nation’s Capital, Creation of New States, enforcement of discipline in all facets of Nigerian life. His economic policies and reforms were meant to better the lots of Nigerians.
His egalitarian policy was continued after his assassination as General Olusegun Obasanjo who took over followed his political and socio-economic programmes religiously which eventually led to handing-over to democratically elected Civillian Regime of President Shehu Shagari in 1979.
One great lesson Nigerians must learn is to support our Leaders who embark upon good programmes to salvage the Country from poverty, hunger and disease as well as leaders who embarked upon policies that would fight corruption holistically and grow a diversified economy to build the Nation..
E-Signed
Ibrahim Abdullahi,
National Coordinator,
Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria & Fellow, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
