Ibrahim Babangida - Nigeria's Best President

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NOTABLE EVENTS

1985 - 1993

August 27th, 1985, witnessed the dawn of a new era in the history of Nigeria. Major General Ibrahim Babangida assumed leadership as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces after a reportedly bloodless coup d'etat on August 27, 1985 (Eid-el-Kabir) which ousted the government of General Muhammadu Buhari.

"We have witnessed our rise to greatness and a decline to the state of a bewildered nation. Our human potential has been neglected, our human resources put to waste." "My colleagues and I are determined to change the course of history. This government to unite this country, we shall not allow anything to obstruct us, we recognise that a government be it civilian or military needs the consent of the people to govern if it is to reach it's objectives. We do not intend to rule by force, at the sametime, we should not be expected to submit to unreasonable demands. Fundamental rights and civilian liberties will be respected but their exercise must not degenerate into irrational expressions that border on subversion" President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in his maiden address to the nation and the reason for the change in government, he said, "Regrettably, it turned out that Major General Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitude to uses of national significance. Efforts to make him understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria requires recognition and appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual perceptions only served to aggravate his attitude."

1985

The Armed Forces Ruling Council replaces the Supreme Military Council.
Abrogation of the Decree 4
Release the victims of Decree 4 among who are Bukar Zarma, the editor of New Nigeria Newspapers, Folu Olamiti the editor of Sunday Tribune etc.
Swearing in of AFRC members drawn from the Armed Forces and the Police.
Appointments and swearing in of new governors.
Appointments and swearing in of 22 Ministers.
Released of political detainees and prisoners including ex-governors, Lateef Jakande, Michael Ajasin, Chief Bola Ige, Dr. Bisi Onabanjo, Dr. Sola Saraki etc.
Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe was appointed Chief of General Staff, Major General Sanni Abacha as Chief Army Staff, Major General Domkat Bali as Defence Minister and Chief Mojeed Durojaiye Onabule as Chief Press Secretary to the President.
National Merit Award was conferred on Dr. Akinola Aguda.
Amendmets were made to the following decrees, The Public Order Decree 1985, The National Youth Service Corps Decree 1985, The Constitution Suspension and Modification Decree 1985, The Public Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) repeal Decree 1985.
Announcement of a failed coup attempt on the government by the Defece Minister.
President Babangida presented a budget of N10,935 Billion to the Nation for 1986.

1986

President Babangida granted unconditional pardon and release to Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor both of the Guardian Newspapers.
President Babangida was elected ECOWAS Chairman and Alhaji Gambo became the new Inspector General of Police.
President Babangida inaugurated the Political Bureau in Abuja.
President Babangida announce the handing over of power to civilian in 1990.
President Babangida lifted the ban on the National Medical Association (NMA) and National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD).

1987

President Babangida was in France for medical attention for a month.
Justice Bello was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Federation.
Mamser programme was launched by President Babangida, Transition programme was announced and time table for civilian take over was scheduled.
National Electoral Commission members and the Constitution Review commitee were sworn in at Abuja.
President Babangida Launched the Technical Aids scheme in Lagos.
The National Agricultural Insurance scheme and the National Small farmers Credit scheme was launched in Kaduna.
President Babangida laid the foundation of the multimillion Naira sixty bed Dideolu Specialist Hospital in Ikenne Ogun State.
President Babangida gave one millon naira each to all the three hundred and one Local Goverment council of the Federation.
President Babangida commission the N12.8million water treatment Plant in Yola and declared open the N40million Merchant Bank head-quaters in Lagos.
The Commonwealth secretary, Sir Shrindath Ramphal and Chief Obafeni Awolowo both paid visit to the President in Lagos, and he later hosted the traditional rulers in Abuja.
President Babangida created two additional states, Katsina and Akwa Ibom states.
President Babangida was re-elected as ECOWAS Chairman.

1988

President Babangida commissioned the N3.2 Billion National Fertilizer Company (NAFCON) in Onne near Port Harcourt.
President Babangida commissioned the N100 million Agro Allied sack industries in Asaba.
President Babangida played hosts to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Republic of Germany Richard Von Wazsacker.
President Babangida re-opened the four universities that were shut down, Obafemi Awolowo, University of Jos, Calabar and Bayero in Kano.
New Military Governor's, Director Generals for Federal Ministries and agencies were sworn into office.
Chairman and secretary of the Constituent assembly were also sworn in.

1989

President Babangida created 49 new local government areas.
Federal Government promulgated Decree 15 of 1989 local government ( Constitutional and Transition Provision )
The Flying Eagles came home with a silver medal from the U21 World Cup Competition and received N75,000 each from the Federal government.
The Federal government set up the Namibia Relief Fund.
Professor Humphrey Nwosu replaces Eme Awa as NEC Chairman.
The ban on party politics was officially lifted.
Air Force Pilot aircraft "The Air Beetle" was commissioned by President Babangida.
Federal government instituted an investigation into the cause and death of Dele Giwa.
Federal government compensated the families of Late Sam Okwaraji.
Dr. Tai Solarin was appointed Chairman of People's Bank.
National Identity programme was inaugurated by the Federal government.
Federal government created two political parties the NRC and SDP.
The parties constitution, manifestos and symbols was launched by President Babangida.
Federal government distributed 190 buses to all higher learning institutions.
President Babangida laid the foundation stone of the centre for women developments
Federal government introduced a flat rate of 60kobo per litre on petrol.
President Babangida reshuffle the cabinet including the states, the federal executive council and the Presidency.

1990

President Babangida announced another foiled coup to overthrow the government at the World Press Conference.
President Babangida hosted Prince Charles and his wife Princess Diana on their state visit to Nigeria and also the traditional rulers who paid him a solidarity visit in Lagos, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife.
A special grant of N20million each was given to all the 21 Federal universities.
Nelson Mandela solidarity rally was held in Lagos to mark his release.
Nigeria top-most and popular actor, Chief Herbert Ogunde died in a London Hospital.
Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony, a prominent philanthropist was honoured with CFR by President Babangida.
Dr. Nelson Mandela the South African Nationalist was also honoured with GCON by President Babangida.
An agreement was signed with United States to fight against hard drugs.
President Babangida commissioned the 600,000 Kilowatts Shiroro Hydro Electric project on Kakuna river.
President Babangida approved the National Housing Policy for the masses.
Chief Anyaoku of Nigeria was named as the First African Secretary General.
First Nigeria community bank launched in Kaduna.
The civilian sponsor of the abortive coup was named as Chief Great Ovewdje Ogboru
All the coup plotters were tried at the military tribunal and executed.
All serving military officers were compulsorily retired from service.
The Decree no 28 of 1990 was signed by the President to highlight the duties of the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Federal government, the governor's and their deputies.
President Babangida hosted Yasser Arafat, the PLO Chairman on a private visit.
President Babangida hosted President Eyadema of Togo on official visit.
President Babangida hosted Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on official visit.
President Babangida hosted Jones Savimbi of Angola on solidarity visit.

1991

Federal government donated 35million naira towards the Sardauna Endowment Fund.
President Babangida launched the 50million naira Nnamdi Azikwe centre in Zungeru.
President Babangida commissioned the third mainland bridge named after him.
President Babangida commissioned the 10storey building Owena house in Lagos.
President Babangida approved the establishment of the institute for cultural orientation.
AFRC approved open ballot system for all elections in the country.
247 Nigeria pilgrims died in plane crash on holy pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina.
The national title of the Order of the Niger (OON) was conferred on Late Mudashiru.
President Babangida was elected the OAU Chairman in their 27th summit in Abuja.
President Babangida created 189 new local governments and nine additional states : Abia, Anambra, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba and Yobe.
President Babangida also approved the national census in preparation for democracy.

1992

The thirty elected governors and their deputies were sworn into office.
The National Bank of Nigeria was officially taken over by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Federal Government set up a Judicial commission enquiry into causes of fuel shortage.
Federal Government ordered the closure of all fuel stations within 25kms to all borders.
Federal Government announced the formation of the National Guard.
Nigeria and Israel diplomatic relationship was fully restored after 19years break.
President Babangida announced 575million naira life-line to all universities.
President Babangida announced 25million naira to each federal university.
Concord Press was closed down and re-opened two weeks later when the publisher late Chief M.K.O Abiola apologised in a handwritten letter to the President.
National Housing Fund Decree No 3 and Customs and excise decree was promulgated.
Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim the leader of the defunct GNPP was laid to rest after his death.
The decree legalising private broadcasting was signed by President Babangida.
President Babangida laid the foundation stone of the Federal Mortgage bank headquarters in abuja.
President Babangida laid the foundation stone of 200million naira Tarka Foundation in Markurdi.
House of Representatives, National Assembly and Senate elections held in the country.
The Federal Government reconstituted the ecological fund commission
President Babangida launched the National Mass Literacy Fund.
President Babangida inaugurated the oil and minerals producing developments commission.
Nigerians lost almost 150 Army officers that were crashed aboard C-130 Air Force Hercules at Ejigbo on the outskirt of Lagos.
Vice-President Augustus Aikhomu inaugurated the board of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) in Abuja.
Federal Ministry reduced from 26 to 16 and federal govt. lifted the ban on wheat.
Federal Govt. dissolved the executives of the two political parties ( SDP and NRC) at all levels and released the names of the caretaker committee at national and state levels, Alhaja Lateefa Okunnu for NRC and Air Vice Marshal Shekari (rtd) for SDP.
Federal Govt.announced the handing over from military to civilian govt. has been shifted from Jan.93 to Aug. 93 and that all the 23 Presidential aspirants are disqualified due to mass rigging and legal challenges.
President Babangida inaugurates the National Assembly and elects the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as the Senate President.
President Babangida constituted the Transitional council and listed the function of the transitional council.
Chief Ernest Shonekan former chairman of UAC was elected the chairman of the transition council.
President Babangida steps aside and hands over the government of the country to the chairman of the transition council, Chief Ernest Shonekan.