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First Speech of the Military Governor of the Mid-West (Lt. Col.
Ejoor), 26 January 1966

I have now had time to examine the various administrative agencies
operating under the previous Government, both at headquarter level
and at the level of Local Government Councils. I have also looked
into the machinery for the administration of Boards and Corporations
in Midwestern Nigeria. I now record the following observations and
Decree as hereunder:

I decree that here, in Midwestern Nigeria, there shall be an
Executive Committee presided over by
myself, as Military Governor. Subject to, and under the Supreme
Council, this Committee constitutes the final authority and power
in respect of decisions affecting Midwestern Nigeria. In addition to
myself as its President, the composition of this Committee will be as
follows: The Chief Law Officer, The Second Senior Military Officer
in station, Secretary to the Military Government, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic
Development, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments, and the
Commissioner of Police. Additionally, the Permanent Secretary whose
submissions are at any particular meeting being discussed will, for
the purpose of that discussion, be coopted as member of the Committee.
I further decree:

that the decisions of the Public Service Commission will now be in
the form of recommendations to me. I propose, however, to delegate
to the Commission power to take final decisions in respect of certain
categories of appointments.

I further decree that the following powers shall be vested in a
Recruitment Committee:
The power to appoint (including appointment on promotion, transfer or
secondment) to any post whether established or unestablished the
initial basic salary of which is less than f240 per annum.
The power to appoint (including appointment on promotion or transfer)
daily-rated employees.
The power to confirm or terminate the probationary appointment of any
officer whose initial basic salary is less that f240. . . .

I also decree:
that all recruitments shall be initiated by means of open
advertisement which, in the case of recruitments by the Recruitment
Committee shall issue from the Ministry of Establishments, on behalf
of all Ministries/Departments.

I further decree that:
the Midwestern Nigeria London Office will be closed, and the
responsibilities and duties it now carries will be taken over by the
Nigerian High Commission. Immediate steps will be taken to wind up
the Agency-General.

In place of elected members, all local government councils in
the Region have Management Committees. These comprise persons
selected because of their political affiliation. I am convinced that
this arrangement is not in the best interest of the development of
local government in the Region. Little wonder that a majority of
these councils are either impotent or grossly inefficient.

I decree that all Management Committees of Local Government
Councils will be abolished with immediate effect. In place of these,
Administrative Officers of experience will be selected and be posted
as Sole Administrators.

(The Local Authorities) comprise Local Education Authorities,
Joint Water Boards, Land Trustees, and Town Planning Authorities (and
each) has a body of officials who operate the organization with
expert advice from the appropriate ministries. Over and above these
officials, there is in each case an appendage of politicians, who
have converted the function of determining the political implication
of the organization's actions into a full time job.

I now decree that all these groups of politicians in these
Institutions be suspended. The officials of the Institutions, with
supporting advice and guidance from the appropriate ministries, will
carry on the work of the Institutions.

I am not satisfied that political affiliation is a fair yard-stick
for the composition of Tax Assessment Committees. The existing
Committees have been got together on that basis. A machinery for
fiscal purposes cannot function efficiently with such composition.

I hereby suspend all existing Assessment Committees. In due course
a Tax Assessment Machinery able to generate confidence and to alert
all and sundry to their responsibility to pay tax will be set up . . .
.

I further decree:
that all Chairmen, Executive Directors and Members of all Boards and
Corporations will henceforth cease to have any day to day functions
in respect of these organizations. Instead, they will meet not more
that once monthly to deliberate on the basis of agenda presented to
them by the General-Manager or Secretary of these organizations,
after clearance with the Permanent Secretary of the relevant Ministry.
Accordingly, all Chairmen, Executive Directors and Directors cease
with immediate effect to be entitled to salaries, but will be
eligible for sitting fees and expenses in respect of transport to
place of meetings.
that each Corporation, Board of Commission shall operate under the
detailed guidance of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry under
whose aegis such Corporation, Board or Commission functions. For the
purpose I propose to inject officials and experts in business into
each organization to assist so as to enhance its performance.

I further decree:
that all political functionaries suspended will now be checked out of
Government quarters, if this has not already been done. All
government properties in those quarters shall be taken on charge by
the Ministry of Works.

I decree also:
that only the National Flag may be flown on public buildings in
Midwestern Nigeria. No flags of any description may be flown on
private buildings, premises or cars, excepting that the Commissioner
of Police may fly the Police Flag on his official car. The only
vehicle that may fly the National Flag is the Military Governor's Car.

For the avoidance of doubt I want to make it clear that the above
decrees do not relate to the Regional Tax Board, the Board of
Education, and the Scholarship Board. I propose at a later date to
deal with these.

At a later date I will issue an appropriate decree concerning
Customary Courts.
All debtors to the Midwest Government and its agencies are advised
to maintain their repayment agreements. Any defaulters will have
themselves to blame.

Compiled by NOWAMAGBE AUSTIN OMOIGUI, MD

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