Brig. Murtala Muhammed Addresses the Nation After Coup that Deposed Gen. Yakubu Gowon | July 1975

Evening of July 30th 1975.
Maiden speech by Brigadier Murtala Muhammed, the new Nigerian Head of State, after the overthrow of the previous ruler, General Yakubu Gowon in a bloodless coup on July 29th 1975.
The speech set the tone of his government which emphasised a restoration of discipline to the army, civil service and the wider society. Muhammad also pledged to set a framework for the return to civilian rule.
He was flanked by key members of the new Supreme Military Council. Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo (on the left), the new Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, and on the right, Brigadier Iliya Bisalla, the Minister of Defence, and Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma, the Army Chief of Staff.
"Fellow Nigerians the events of the first few years has indicated that despite our great human and material resources, the government have not been able to fulfill the legitimate expectations of our people. Nigeria has been left to drift. This situation, if not arrested, would inevitably have resulted in chaos and even bloodshed. In the endeavour to build a strong, united and virile nation, Nigerians have shed much blood. The thought of further bloodshed, for whatever reason, must I am sure be revolting to our people. The Armed Forces, having examined the situation, came to the conclusion that certain changes were inevitable. After the civil war, the affairs of state hitherto a collective responsibility, became characterised by a lack of consultation, indecision, indiscipline and even neglect."
Source of footage: Reuters News.
Footnote:
Murtala Muhammad was assassinated on Friday, February 13th 1976, in an abortive coup led by Lt. Colonel B.S. Dimka.