Buhari brings back War Against Indiscipline under scheme called Change Begins with Me

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari plans to relaunch the famous War Against Indiscipline (Wai) which he first introduced when he was military head of state in 1984 as part his government's ongoing battle against corruption.

 

On December 31 1983, President Buhari, then a major general in the Nigerian Army assumed power after the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari was overthrown by the military. One of the first things he did upon assuming office was introduce Way which clamped down on corruption, indiscipline, a lack of patriotism and dereliction of duty in public life.

 

In May last year, President Buhari was voted back into office and has since been waging a war against corruption but it appears to be so engrained that tougher action is now being considered. Yesterday, information minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed that Wai would be rebranded to Change Begins with Me (CBWM) to instil public morality, social order and civic responsibilities among Nigerians.

 

Launching the brigade yesterday in Abuja the director general of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, unveiled the programme at a meeting with national and state Commanders of Community Support Brigade. Dr Abari said Wai would be repositioned in the current dispensation of the change mantra, adding that the body would aid civil intelligence gathering in the area of insecurity, violence, kidnapping, and other forms of social vices.

 

Dr Abari added: “The ills and woes that bedevil the nation at that time are still very much with us today. That is why, when the NOA was established in 1983 and the Wai Brigade was automatically drafted to be part and parcel of the agency to fight against indiscipline, disorderly behaviour in public and private places, disobedience to traffic rules and regulations, disrespect for constituted authorities, filthy environment, bribery, corruption and other social vices.”

 

According to him, the Buhari administration decided to re-introduce the programme for better performance in the fight against indiscipline and corruption. Between 1984 and 1985, Wai was criticised for human rights abuses regarding freedom, justice and equality as the military brought its powers to bear in enforcing discipline on Nigerians.