Will the relaunch of the War Against Indiscipline in 2016 revive our health systems?

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has come under severe criticism by Nigerians after the re-launch of War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade, in Abuja on Monday, August 8, 2016.


The War Against Indiscipline was first introduced in 1984 during Buhari’s administration as head of state.

The president re-launched the Brigade under the new name, Change Begins With Me (CBWM), saying the role of  civil intelligence gathering cannot be over-stretched in this era of insecurity, violence, kidnapping, and other forms of social vices.

In the speech which launched WAI in 1984, the health system which was just beginning to crumble, was one of the areas of focus.

The speech reads in part:


"Fellow countrymen and women, I, Brigadier Sani Abacha, of the Nigerian army address you this morning on behalf of the Nigerian armed forces. You are all living witnesses to the great economic predicament and uncertainty, which an inept and corrupt leadership has imposed on our beloved nation for the past four years. I am referring to the harsh, intolerable conditions under which we are now living.

"Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged. We have become a debtor and beggar nation. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable prices for our people who are now fed up with endless announcements of importation of foodstuffs. Health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics without drugs, water and equipment.


"Our educational system is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Unemployment figures including the undergraduates have reached embarrassing and unacceptable proportions. In some states, workers are being owed salary arrears of eight to twelve months and in others there are threats of salary cuts.

"Yet our leaders revel in squandermania, corruption and indiscipline, and continue to proliferate public appointments in complete disregard of our stark economic realities.

Health Journo Opinion

This is still a fact today.  Our leaders have squandered our commonwealth.

Is this really necessary? Will it bring about the much needed change? (No pun intended)