Fellow Nigerians,
Today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. It is the anniversary of the day Nigerians realised one of the most cherished of human desires – the desire for freedom. We, therefore, give thanks to and remember our founding fathers who laboured so hard and sacrificed so much to build and bequeath to us this wonderful nation. It is our duty to consolidate this great legacy.
2. On this first October date and on the eve of the start of the general election cycle, we should do well to reflect on what binds us together and the great strength our diversity bestows on us. Ours is an ambitious nation, and, as citizens we have every right to look forward to the future with confidence and optimism which are well founded, considering where we find ourselves today.
3. There has been a steady improvement in the security situation in the North East. We remain committed to ending the crisis and make the North East safe for all.
4. Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims of the Boko Haram’s atrocities and their families. Beyond that, we know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed.
5. I want at this point to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies, who have been working under the most difficult conditions to keep the country safe. In the process, many have made the supreme sacrifice.
6. As their Commander -In- Chief, I assure these our gallant men and women that I will continue to empower them by deepening their professionalism and providing all the necessary force multipliers and enablers required for them to prevail on the field. I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their entitlements, their welfare and those of their families.
7. We are diversifying away from reliance on oil to increased manufacturing capacity, solid minerals development, and agriculture.
8. Efforts are on course in the Niger Delta to clean up polluted lands, restore hopes of the youths in the region and re-establish livelihoods, and strengthen their capacity to guarantee for themselves and for our country a brighter future.
9. The age-long conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst our people, is being addressed decisively. We will sustain and continue to support the commendable efforts by all including civil society organisations, local and states governments and our traditional and religious leaders in finding durable solution to this problem.
10. This being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts. In this context I must warn that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law. Meanwhile, we urge all peace loving Nigerians to reject any simplistic portrayal, at home or abroad, of this conflict as either religious or ethnic based.
11. We are one of the countries in the world most affected by environmental degradation, as a consequence of climate change. We are signatories to almost all conventions and agreements aimed at slowing down the effect of climate change and mitigating its now evident consequences.
12. The consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on us to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment. We will continue to mobilise international support for our efforts in this regard.
13. We are making progress in the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance. The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more. Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.
14. Consequently, and this is very evident across the country, we have done more with less in infrastructural developments. Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.
15. There is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria. We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries. This is the cornerstone to help genuine investors and honest consumers, and the platform that will allow for the real reforms that we intend to deliver over the coming years.
16. We are gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate. We are building an economy that is moving away from over reliance on oil. Consequently we have witnessed massive return to farms and seen bumper harvest, despite recurrent floods across the country.
17. These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999.
18. At the forefront, have always been our youths. They have been at the vanguard of the struggle for independence. They fought in the war to keep the country united. And it was they who kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights in our country at times when these were at risk, especially following the June 12th 1993 election and the historic 2015 election process.
19. Even today, our youths play a central role in Nigeria’s continuing progress and developments in all fields of our national endeavour –technology, agriculture, mining, engineering and especially the creative arts. Together we are building a more diverse, inclusive and self-reliant economy.
20. In the past three years we have introduced many policies and programmes targeted at youth development and youth empowerment. We support the ‘not too young to run’ legislation aimed at giving the youths greater say in our national politics and governance.
21. The school feeding program in primary schools is aimed at encouraging enrolment and attendance. We are building on what we have already introduced to support schools and universities to which funds have recently been released for upgrade of facilities, training programs for our entrepreneurs, and rehabilitation schemes for victims of terrorism and human trafficking.
Fellow Nigerians,
22. Now we have in our hands technology that is a powerful tool that we can and should use for knowledge and understanding. As with other countries, we must also learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions.
23. Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts. Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake.
24. I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name.
Fellow Nigerians,
25. Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.
26. At the international level, we remain a responsible and respected member of the international community, playing active positive roles within ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations as well as all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members.
27. We will continue to support initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of our times: global and regional crises and conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime, climate change, human rights, gender equality, development, poverty and inequality within and between nations, etc. In this context, we are working hard to achieve both the AU 2063 Agenda for socio-economic transformation of our continent; and the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which together aim at addressing these challenges
Fellow Nigerians,
28. As we celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our independence, we know we are on the right path. Although we have our differences, they count for far less than the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite us as a nation. We have so much for which we should be grateful, and in which we should rightly take pride. Our journey is not finished but we have come a long way.
29. I want to assure you that as President, I will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve what really matters: a united, peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of background, can aspire to succeed.
Thank you. I wish you a memorable independence celebration.
Hi there! I know this is sort of off-topic but I had to ask.
Does running a well-established website such as yours require a massive amount work?
I am completely new to running a blog however I do write in my diary
on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my
personal experience and feelings online. Please let me know
if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand
new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!
Very soon this web site will be famous among all blogging and site-building people, due to it’s good articles or reviews
I’m not sure exactly why but this web site is loading very slow
for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my
end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Hi there colleagues, pleasant article and nice arguments commented at this place,
I am actually enjoying by these.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely
well written article. I will be sure to
bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
These are truly wonderful ideas in about
blogging. You have touched some nice factors here.
Any way keep up wrinting.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement
account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
However, how could we communicate?
Great post.
Excellent way of describing, and pleasant
post to take data regarding my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in academy.
Keep on working, great job!
You could certainly see your expertise in the article you
write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Highly descriptive post, I enjoyed that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This
article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your website
and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your
Feed too.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually recognize
what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also consult
with my site =). We can have a link alternate arrangement between us
Very good article. I will be dealing with a few of these issues as well..
Thanks to my father who told me about this web site, this website is truly awesome.
Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if
it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Very good post. I definitely love this site. Continue the good
work!
Hi, this weekend is good designed for me, because this moment i am reading this impressive educational post here
at my home.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came
to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to
enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your
ideas!!
When someone writes an post he/she retains the idea of
a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it. Thus that’s
why this paragraph is great. Thanks!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme
in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our
entire community will be thankful to you.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
Stunning story there. What happened after? Take care!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came
to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose
its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
This is the right web site for anyone who really wants to understand this topic.
You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a new spin on a topic which
has been discussed for years. Excellent stuff, just great!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend
who has been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch because I
found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your internet site.
Touche. Solid arguments. Keep up the great spirit.
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece
of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant post.
Great web site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing
like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
Very good blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring
writers? I’m planning to start my own site
soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a
free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m
completely confused .. Any ideas? Appreciate it!
Thanks for the good writeup. It in fact used to be a amusement
account it. Look advanced to far delivered agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we be in contact?
If some one wishes to be updated with most recent technologies afterward he must
be pay a visit this site and be up to date daily.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will
try to get the hang of it!
Someone essentially assist to make critically articles I
would state. This is the first time I frequented your website
page and so far? I amazed with the research you made to
make this actual submit extraordinary. Fantastic task!
Hi everybody, here every person is sharing such know-how,
thus it’s pleasant to read this webpage, and I used to go
to see this web site all the time.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no question very quickly it
will be famous, due to its feature contents.
You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having
a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely
unique. P.S My apologies for being
off-topic but I had to ask!
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This post posted at this website is truly good.
Hey this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG
editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
A handful of my blog audience have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
I have read so many posts concerning the blogger lovers however
this paragraph is truly a nice piece of writing, keep it up.
Excellent site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like
yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
I think this is among the most significant info for
me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The web site style is
ideal, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
Article writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with after that you can write or
else it is complex to write.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
offered bright clear concept
Link exchange is nothing else except it is just placing the other person’s weblog link on your page
at appropriate place and other person will also do similar in support of
you.