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.
I do not even know the way I finished up here, but I believed this post was good.
I do not know who you’re however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger in the
event you are not already. Cheers!
It’s an remarkable paragraph in support of all the online users; they will take advantage from it I
am sure.
I for all time emailed this blog post page to all my friends, as if
like to read it next my contacts will too.
Thanks in support of sharing such a pleasant opinion, piece of writing
is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using
Movable-type on a variety of websites for about
a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful.
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating
and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful website.
Hello, after reading this awesome article i am also glad
to share my familiarity here with mates.
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out
for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this
in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so
i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my
web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
This information is invaluable. When can I find out more?
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of
the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I
found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Hello all, here every person is sharing such know-how, so it’s good to read this
blog, and I used to visit this weblog all the time.
These are genuinely wonderful ideas in about blogging.
You have touched some fastidious points here.
Any way keep up wrinting.
I was very pleased to uncover this page. I want to to
thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!!
I definitely appreciated every part of it and I have you saved
as a favorite to look at new things in your blog.
It’s amazing to visit this web page and reading the
views of all mates concerning this post, while I
am also zealous of getting knowledge.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was
wondering what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having
a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly
appreciated. Many thanks
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog
article or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of
the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you are interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward
to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
A person essentially assist to make severely articles I
would state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page
and up to now? I surprised with the research you made
to make this actual publish incredible. Magnificent process!
Very quickly this website will be famous among all blogging and site-building visitors, due to
it’s fastidious articles
I absolutely love your website.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own blog and
would like to learn where you got this from or
just what the theme is named. Cheers!
Very nice article, just what I was looking for.
Remarkable issues here. I am very glad to look your article.
Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look forward to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
Thankfulness to my father who stated to me about this webpage, this
web site is truly awesome.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog.
A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
Ridiculous story there. What occurred after? Take care!
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came
to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will
be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and excellent design.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be
a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with helpful information to
work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire
group will likely be thankful to you.
Hello Dear, are you truly visiting this site regularly, if so after that you
will without doubt get pleasant knowledge.
I have read so many articles or reviews on the topic of the blogger lovers however this post is genuinely
a fastidious paragraph, keep it up.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed
account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing
to your feeds or even I success you get entry to
persistently quickly.
Hi, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s
genuinely excellent, keep up writing.
Incredible story there. What occurred after? Take
care!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is only placing the other person’s
blog link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.
It’s going to be end of mine day, except before ending I am reading this great piece of writing to improve my
experience.
Excellent web site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to
find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
I have read several good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how much effort you set to create such a great
informative site.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure
of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could
connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?
Hola! I’ve been following your website for a
long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Texas!
Just wanted to say keep up the great work!
This info is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find out more?
Thanks very nice blog!
Outstanding post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit
further. Thank you!
Hi everyone, it’s my first visit at this web page, and post is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these content.
First of all I would like to say excellent blog!
I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind
before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my
mind in getting my ideas out. I do enjoy writing however
it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out
how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thanks!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of
your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a number of
the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome web site!
I really like it when individuals get together and
share ideas. Great website, continue the good
work!
That is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!