2014 Independence Day Broadcast by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
Wednesday 1st October, 2014
Fellow Nigerians:
1. Today
marks the 54th anniversary of our country’s independence as a sovereign
nation. This is also the tenth month of our journey into a new
century, having marked the centenary of our nation in January this year.
2. The
first one hundred years were marked by triumphs and tribulations,
benefits and burdens, opportunities and challenges. We made some far
reaching advances in building a strong, united and prosperous nation.
We also overcame the forces of disunity that culminated in a
debilitating civil war. We have also renewed our faith in one another,
and in our country. We have proven that we are truly a resilient nation.
3. In
my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize that we were in a
sober moment in our country. We are still in that mood in spite of the
many accomplishments of our administration. Our sombreness has to do
with the crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist
elements who have done the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a
people.
4. On
an occasion like this, it is important that we remember all the
precious souls that have been lost in the unprecedented war of terror
unleashed on some parts of our country by these individuals who want to
compel us to live our lives their way. They will not succeed!
5. In
their mission, they have maimed and raped. They have killed men, women
and children, rendering many children orphans and several women widows.
6. They have made violence their ideology and are bent on destroying our country. Dear countrymen and women, we will not allow them.
7. Night
after night, day after day, our security forces continue to engage the
terrorists in battle. My gratitude goes out to our armed forces whose
will has been greatly challenged by this insurgency more than any other
time, since the civil war.
8. Yet,
they have remained undaunted and unwearied in the face of constant
challenge and mortal danger. Driven by patriotic zeal, they are turning
the tide by their prowess and determination. As Commander-in-Chief, I
will continue to do all it takes to enable them to keep on inflicting
devastating blows at the heart of terror. Fellow Nigerians, it is our
collective duty as patriots to avail our men and women in uniform of all
the support they need to fight and win this war.
9. This
Administration is committed to making Nigeria safe for all Nigerians,
irrespective of our places of birth, how we worship God and our
political persuasion. To all those waging war against our country, I ask
that you lay down your arms and embrace peace.
10. To
those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that Nigeria will listen to
you, if you bring your grievances to the table of dialogue. To the good
people of Nigeria, let me restate that our task of building a better
and greater country must not waver.
11. While
we continue to deploy our resources in the fight against the
terrorists, we do recognize the great toll the conflict is taking on our
people.
12. This is why, to assist the afflicted, we have launched the Victims Support Fund,
an independent multi-sectoral charity, which will aggressively solicit
resources to augment Government’s statutory intervention, in bringing
succour to the injured, the displaced and the bereaved.
13. In partnership with Nigerian business leaders and international partners, we have also introduced the Safe Schools Initiative which is aimed at promoting safe environments for education nationwide, starting with the North East region.
14. The Presidential Initiative for the North East,
a comprehensive programme to fast-track the economic restoration of
this region, which has been the epicentre of terrorist activity, has
been set up.
15. Our
overall objective is to do all we possibly can, to sustain in the
North-East, the momentum of economic advancement, which is on-going in
other parts of the country, despite the machinations of the terrorists
and their sponsors.
16. It
should now be clear to anyone who was ever in doubt that these
terrorists do not mean well for anyone, of whatever religion or
dispensation. Their persistent choice of the weakest and most vulnerable
in society, for gruesome attack, provides an insight into their
abnormal mind-set.
17. I
urge every Nigerian to put aside political, sectional or other
parochial considerations, and support whole-heartedly the efforts of the
government and the military, in checking this evil.
18. We
are grateful to the international community, and especially our
neighbours who are working closely with us in confronting this
challenge, for their increased partnership and solidarity. Our steady
progress in weakening the insurgency has certainly justified our
cooperation.
19. Fellow
Nigerians, in my independence anniversary address last year, I informed
you that we had taken cognizance of the suggestion over the years by
well-meaning Nigerians on the need to focus attention on rebuilding and
strengthening the ligaments of our union. It was in that regard that we
announced the convening of a National Dialogue on the future of our
beloved country.
20. We
have successfully delivered on that promise as we established the 2014
National Conference headed by Justice Legbo Kutigi. After months of
deliberations, which did not come without its challenges, the conference
concluded its assignment and has handed its Report to me.
21. I
have made a firm commitment that we would act on the recommendations of
the conference. This, I have started by setting up the Ministerial
Committee headed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to
work out the modalities for implementing the Report. Every promise I
make, God willing, I will see to its fulfilment. I assure you, we shall implement the report.
22. One
major lesson which the 2014 National Conference has taught us as a
country is that, a multi-ethnic country like ours, must learn to embrace
painstaking dialogue until consensus is established.
23. To me, the National Conference is the greatest centenary gift to our country that we must cherish and sustain.
24. Fellow
Nigerians, our 54 year-journey as a nation has not been easy. There
have been tough periods, but the Nigerian spirit and the unflagging
resilience of our people have seen us through. We will continue to march
forward to greater heights.
25. We
have been able to sustain a big, strong and influential country with a
robust economy. We are currently in our sixteenth year of uninterrupted
democratic rule, daily improving on the consolidation of our democratic
process.
26. Our
Administration has made a commitment to ensure that we build and
sustain a democratic infrastructure anchored on free and fair elections.
International and local observers have attested to the positive
evolution of electoral credibility and we cannot afford to relent.
27. We
will continue to ensure that the will of the electorate prevails so
that political leaders would be reminded at all times that there is a
day of reckoning when they have to go back to the people at the polls.
Election days must not be days of violence and death. We must remain
vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is characterised by peace,
security and transparency.
28. I
enjoin the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all
security agencies, politicians and the electorate to work
conscientiously and peacefully, together, to consolidate on the gains of
the recent elections.Free and fair elections have come to stay; nothing else will be acceptable to our people.
29. My
dear countrymen and women, occasions such as this present an
opportunity to thank God for our country and to report to you, on our
journey so far.
30. Our
power sector reform is on course with the ultimate objective of
generating enough electricity to power our homes, industries and
businesses. We are making giant strides in the Agricultural Sector which
we are re-positioning to diversify our economy. We will continue to
upgrade our infrastructure to make life easier for all and create an
enabling environment for enterprise to flourish.
31. Over
the last four years, the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act in
the Oil and Gas Sector has ensured major increase in the participation
of indigenous Oil and Gas companies in the industry. Several critical
infrastructure projects have been commissioned and commenced. The level
of indigenous asset ownership has greatly increased and utilisation of
Nigerian-owned and built assets such as marine vessels and rigs is being
progressively enforced.
32. There
has been maximised local value addition by encouraging the manufacture
of equipment components and parts within the country. There has also
been massive growth in indigenous participation in the provision of
goods and services to the upstream sector from 10% to 60% within the
last four years.
33. Today,
following the rebasing of our economy, every international monitoring
and ratings agency now acknowledges Nigeria as the largest economy in
Africa, with a Gross Domestic Product of five hundred and ten billion
dollars ($510 billion) which also places us as the 26th largest economy
in the world. This is progress.
34. Earlier in the year, we launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP)
with the stated objective of fast tracking inclusive growth, job
creation, enterprise development and industrialisation.
35. The success of these policies is already evident in the increased value addition in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
36. In
line with our objective of encouraging the production of
made-in-Nigeria vehicles and making Nigeria a regional hub for the
automobile industry, a number of foreign auto manufacturers have
established plants in Nigeria, complementing the laudable efforts of our
local vehicle manufacturers who have also demonstrated great innovation
and competitiveness.
37. We have also launched a special support programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with an initial intervention fund of two hundred and twenty billion naira (N220 b). This is in addition to the Presidential Job Creation Boardwhich I inaugurated recently with the charge to create three million jobs annually.
38. In
demonstration of our Administration’s commitment to addressing
Nigeria’s housing deficit, we have commenced the new mortgage re-finance
programme with the establishment of theNigerian Mortgage Re-finance Company.
It is expected that, in addition to creating additional housing units
across the country, this initiative also represents a huge job creation
opportunity.
39. We
have recorded notable success in the social sector. Nigeria has been
globally acknowledged for reducing extreme hunger by more than half,
with the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) formally presenting the country
with an award for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on Hunger
three years ahead of the 2015 target date set for the Millennium
Development Goals.
40. This
progress is as a result of the deliberate policy of government to
increase capacity in our agricultural sector of which the first step was
to address and eliminate the graft in our fertilizer procurement system
and ensure that the product gets directly to the farmer. We are expanding our irrigation infrastructure to ensure that our farmers have sufficient water supply for dry season farming.
41. A
benefit of these combined actions is that our national food import bill
has declined from 1.1 trillion naira (6.9 billion dollars) in 2009 to
684.7 billion naira (4.35 billion dollars) by December 2013, and
continues to decline.
42. Modern
hybrid schools are being provided for less privileged children across
the country, resulting in significant increase in the national school
enrolment figure.
43. In
order to further enhance access to education at the tertiary level,
fourteen new Federal Universities have been established; and, to
encourage persons of exceptional abilities, our Administration has also
introduced a Presidential Scholarship Scheme based strictly on
excellence and merit.
44. On
infrastructure, we are building roads, bridges, and new rail lines to
make it easier to traverse Nigeria and increase the integration of our
people and our ability to do business with each other. In this regard,
we have commenced the process of building the Second Niger Bridge. The Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Nasarawa and Benue States, will
significantly reduce travel time by road between Northern and Southern
Nigeria. The on-going dredging of the River Niger up to Baro in Niger
State is opening up large parts of the Nigerian hinterland to maritime
activity.
45. The
Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro-electric power projects are on course, and
the Kashimbilla dam which we started a few years ago, is nearing
completion. The successful privatisation of our power sector will in the
long run enhance industrial growth. Policies such as this and others
have raised Nigeria to the enviable status of being the number one
recipient of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa in the past year.
46. The
result of this infrastructure drive is that two and a half million jobs
have been created over the past two years. This is a record, which we
are committed to improve upon to continue to provide jobs for our youth.
47. An
unprecedented number of Airports across the country, are not only being
reconstructed at the same time, but being re-equipped and reassessed
with emphasis on maintaining global standards.
48. Fellow
Nigerians, the goals we set to achieve for our country involve
expanding the frontiers of economic freedom. Let us therefore unite with
one heart and one mind. All our people must have access to the good
things of life. All our people must be empowered to pursue the gift of
life with happiness. This is our country; we must build it for our common posterity.
49. As
we move into an election year, desperate moves to overheat the polity
are becoming a regular occurrence. Our political leaders in particular
must know that the contest for power should not translate to the
destruction of the polity.
50. The
contest for the leadership of our country must yield good governance,
and not ungovernable spaces. The love of country should rank higher than
our individual ambitions.
51. We
must remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria within
democratic parameters. The protection of individual rights, liberty,
equality before the law, freedom of thought, and a progressive pursuit
of a sound economy must be our goal.
52. I
cannot end this address without commenting on the deadly Ebola Virus
Disease (EVD) which was sadly brought into our country recently. My
directives to the Federal Ministry of Health saw the ministry leading
the charge in curtailing the spread of this deadly scourge and managing
its impact. This is how it should be:swift, effective and comprehensive action in defence of citizens.
53. It
must be pointed out that the Ebola battle is still raging elsewhere in
our sub-region. I therefore enjoin all our citizens to continue to
adhere strictly to all the guidelines that have been given by our health
officials to keep Ebola out of our country.
54. I
appreciate and welcome the spirit of collaboration, unity and
partnership with which we confronted the threat of the Ebola Virus
Disease. I thank all Nigerians for working together to prevent what
could have become a major epidemic. I particularly thank the medical
personnel, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.
55. This
is the spirit which we must demonstrate at all times as we face up to
our challenges as a nation: one people, united by a common resolve, in
the pursuit of one common national interest.
56. As
we look forward to another year in our national life, I am more than
confident that our tomorrow will be better than our yesterday and today.
Nigeria has got the human and material resources to excel and we shall
lead the way in that journey to our manifest destiny.
57. Fellow
countrymen, brothers and sisters, in all our plans, and in all our
words and our actions, we must stand together in love and unity, as one
people under God.
58. We are one people from the womb of one Nigeria. We are brothers and sisters. We are one family. We are Nigerians.
59. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
TODAY ON FRANKLY SPEAKING - CHOICE, CHANCE & CHANGE.
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LAST NIGHT ON THE ULTIMATE STATE OF MIND - ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH? .
