Fellow Nigerians,
1. I greet and felicitate with you all, today, as we mark 15
years of uninterrupted democratic governance in our beloved country.
years of uninterrupted democratic governance in our beloved country.
2. Our dear nation, Nigeria, has certainly come a long way
and made notable progress since our first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999 when
the military finally relinquished power and handed over to a
democratically-elected government, marking the true beginning of a government
of the people, by the people, for the people.”
and made notable progress since our first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999 when
the military finally relinquished power and handed over to a
democratically-elected government, marking the true beginning of a government
of the people, by the people, for the people.”
3. Although I have ordered a low-key commemoration of this
year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current mood of the nation, there can
be no doubt that the past 15 years, the longest period of sustained democratic
governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.
year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current mood of the nation, there can
be no doubt that the past 15 years, the longest period of sustained democratic
governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.
4. As we commemorate 15 years of our Fourth Republic today
therefore, I believe that it is fitting that we pay tribute once again to all
those who played a part in restoring our nation to the true path of democratic
governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.
therefore, I believe that it is fitting that we pay tribute once again to all
those who played a part in restoring our nation to the true path of democratic
governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.
5. As a result of our collective efforts since 1999,
democratic governance is now entrenched in our nation and institutions. I
wholeheartedly believe that our people are the better for it. The scope of
fundamental rights and liberties enjoyed by our people overthe past 15 years
has been expanded beyond measure.
democratic governance is now entrenched in our nation and institutions. I
wholeheartedly believe that our people are the better for it. The scope of
fundamental rights and liberties enjoyed by our people overthe past 15 years
has been expanded beyond measure.
6. On my watch, we have witnessed high national economic
growth rates, steady improvements and expansion of national infrastructure
including airports and roads, the restoration of rail transportation, the
efficient implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply, a
revolutionary approach to agricultural production, as well as advances in
education, sports, youth development, healthcare delivery, housing, water
supply and other social services.
growth rates, steady improvements and expansion of national infrastructure
including airports and roads, the restoration of rail transportation, the
efficient implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply, a
revolutionary approach to agricultural production, as well as advances in
education, sports, youth development, healthcare delivery, housing, water
supply and other social services.
7. In the oil and gas sector, our promotion of a sustainable
local content policy, continues to guarantee equity and better opportunities
for Nigerian entrepreneurs and skilled personnel.
local content policy, continues to guarantee equity and better opportunities
for Nigerian entrepreneurs and skilled personnel.
8. Significant increase in mobile telephoneand national
broadband penetration, making Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy. We have also
developed strong financial markets and regulatory institutions. Our banks now
have regional and global footprints.
broadband penetration, making Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy. We have also
developed strong financial markets and regulatory institutions. Our banks now
have regional and global footprints.
9. Nigeria has also gained recognition as the largest
economy in Africa, the most preferred investment destination in the continent
and in terms of returns on investment, the fourth in the world. We are pleased
that the world has noticed, as global leaders converged in Abuja early this
month for the World Economic Forum in Africa.
economy in Africa, the most preferred investment destination in the continent
and in terms of returns on investment, the fourth in the world. We are pleased
that the world has noticed, as global leaders converged in Abuja early this
month for the World Economic Forum in Africa.
10. The event not only witnessed a record attendance, it
brought the prospect of an additional flow of investment into the Nigerian
economy estimated at over $68 billion over the next few years.
brought the prospect of an additional flow of investment into the Nigerian
economy estimated at over $68 billion over the next few years.
11. In foreign relations, our country has equally done well
within this period, by establishing and strengthening strong partnerships with
all ECOWAS countries and the rest of the world. This has helped to deepen
Nigeria’s leadership role in multilateral institutions including the United
Nations.
within this period, by establishing and strengthening strong partnerships with
all ECOWAS countries and the rest of the world. This has helped to deepen
Nigeria’s leadership role in multilateral institutions including the United
Nations.
12. Furthermore, under this administration, we have made
consistent progress in improving the standard of elections in our country to
ensure that they are ever more credible and truly representative of the
people’s free choice. The National Conference we initiated to deliberate and
make recommendations on the best ways of resolving our current political and
socio-economic challenges is ongoing. It is our expectation that its outcomes
will help to further consolidate the gains we have made from democracy in the
past 15 years, and place our dear nation even more firmly on the path to
greatness.
consistent progress in improving the standard of elections in our country to
ensure that they are ever more credible and truly representative of the
people’s free choice. The National Conference we initiated to deliberate and
make recommendations on the best ways of resolving our current political and
socio-economic challenges is ongoing. It is our expectation that its outcomes
will help to further consolidate the gains we have made from democracy in the
past 15 years, and place our dear nation even more firmly on the path to
greatness.
Dear Compatriots,
13. It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the
gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are
threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores. Our dear
country, Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us.
Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens,
are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and
freedomwe cherish and celebrate today.
gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are
threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores. Our dear
country, Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us.
Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens,
are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and
freedomwe cherish and celebrate today.
14. The despicable abduction of school girls from Chibok in
Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless
brutality of these terrorists who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and
balkanize our nation.
Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless
brutality of these terrorists who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and
balkanize our nation.
15. In recent years, terrorist attacks have claimed the
lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole
villages and communities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our
states is in jeopardy.
lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole
villages and communities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our
states is in jeopardy.
16. There can be no doubt that what we are witnessing in
Nigeria today is a manifestation of the same warped and ferocious world view
that brought down the Twin Towers in New York, killed innocent persons in
Boston and led to the murder of defenceless people in the Southern Russian city
of Volgograd. Terrorist activities have brought war and pains to Mali, Somalia,
Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These agents of evil continue to
brainwash and incite ignorant young men and women to attack the innocent. We
cannot allow this to continue.
Nigeria today is a manifestation of the same warped and ferocious world view
that brought down the Twin Towers in New York, killed innocent persons in
Boston and led to the murder of defenceless people in the Southern Russian city
of Volgograd. Terrorist activities have brought war and pains to Mali, Somalia,
Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These agents of evil continue to
brainwash and incite ignorant young men and women to attack the innocent. We
cannot allow this to continue.
17. I welcome the statements of solidarity from patriotic
citizens and the global community in support of our efforts to stamp out
terrorism. I applaud the understanding that in a democracy, such as we are
building, people can have differences while sharing worthy values and standing
together in opposition to the scourge of terrorism. Nigeria is the only country
we have and we must all work to preserve it for present and future generations.
citizens and the global community in support of our efforts to stamp out
terrorism. I applaud the understanding that in a democracy, such as we are
building, people can have differences while sharing worthy values and standing
together in opposition to the scourge of terrorism. Nigeria is the only country
we have and we must all work to preserve it for present and future generations.
18. Despite the challenges we face, we must commend our
security forces. We must not forget their gallantry and successes in liberating
nations and in peacekeeping, from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali,
Guinea-Bissau and many places in Africa and beyond. Our forces have paid the
supreme price in several places at several times.
security forces. We must not forget their gallantry and successes in liberating
nations and in peacekeeping, from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali,
Guinea-Bissau and many places in Africa and beyond. Our forces have paid the
supreme price in several places at several times.
19. Today, they face a different challenge, an
unconventional war by terrorists. They are adjusting and are being equipped to
tackle the new menace of terrorism. We must show confidence in their ability. I
have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the
international community, we will reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid
Nigeria of terrorists.
unconventional war by terrorists. They are adjusting and are being equipped to
tackle the new menace of terrorism. We must show confidence in their ability. I
have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the
international community, we will reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid
Nigeria of terrorists.
20. It is now 45 days since the horrifying abduction of the
college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and
guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do
everything possible to bring our daughters home.
college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and
guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do
everything possible to bring our daughters home.
21. I am determined to protect our democracy, our national
unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism. The
unity and stability of our country, and the protection of lives and property
are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to launch a
full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.
unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism. The
unity and stability of our country, and the protection of lives and property
are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to launch a
full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.
22. I have also authorized the security forces to use any
means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done. I assure you that
Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will
not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done. I assure you that
Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will
not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
23. For our citizens who have joined hands with Al Qaeda and
international terrorists in the misguided belief that violence can possibly
solve their problems, our doors remain open to them for dialogue and
reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.
international terrorists in the misguided belief that violence can possibly
solve their problems, our doors remain open to them for dialogue and
reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.
24. My government, while pursuing security measures, will
explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation
of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalization,
rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.
explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation
of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalization,
rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.
Dear Compatriots,
25. We must remain united to win the war against terrorism.
Christians, Moslems, farmers, fishermen, herdsmen, teachers, lawyers, clergy or
clerics, the rich, the poor and Nigerians from all sections of the country must
work together with our security agencies and armed forces to overcome the
terrorists who now threaten all that we hold dear.
Christians, Moslems, farmers, fishermen, herdsmen, teachers, lawyers, clergy or
clerics, the rich, the poor and Nigerians from all sections of the country must
work together with our security agencies and armed forces to overcome the
terrorists who now threaten all that we hold dear.
26. The war against terror may be difficult, but the days of
peace will come again. Terror is evil; nowhere in history has evil endured
forever. The menace of Boko Haram will surely come to an end. I believe that
because of your prayers, your courage, hardwork, faith and sacrifice, we will
ultimately prevail over the terrorists and all other evil forces.
peace will come again. Terror is evil; nowhere in history has evil endured
forever. The menace of Boko Haram will surely come to an end. I believe that
because of your prayers, your courage, hardwork, faith and sacrifice, we will
ultimately prevail over the terrorists and all other evil forces.
27. We are a strong, resilient and courageous people. We
will continue to partner with the civilized world, to confront international
terrorism and every other challenge that comes our way with patriotic zeal and
determination.
will continue to partner with the civilized world, to confront international
terrorism and every other challenge that comes our way with patriotic zeal and
determination.
Fellow Nigerians,
28. Yes, we have challenges but we will surely overcome.
Nigeria is our country. Nigeria is blessed. We will all collectively protect,
defend and develop this country for ourselves, and our children.
Nigeria is our country. Nigeria is blessed. We will all collectively protect,
defend and develop this country for ourselves, and our children.
29. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
30. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
