55th Independence Day Anniversary10 important points the President made in his speech
President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on Independence Day
regarding addressing several issues from Nigeria's potential and ending
with a call-to-action.
Muhammadu BuhariRead full text of President's Independence Day speech
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari,
addressed the Nation at 7am to mark the Independence day celebration.
“October 1st is a day for joy
and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find
ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves
from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood
and to greatness.
“No temporary problems or
passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind
ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to
us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet.
We have in addition arable land; water; forests; oil and gas; coastline;
and solid minerals
“We have all the attributes of
a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have
been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would
have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and
integration but also continuity and economic progress.
“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.
“The fact that an
opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair
election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.
Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan
for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country
untold consequences.
“As I said in my inaugural
speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should
fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear
the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever
his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.
“My
countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was
no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not
a recitation of problems inherited.
“Accordingly,
after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and
other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate,
medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to
maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in
the March elections and since then.
“As you know, I
toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed
forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also
the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an
international coalition against Boko Haram.
“Our
gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the
insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural
capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.
“That
they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P.
camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have
instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in
vulnerable places.
On power, government officials
have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best
way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most
cost-effective way.
“In the meantime, improvement
in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply
of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the
country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country
would begin to feel a change for the better.
“Preliminary
steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so
that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.
“Those
of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial
production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole
sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in
dubious transactions could be stopped.
“In
addition to NNPC, I have ordered a complete audit of our other revenue
generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service
delivery to the nation. Prudent house-keeping is needed now more than
ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a
challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what
accrues but how we manage our resources.
“We have
seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged,
squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean
up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.
“At
an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary
arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social
unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to
the debtor states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore
the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.
“Fellow
Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the
apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be
anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly.
We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only
four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition
Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal
Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have
been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not
finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of
governance.
“Anyway, the wait is over. The first
set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to
the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience
is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate
decisions after consultations get far better results. And better
results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all
about.
“I would like to end my address this
morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I
and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we
want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our
attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly
behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the
roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change
ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.
“Happy Independence Celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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