* FELLOW NIGERIANS,
1. Today marks 53 years of our Independence as a
nation. First and foremost, I would like to say
congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin,
we have built this country together. Through
triumphs and trials, we have developed a Nigerian
identity in our own way.
2. In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and
we are challenged everyday to keep building in
spite of the various obstacles that we face. Our
strength has been in our diversity. If we look back
over the years, we can say confidently that there
is every reason to celebrate.
3. Today’s Independence anniversary is unique
because it is the last before we mark our
centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100
years old as a country, following the
amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern
and Northern Nigeria in 1914.
4. Beloved country men and women, traditionally,
the Presidential address on this symbolic day has
served two purposes. It has, quite rightly, been
used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It
has also allowed my predecessors and I to
comment on our stewardship to the nation and
make political capital out of a state occasion.
5. But this year, I will not. Because, today of all
days, we should not be scoring political points. On
the contrary, in this last year of the first century of
our Union, we should be addressing our future as a
Nation and a people!
6. I admit that these may not be the best of times
for our nation. Our people are divided in many
ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and
materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot
hide from my own responsibilities.
7. As we prepare to mark the centenary,
therefore, today offers us an opportunity to reflect
on our long journey to nationhood and the
progress we have made so far. Whatever the
challenges that we may face, we have every
reason to be proud of our national
accomplishments; we have every reason to
remain proud and optimistic. Our collective
national journey has witnessed great watersheds,
thanks to our spirit of endurance, perseverance
and sacrifice. Getting the rest of the job done with
determination and courage is just a matter of
time. We are Nigerians, a nation of talented
people, endowed with resources, potentials, and
Divine Grace.
8. In our journey to greatness as a nation, we
have built an economy that is robust and erected
enduring infrastructure and institutions of
democracy. Our social system is now more
inclusive, open and compassionate. We are
waging a steady battle against poverty,
unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of
community, solidarity and shared expectation is
strong and capable of withstanding the present
social, economic and political challenges that still
confront us.
9. In saying this, I am reminded of the comments I
made a week ago to a cross-section of Nigerians
in New York during the 68th United Nations
General Assembly. I declare now as I declared
then: we have a duty as Nigerians, whatever may
be our differences or prejudices, to always put
Nigeria first.
10. Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour
and selfless service to the community, particularly
by the political elite who are placed in positions of
great trust and responsibility. Politics has its own
high moral principles which abhor distracting and
divisive rhetoric. As men and women in
leadership, we must continually focus on service,
duty, responsibility, and the next generation.
Those who are elected to govern at all levels must
focus on improving the lives of our people, not
selfish ambition.
11. In the words of the American theologian and
author, James Freeman Clarke, ‘a politician thinks
of the next election; a statesman of the next
generation’. Whether we are Muslims or
Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the
South; East or West; regardless of our political
affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to
be a statesman!
12. My clarion call therefore, on this special day,
is that we should begin to align our political
utterances and conduct solely to the nobler
passions that unite our people. Politicians do not
make a nation; ordinary folks do.
13. Our nation is made great by the big and small
efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers
and men and women in academics who inculcate
the knowledge and wisdom that transform into
tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market
women who tend to our everyday needs; the
farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the
artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads
are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists,
nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and
other professionals who add value to our lives; the
sportsmen and women and those in the creative
industry who bring honour and fame to our nation;
14. And the men and women of our armed forces
and security services who toil day and night so
that you and I may live in a safe and secure
nation.
15. It is the individual and collective heroism of
these regular folks that has placed our nation on
the path of greatness. Politics and politicians
sometimes distract the people and create
unnecessary tension.
16. But our independence celebration is about the
same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry,
sense of mission and purpose, and their patience
and perseverance as we navigate historical turns
in our march towards prosperity and self-
sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria.
17. My Compatriots, history has proven that
nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in
our democracy because it enables us to be united
by our differences, not destroyed by them. And,
there is no more crucial time for us to be united
than now.
18. The threats we face may be real and
immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It
is a difficult season for much of the world:
industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What
matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we
demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the
jaws of likely defeat.
19. And I tell you, more than anything else, there
are lessons to learn, and every cause to be
thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As
we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in
Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the
fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving,
multi-cultural nation which played host to a
mosaic of religions and ethnicities.
20. But that once idyllic nation has today become
a theatre of human misery of unimaginable
proportions as a result of the activities of
extremist forces.
21. Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism
haunts every democracy in every corner of the
globe. While we celebrate our independence and
good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those
who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist
activities around the world.
22. Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep
feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of
the appalling atrocities in some of our States,
especially the North Eastern part of our country.
Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the
College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing
a number of innocent students of the institution
and other residents in cold blood, most of them in
their sleep. This act of barbarism is a
demonstration of the extent to which evil forces
will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you,
they will not succeed.
23. My heart goes out to the families of all those
who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts.
Our Administration will not rest until every
Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I
reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea
will be ignored, and no resource will be left
untapped in the quest to enable our people live
without fear.
24. On this day, I implore every Nigerian –
wherever you are, whatever language you speak,
whatever your religious persuasion, whichever
Political Party you support -: let us join together to
fight this evil of extremism.
25. On behalf of us all, I commend our Armed
Forces and security agencies for their dedication
and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in
the name of our collective liberty.
26. Fellow Nigerians, this is a time to pull together
behind the national cause: the cause of our
freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the
spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat
and every lover of peace in this great nation
continues to live in a free, peaceful, and secure
Nigeria.
27. On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely
to the service of this great country. I was elected
President to continue the process of building a
prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and
aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and
abroad, want a country they can be proud to call
their own. I am pleased to affirm that, no matter
the challenges we face, we are on the right path
to greatness. Our Transformation Agenda, which is
part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land
of greatness, has been delivering positive and
encouraging results.
28. On May 29th this year, I presented to the
nation a mid-term report of my Administration’s
Transformation Agenda. This was conceived as an
integrated policy aimed at reconstructing not only
institutional governance for effective and efficient
service delivery, but also a re-orientation of
national norms and values. The document
captured the essence of our agenda in relation to
core objectives and achievements.
29. I have been consistently mindful of the weight
of public expectation to find solutions to the
challenges that confront us because the mandate
we have is a free and sacred one. In all that I have
done, I have been guided by this sacred
obligation, to work hard for the good of Nigeria
and to make life better for Nigerians. I want to
assure everyone that Nigeria, under my
leadership, will not fail.
30. Exactly 53 years ago today, Prime Minister
Tafawa Balewa urged us to ‘move with quiet
dignity to our place on the world stage’. I am sure
that there have been times when every one of us
must have questioned how closely we have
followed that injunction.
31. But again, I can reassure you that Nigeria’s
place on the world stage today is strong and safe,
and it is certainly a place of dignity and respect.
We must continue to build on this by remaining a
nation and a people committed to ideals, the
noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.
32. Our Constitution is anchored ultimately on the
idea of freedom and fundamental rights: freedom
of expression; freedom from discrimination;
freedom to vote and be voted for, and the right to
human dignity. These are the core values of a true
democracy. These are the values of which we
must never lose sight.
33. In my address to the UN General Assembly
last week, I emphasized the crucial role of
democratization in improving the fortunes not just
of this country, but of our entire continent.
Democratic values encourage diversity. They
encourage discourse. They encourage
disagreement. This is the joy of democracy.
34. It enables us to have an opinion. And
ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the
opportunity to instigate change. When democracy
works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and
defines it.
35. Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken
cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-
meaning Nigerians on the need for a National
Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I
am an advocate of dialogue. When there are
issues that stoke tension and bring about friction,
it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to
come together to discuss.
36. In demonstration of my avowed belief in the
positive power of dialogue in charting the way
forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory
Committee whose mandate is to establish the
modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference.
The Committee will also design a framework and
come up with recommendations as to the form,
structure and mechanism of the process.
37. The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi
Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as
the Secretary. The full membership of the
Committee will be announced shortly.
38. I expect the Report to be ready in one month,
following which the nation will be briefed on the
nomenclature, structure and modalities of the
Dialogue.
39. Fellow Nigerians, the past 53 years have seen
Nigeria evolve on an epic scale. Our progress
since independence has not always been smooth.
This is, after all, our Fourth Republic; but despite
all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the
previous three put together. That is progress and
it proves that, our differences – real and imagined
– notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a
united nation.
40. This is no time for the harmful clutches of
parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness,
impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We
must stand as one, with absolute commitment
and resolve to resist any force that threatens us
and the sanctity of our union.
41. I want to thank all our country men and
women who have stood by this Administration in
the midst of mounting challenges and enormous
expectations.
42. I recognize that it is not easy to keep believing
in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith
is constantly challenged. But let me assure you
that, if we do not despair, we shall reap the
reward of our labour in due season.
43. It is my prayer that, another 53 years from
now, our children and grand-children will look
back on our effort and be thankful that we kept
the faith.
44. May God continue to bless the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
45. I wish you all a very happy 53rd Independence
Celebration.
46. I thank you.
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