President Goodluck Jonathan has finally emerged the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 presidential election.
President Jonathan, who had earlier been endorsed as a sole candidate for the party's ticket by the party's highest decision makers was ratified as the candidate at the party’s presidential primary election, which
was held at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday.
Today, the National Defence Council presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan has given a nod for the extension of the state of emergency in the troubled north eastern states of Nigeria.
The affected northern states includes Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa state.
The news was made known today in Abuja after the meeting by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke. He said the President would forward the request to the National Assembly for approval.
Due to the unending deadly activities of the Boko Haram sect, the National Defence Council met at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to decide if the state of emergency in some North Easters States of Nigeria would have to be extended or not.
The affected States are Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
The 3rd phase of state of emergency imposed on these states by the president will expire on Thursday which may have prompted this meeting today to determine the next line of action.
Though there has been media speculations that the president may impose total military rule in the states since the partial imposition seems not to be yielding any Tangible result.
If the speculations works as thought, a military administrator will be appointed to take charge of the administration of the States.
Do you think that would be the best option for the president?
President Goodluck Jonathan today
Wednesday Nov. 12, finally unveiled the new N100 commemorative notes.
The new N100 note is to be used to commemorate 100 years of Nigeria amalgamation.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR on 11 November declares his intention to contest for the 2015 presidential elections under the Platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Here is a word to word of his speech......
Dear Compatriots:
1. Four years ago, precisely September
18, 2010; I stood in this Eagle Square,
to offer myself for election as the
President of our beloved country on the
platform of our great party; the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
2. Seven months after that declaration,
you elected me to lead this country with
overwhelming support from all parts of
our Nation. I remain grateful for the
trust you reposed in me to lead our
Nation through uncommon challenges in
our march of progress as a united and
democratic country.
3. Over the years, the Almighty God has
made it possible for me to develop a
bond with you and I am grateful for your
support and understanding in the
difficult periods we have journeyed
through.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
our stewardship has not been without
challenges. We have had to deal with
the wave of insurgency that has swept
through some parts of our dear country.
Only yesterday, Government Science
Secondary School in Yobe State was
bombed by insurgents, killing our
promising young children who were
seeking education to build the country
and support their parents. Many
Nigerians have lost their lives and
property to these mindless killings. Let
me crave the indulgence of all present
here to stand up to observe a minutes
silence in honour of these young lads
who lost their lives. Clearly, this has
cast a dark cloud on our Nation but we
will surely win the war against terror. A
number of young men and women have
been kidnapped by these criminal
elements including our daughters from
Chibok. We will free our daughters and
defeat terrorism.
5. We are equipping the armed forces
and deploying special forces to engage
the terrorist and end this senseless war.
We must protect our country. We must
save our people. I will do everything
humanly possible to end this criminal
violence in our Nation.
6. To ensure the long term stability and
development of the affected areas,
government has launched three
programmes: The Presidential Initiative
for the North East, the Victim Support
Fund and the Safe School Initiative. The
Presidential Initiative for the Northeast
is focused on improving infrastructure
and economic growth in the region. The
Safe School Initiative is centred on
creating a safe environment to
encourage our children in the
communities to acquire education. The
Victim Support Fund, a partnership with
the Private Sector, has raised about 60
billion Naira, which will help to empower
and rehabilitate victims of terror. I
promise the victims of these dastardly
acts that we will continue to stand with
you.
7. I am grateful to all Nigerians for
standing with me.
8. Let me also thank the leaders and
elders of our great party, the Peoples
Democratic Party, for the opportunity
you have given to me to serve our
country, Nigeria.
9. I am overwhelmed by the trust,
confidence and support of the various
organs of our party, the Board of
Trustees, the National Caucus, the
National Executive Committee, the
National Working Committee, the PDP
Governors Forum, members of the PDP
Caucuses of the National Assembly, and
others.
10. This day affords me the opportunity
to continue the conversation of
development we started together.
11. Infrastructure has been a major
focus area of my administration and so,
we pursued the power sector reform to
this point of irreversible progress.
Nigeria has undertaken a most
transparent and corruption free bidding
process, attracting global
commendation. The on-going 450MW
Azura Power Plant in Edo State is a
testimony to the success of this
transformation.
12. We have also resumed development
of our Hydro-Power potential, with the
construction of the 700MW Zungeru
Hydro-Power Plant, while construction
work on the 3,050MW Mambilla Hydro-
Power Plant is about to take off.
13. Our power generation and
distribution companies have now been
privatized. We are firmly on the road to
guaranteed regular power supply in the
months ahead. This our bold move, is
paying off!
14. We are committed to environmental
protection and conservation and
reducing vulnerability to climate change.
In this regard, we have embarked on a
number of projects across the country.
Of particular note is the African Great
Green Wall Programme, where we have
released about 16 billion naira for
implementation. The project will create
a green belt across 11 states from
Kebbi to Borno.
15. In the past three and half years, the
water sector has witnessed
unprecedented improvement. Access to
potable water is now 67%, up from 58%
in 2010, while sanitation coverage is
41%, from 32% within the same period.
16. Major developments in water include
the completion of 37 Dams and
rehabilitation of 10, with several others
on-going construction. The flagship
Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam which is
being built to contain flood from Lake
Nyos, is now at 90% completion. We
have also completed about 5,000 rural
and semi urban water schemes.
17. We are reforming the National Urban
Water supply programmes in 12 states,
with 385 formal and informal irrigation
projects, covering a total land area of
118000 ha, cultivated mostly by small
holder farmers. This has yielded over 3
million metric tons of assorted grains
and vegetables, with a market value of
about 45 billion naira.
18. Before the advent of this
administration, the Railway system was
practically dead. Today, we have revived
the rail sector. The narrow gauge line
from Lagos to Kano has been
rehabilitated with improved coaches
providing regular services. The
rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-
Maiduguri rail line is progressing with
the Port Harcourt-Gombe segment as
well as the branch line from Kafanchan
to Kaduna expected to be completed
and fully operational by December 2014.
19. Already, work on the Abuja-Kaduna
standard gauge rail line, is progressing.
The tracks of the rail line will be
completed by December this year 2014.
Upon completion of the project in the
first quarter of 2015, it will be possible
for Nigerians to live in Kaduna and work
in Abuja. The Itape-Ajaokuta-Wari
standard gauge line has attained an
advanced stage, with the track
completely laid. We hope to commence
full operation before the end of 2015.
20. Other segments of the new standard
gauge speed train network are planned
with contract already awarded for the
Lagos –Ibadan Segment. There will be
more of such modern and faster rail
connections in the coming years.
Already, discussions are now at
advanced stage, for the Coastal rail line
that will traverse through 10 states,
from Lagos through the South-South
and South-East, all the way to Calabar.
21. My administration has successfully
completed the dredging of the lower
River Niger from Baro in Niger State to
Warri in in Delta State. The cheering
news is that over 6.7 million passengers
and over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo
have been moved through this channel
in less than three years.
22. I am happy to also report that our
ports now operate 24 hour service,
which has led to the reduction of
clearing time and improved efficiency.
23. When I assumed office in 2010, out
of the 35,000km of federal roads
nationwide, only about 5,000km were
motorable. Today, that number has
increased to about 25,000km. We
expect to complete the remaining
10,000km in three years while initiating
new ones.
24. I made a commitment to build two
new major bridges across the River
Niger and River Benue. Today, the new
bridge over the River Benue, connecting
Loko in Nassarawa State to Oweto in
Benue State has reached an advance
stage of completion, while work has
commenced on the Second Niger Bridge.
25. Beyond these, my administration
has concluded plans to re-commence
the construction of Bodo-Bonny Road
with three major bridges on the
alignment that will link the Island of
Bonny with Rivers mainland.
26. Preliminary works have started on
my administration’s planned re-
construction and expansion of the
Murtala Muhammed International
Airport Road in Lagos to a world class
entry point into our country. Only a few
months ago, work started on the
dualization of Kano-Katsina Road. While
many Nigerians are celebrating the
marked improvements on our roads, I
want to assure that it will get even
better as we move forward.
27. In the pursuit of an integrated
transportation system, we embarked on
the construction of five new Airport
Terminal Buildings and Air-field
facilities. We are also re-constructing
existing ones. The re-construction upon
completion, will lead to improved
passenger processing, increased cargo
handling capacity and enhanced Air-
field facilities that meet international
standard and improves safety. These
efforts have been met with global
acknowledgement including the
attainment and retention of the FAA
Category One status.
28. In housing, we signed the National
Housing Policy to kick-start the
framework for providing more affordable
homes for our people. We have also
expanded the National Housing Fund to
accommodate more Nigerians. We have
started a revolution in the housing
sector with the start of the Nigerian
Mortgage and Refinanced Company
(NMRC) a new initiative of my
administration, that will enable more
citizens in the lower income bracket to
become first time home owners.
29. Our partners such as the World
Bank group are supporting this with
US300million dollars interest free credit,
while my administration will back it with
over 100billion naira in bonds. We are
already processing 66,000 mortgage
applications for our young people. We
have amended the PENCOM Act to
enable the pension funds invest in
housing sector bonds. This will create a
boom in the housing sector.
30. In the Federal Capital Territory, we
are rapidly building a befitting National
Capital by expanding and providing new
infrastructure, developing ten new
districts and Satellite Towns to cater for
the ever increasing population. In no
distant future, you will be able to arrive
at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport and proceed to the city using the
Abuja Light Rail. In addition to
providing durable health, educational
and transportation services, we are also
collaborating with Organized Labour to
build functional, affordable and social
housing in Abuja.
31. Other critical capital developments
that are being packaged by this
Administration include the development
of the Ultra-Modern World Trade Centre,
the Abuja Town Centre, the Jabi Lake
Comprehensive Centre, the Centenary
City and the Land Swap Districts. This
private sector driven infrastructural
development will positively change the
skyline of the city and provide the
required office and residential
accommodation, shopping and
recreation as well as tourism and
entertainment facilities of the FCT.
32. In our determination to encourage
much greater participation of Nigerians
in the oil and gas industry, one of the
first actions I took, was the enactment
of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry
Content Development Act. As a result of
this law, indigenous Nigerian
participation levels, in upstream and
downstream activities of the oil and gas
industry have increased by over 45%,
thereby increasing employment
opportunities for our youth.
33. We have also succeeded in
eliminating the long queues that
previously characterised our filling
stations, through regular and sustained
product supply.
34. Gas infrastructure to ensure
adequate Gas to Power and Gas to
Industry, is being aggressively put in
place. Over 450km of gas pipelines have
been installed over the last 3years.
Another 2,000km is planned over the
next 4years. Critical petrochemical and
fertilizer facilities have commenced
including the gas industrial park in Delta
State, for which I am scheduled to
perform the ground-breaking this
Friday. This will create millions of jobs
and make Nigeria a regional hub.
35. In addition, as a result of
government favourable policies the
private sector is investing over 12 billion
dollars in the petrochemical sector, over
the next 4years. This will surely create
millions of jobs for our people.
36. In terms of gas supply, we have
grown from less than 500 million cubic
feet per day, 4years ago, to about 1.5
billion cubic feet per day currently. Our
goal is to attain 4 billion cubic feet per
day, over the next 4years.
37. We have changed the face of
agriculture. We moved agriculture away
from a development Programme to
agriculture as a business. My vision is
to create wealth for our people through
agriculture.
38. We have focused on encouraging
the private sector to boost investments
in the agricultural sector. As a result,
the number of seed companies rose
from five to eighty in the past three
years. Private sector investment in the
agricultural sector expanded by $ US
5.6 billion across the Agricultural value
chain.
39. We ended decades of corruption in
the fertilizer and seed sectors. We
developed a transparent and efficient
system of reaching farmers directly with
subsidized farm inputs. Before our
reforms, fertilizer procurement and
distribution took from the needy and
gave to the greedy. We restored dignity
back to farmers. Today, 14 million
farmers, of which 2 million are women,
access fertilizers with their mobile
phones, through an e-wallet system.
Nigeria is the first country in the world
to develop an e-wallet system to reach
farmers with subsidized farm inputs on
their mobile phones. Several African
countries are now borrowing this
transparent and efficient e-wallet
system for their own countries.
40. Our national food production
expanded by an additional 21 million
metric tons between 2011 and 2014, a
record, exceeding our set target of 20
million metric tons set for 2015. The
Dangote Group, has committed to invest
$US 1 billion in commercial rice
production and processing. With all
these developments, we are expected to
be an exporter of rice in the next five
years. This will be a new dawn!
41. The benefits are showing on our
food imports. Our food import bill has
declined from 1.1 trillion Naira in 2009
to 684 billion Naira by December 2013,
even with our increasing population, a
reduction of 40%.
42. Nigeria met its Millennium
Development Goal One on reducing
hunger and extreme poverty, two years
ahead of 2015 target set by the United
Nations, and was given an award by the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations.
43. To sustain this trend, we are
encouraging young graduates through
the Nagropreneurs Programme to go
into commercial Agriculture. We are
also encouraging our students in Post
Primary Schools to embrace commercial
Agriculture through the National School
Agriculture Programme.
44. My dear people, corruption remains
a big challenge in our national life. It
corrodes our efforts at development and
at motivating competence in critical
sectors of our national growth. We have
eradicated it in the agricultural sector
and we will surely eradicate it in other
sectors of our economy.
45. Going forward, my focus is to
continue to reinforce institutions,
systems, and processes to tackle
corruption, and also to bring to justice
those that perpetrate corruption.
Through the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS),
we have weeded out 56,000 ghost
workers from the Federal Civil Service,
saving 162 billion naira.
46. I have directed ICPC to bring the
perpetrators of this criminal act to
book. Let this be very clear, public
officers must live by example, fully
accounting for the national trust and
resources in their care.
47. In our journey to progress,
knowledge is indispensable. Knowledge
is power! This is why my administration
established 14 new Universities out of
which 12 are conventional and two are
specialized Police and Maritime
Universities. Under my watch, every
state in Nigeria, now has a Federal
University.
48. In addition, over 500billion naira
have been spent, through the Tertiary
Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and
the special NEEDS assessment fund on
various projects to increase access and
improve the quality of infrastructure at
the tertiary level of our education
system.
49. To provide equal access and
opportunities in education and ensure
that no Nigerian child is left behind, we
have established and equipped 150
Almajiri Schools across the Northern
states and the Out-of-School-Children
Programme including Specialized Boys
and Girls Schools across the country.
50. Fellow Nigerians, our country was
faced with a major National security,
humanitarian, and economic threat in
the form of the Ebola Virus Disease,
which arrived in the country on July 20,
2014, by way of a foreign national, Mr
Patrick Sawyer.
51. Realizing the imminent threat, I
declared a national emergency, pulling
states, local and federal government
into action as well as individual
Nigerians to combat this disease.
Without the quick action of patriotic
Nigerians in the First Consultant
Hospital, as well as the co-operation of
Lagos and Rivers State, where the
disease occurred, working with the
Federal Ministry of Health and the co-
operation of all Nigerians we could not
have succeeded in overcoming this
deadly disease. Fellow Nigerians we
stopped Ebola together.
52. Just as we stopped Ebola, we are
on our way to eradicating the Polio
Virus in our country. We have reduced
the incident of new Polio Virus from 300
in 2010, to 6 today.
53. My brothers and sisters, to
encourage entrepreneurship and self-
reliance among our teeming graduates,
we have developed creative
opportunities for enterprise for our
young people.
54. Programmes such as YouWIN, the
Graduate Internship Scheme, the
Nagropreneurs Initiative, the 220 Billion
Naira Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises Development Fund and the 3
Billion Naira Grant to Nollywood are
empowering our graduates, the creative
industry and other young people to start
up their own businesses and employ
others.
55. We have supported the growth of
industry through policy and action. We
launched The National industrial
Revolution Plan (NIRP), and the
National Enterprise Development
Programme as key drivers to bring
about our desires in the industrial
sectors and to diversify our economy.
Our new National Automobile Policy is
transforming Nigeria into a vibrant hub
for the automobile industry. Our own
Innoson Motors is producing world
standard vehicles, and Nissan, Hyundai,
and Kia, have set up factories in Nigeria
and are employing thousands of our
people.
56. Our support for cement production
is unprecedented. We have increased
our installed capacity from 16.5 million
metric tons per annum in 2011 to 39.5
million metric tons per annum in 2014.
Nigeria is now exporting cement. We are
moving forward! We must produce what
we consume and consume what we
produce.
57. Our efforts to create an enabling
environment for job creation in different
sectors of the economy including the
MSME sector, agriculture, housing and
manufacturing have yielded results.
Between the third quarter of 2012, when
we started tracking jobs created and the
end of 2013, 1.9 million jobs were
created. To deepen our success in this
area, I have created a Presidential Jobs
Creation Board headed by the Vice
President with the mandate to create at
least two million jobs a year.
58. My brothers and sisters, our
economy is heading in the right
direction and our efforts are yielding
positive results. Our economy continues
to grow at the rate of 6 to 7 percent
annually, one of the highest in the
world. Our country is now the top
investment destination and the largest
economy in Africa, with a GDP of
80trillion naira (510billion dollars) as
well as the 26th largest economy in the
world.
59. As part of its efforts to support
inclusive growth and economic
development in Nigeria through the
CBN, my administration has created and
disbursed the sum of 200billion naira
via the Commercial Agric and Credit
scheme, 300billion naira Power and
Aviation fund, 220billion naira Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprise Fund, as
well as 300 billion naira rail sector
refinancing facilities at single digit
interest rate. We will continue to deepen
the reforms in the financial sector, in
order to sustain the growth of our
economy and uplift our people from
poverty to prosperity.
60. Dear Compatriots, I promised as
President, that we would sanitize and
restore integrity in our electoral process,
by ensuring that our votes are not only
counted, but truly count. We have gone
to great length to ensure transparent,
free, fair, and credible elections.
Elections have been conducted across
the country with local and international
election observers testifying to their
transparency.
61. On the international scene, we have
advanced our regional, continental and
global objectives. We have strengthened
our relationships with our neighbours
and in many instances supported them
to protect their democracy, security and
stability. We are serving for a second
time within a period of 4 years at the
United Nations Security Council. This is
unprecedented in our Nation’s history.
My brothers and sister, this is a growing
attestation of our country’s growing
influence.
62. In the first quarter of this year, our
country celebrated its centenary. To
prepare the nation for the challenges of
the next one hundred years, I convened
a National Conference where
recommendations and resolutions were
reached towards a more perfect union.
We shall implement the report.
63. Four years ago, I made a
commitment to advance the rise and
rise of womanhood. Today, I am glad
that we have made remarkable progress
in this regard, trusting in the potential of
our women and reaping from their
dedication and ingenuity. I believe that
any nation that ignores womanhood
cannot achieve its full potential. It is in
this regard that I ensured that women
were given more opportunities in
government, and I have not been
disappointed.
64. Specifically, I doubled the
percentage of women in the cabinet and
gave them more challenging
assignments.
65. The Nigerian Defence Academy
(NDA), is now admitting female cadets
as regular combatants and it is now
possible for a woman to rise through
the ranks to the peak in military service,
and become a full general.
66. We must continue to sustain the
banner of freedom and justice that we
have held high in our country. I am
proud to say that there are no political
prisoners in Nigeria today. No Nigerian
has been driven to exile and no one will
be, under my watch.
67. It is in furtherance of a peaceful,
participatory and inclusive democracy
that I signed the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Bill into law, to
expand the frontiers of our fundamental
freedom.
68. Let me re-affirm that under a
Jonathan Presidency, your views, no
matter how freely expressed, will not
send you to prison or into exile.
69. I am convinced that I have kept my
pact with Nigerians, and it is now time
to look to the future. With your
tremendous support, we have
collectively done so much in the last
three and half years, but to take our
country to the next level, there is still
more to be done.
70. History has shown that the path of
honour for any true leader is not to walk
away from his people in moments of
challenges. We must stand together in
adversity and overcome all threats to
our development. We must defend our
future, for the sake of our children.
71. So many things have inspired me in
the journey to this moment. I want to
appreciate ordinary Nigerians, especially
young people, for the solidarity shown
to me by contributing their meagre
resources to enable me arrive at this
point.
72. I appreciate the kind gesture of the
Cattle Breeders Union, Miyetti Allah, and
the Market Women Association, who
encouraged me by coming together to
contribute to the purchase of my
Nomination form.
73. In the same vein, I am touched by
the National Association of Widows who
also encouraged me with their widow’s
mite.
74. This labour of love, from ordinary
Nigerians, has increased my
appreciation of your solidarity, my trust
in our joint destiny, and all we have
achieved together these past three and
half years.
75. Therefore, after seeking the face of
God, in quiet reflection with my family
and having listened to the call of our
people nationwide to run, I, Goodluck
Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted
to re-present myself, on the platform of
The Peoples’ Democratic Party, for re-
election as the President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, in the 2015 general
elections.
76. Democracy is a collective action,
energized by individual responsibility.
Your mandate at this time will inspire in
me the strength to complete the good
work we have started together.
77. My dear people of Nigeria, we must
complete the task of ensuring that we
lift the poor out of the depth of want,
and place their feet firmly on the ladder
of prosperity.
78. In this election season, I appeal to
all of you, not to harm, maim or kill;
and not to incite violence of any kind.
We must never forget our common
bond, one people from the womb of one
Nigeria. Again I say: My ambition to
serve you is not worth the blood of any
Nigerian. I remain committed to this
principle of non-violence.
79. If you believe that we must build a
country that works for all, where the
strong lift up the weak, and not trample
upon them, where the vote of every
citizen determines who governs or
represents you, where the democratic
space is open to all citizens to fulfil
their aspirations, irrespective of the
circumstance of birth, your brother,
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan
stands ready to continue in service to
you.
80. My brothers and sisters, we cannot
go back to the old ways! Our railways
were allowed to rot in neglect, we have
revived and are modernising them.
81. We cannot go back to the old ways!
Our road infrastructure collapsed. We
are reconstructing, and expanding
federal roads across the country.
82. We cannot go back to the old ways!
Our airport terminal buildings were
dilapidated and our airspace unsafe. We
are fixing this.
83. We cannot go back to the old ways!
Our agricultural practices did not benefit
our farmers and our people. Fertilizer
distribution was a major source of fraud
and we were importing food more than
our budget can carry. Now we are on
our way to self-sufficiency in food
production.
84. Do you want to go back to the old
ways?
85. We cannot go back to the old ways,
where there were long queues at our
filling stations due to irregular supply of
products and our people were exploited.
86. We cannot go back to the old ways,
when women and youths were denied
opportunities in government and in
responsible positions.
87. Do you want to go back to the old
ways?
88. We cannot go back to the old ways!
We had skewed distribution of tertiary
institutions. Whereas some states had
more than one degree awarding
institution, some had none. We have
now made sure all states have at least
one Federal University.
89. We cannot go back to the old ways!
Our economy is now the largest in
Africa. Once, we were virtually importing
everything, now we are exporting
several products, including cement.
90. We cannot go back to the old ways!
In 2009, average life expectancy was 47
years, by the end of 2013, it was 52
years. Some of our hospitals now
perform open heart surgeries, kidney
transplants and other challenging
operations as we reposition our health
service to end decades of medical
tourism that drains our scarce
resources.
91. We cannot go back to the old ways!
Together, in unity, we overcame Ebola,
and in the process demonstrated the
strength of the Nigerian spirit. And
together, united, we must maintain our
vigilance.
92. Do you want to go back to the old
ways?
93. We cannot go back to the old ways
where individual freedoms were
trampled upon and citizens were locked
up for expressing their views or
criticising government.
94. Do you want to go back to the old
ways?
95. We cannot go back to the old ways!
We must continue to have free and fair
elections. We cannot go back to the era
where ballot box snatching and stuffing
became the norm. Where your votes
never counted.
96. Certainly, we cannot!
97. We have to move forward! Only
forward!!, my dear people, Forward!!!
98. In moving forward, I see a Nigeria
that thirsts for progress with children
across the nation, eager for knowledge
and safely in schools!
99. I see a Nigeria where all who have
taken up arms, would again embrace
peace!
100. I see a Nigeria where our women
can aspire to any heights, without
hindrance!
101. I see a Nigeria where the flames in
the Eagles will rekindle, and the Falcons
soaring higher in victory!
102. I see a Nigeria where the children
of Mustapha, and Christopher, Ade and
Ada, Timi and Bunmi, Nnamdi and
Namadi, do not go hungry!
103. I see a Nigeria where all, no matter
their beliefs, live in peace and harmony!
104. I see a Nigeria where the green
passport is accorded a royal reception
the world over!
105. I see a Nigeria where one day the
next generation will take us to outer
space.
106. Distinguished ladies and
gentlemen, leadership is about staying
focused to achieve goals despite
challenges. I have been faced with many
challenges since coming to office as
President. With your support and
encouragement, we have stayed the
course.
107. We are succeeding, against all
odds. For the young Nigerian child, who
grew up in the rural area, just like me,
we are expanding opportunities and
giving them hope. For the market
woman, we are expanding opportunities.
For our young entrepreneurs, we are
expanding opportunities. For the right of
our people to vote and for their voices
to be heard, we are expanding
opportunities. For Nigerians to have the
right to free speech, we are expanding
opportunities. For the job seekers,
against all odds, we are expanding
opportunities.
108. While serving our people, I will
always ensure the rule of law. I do not
intimidate, I expand the democratic
space. I give voice to the voiceless and
uphold the weak, for the nation belongs
to us all. Fellow Nigerians, as we build
our democracy, leaders must show
temperance at all times. That is a
virtue, one which I treasure, and will
always uphold.
109. My people, Nigeria is destined for
greatness. Today, here at Eagle Square,
I say to Nigeria, that working together
in love, in strength and in faith, we will
build a nation of one people, united in
purpose and in action.
110. Fellow Nigerians, it is forward ever!
We must put our hopes to work!
Together, we will realize our collective
destiny.
111. Thank you!!
112. God bless Nigeria!!
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| First Lady Dame Patient Jonathan |
 |
| PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN OF NIGERIA |
 |
| PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN |
Today 1st October 2014, marks Nigerian's 54 years of independence from the colonial masters. As part of the celebration, His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR read his Anniversary speech to the nation.
Read the script below......
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 gainst 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 characterized 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 Board which 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 the Nigerian 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.
