Today,
on October 1, 2013, Nigeria's leader, President Goodluck Jonathan
addressed us via Facebook post. Below is the full text. Long live
Nigeria!
Address by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
On the Occasion of Nigeria's 53rd Independence Anniversary.
Tuesday 1st October, 2013
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.
