President Jonathan’s Speech At Nigeria’s 53rd Independence: FULL TRANSCRIPT - Naijahottesttv.com President Jonathan’s Speech At Nigeria’s 53rd Independence: FULL TRANSCRIPT | Naijahottesttv.com


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President Jonathan’s Speech At Nigeria’s 53rd Independence: FULL TRANSCRIPT

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.
I thank you. culled from ChannelsTV

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