INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY,MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASIONOF NIGERIA’S SIXTY FIRST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2021.
Citizens of Nigeria.
It is with full gratitude to God that today,we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary.
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?For 1st of October 1960 to happen, allhands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom.Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed overthe reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnicgroups, religions and regions.
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?Today, despite the challenges we face, mostNigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook anddetermination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due tothis collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united andindivisible nation.
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?Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen monthshave been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Sincethe civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightenedchallenges than what we have witnessed in this period.
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?Our original priorities for 2020 were tocontinue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoringpeace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemicand its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears andre-strategise.
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?Nigerians came together as one to fightagainst COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, wecontinue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership andexample at regional and international levels.
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?The doomsday scenario predicted for ourcountry never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we havebuilt the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.
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?I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not totake COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your maskon and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort oneverybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will alsoserve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.
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?Despite the global inequity in access tovaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all availableoptions to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.
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?Some five million vaccine doses have beenadministered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary HealthCare Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase oracquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African VaccineAcquisition Trust.
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?I will take this opportunity to remind theglobal community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines isunacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keepthe global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.
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?We must act now to accelerate equitabledistribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to theinternational community in New York last week.
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?As we push to source vaccines for ourimmediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical andresearch agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Shouldanother pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria beready?
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Accordingly, I have directed theMinistries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education andScience and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceuticalcompanies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domesticpharmaceutical capacity.
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Already, the Nigerian Sovereign InvestmentAuthority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that willcomplement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare SectorResearch and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers inthe development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable andnon-communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.
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Similarly, on our approach to foodsecurity, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey topharmaceutical independence.
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?This journey, which will take years toachieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing theActive Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our owndrugs and vaccines.
Fellow Nigerians,
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?As our economy continues to open after theCOVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity incertain parts of the country.19.
?In the last four months, the gallant menand women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progressin addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to ourenemies from all angles and we are winning.
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?Earlier this year, I launched theIntegrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the DeepBlue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf ofGuinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assetsfor this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
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?In the North East region alone, over eightthousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.
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?To support our surge approach to fightingbanditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel acrossall ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force torecruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.
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?I am also pleased to note that most of theAir Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started toarrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in allparts of the country.
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?In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to bethe prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.
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?Therefore, as a Government, we are readyto arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action.Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute andunwavering.
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?That said, our hope is not to fight forpeace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling anyblood.
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?I will therefore take this opportunity, onthis special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, toask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.
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?The seeds of violence are planted inpeople’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to lossesof many innocent lives and destruction of properties.
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?Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated liesand hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses andcommentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks toinvestigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts toreaders. 30.?We must all come out and speak against thelies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate thelarge number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well asother well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreadingthe message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialoguein their respective communities. 31.?Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is notnegotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all cometogether with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation. 32.?We shall continue to work on dialoguebased solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to takedecisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threatenour national security. 33.?The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu andSunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealedcertain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorouslypursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of thenational assembly. Fellow Nigerians,34.?This is a clear example of how peopleabandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead ofpreaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminalacts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives andproperty. 35.?As the so-called leaders run abroad tohide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for theirsenseless and destructive causes. 36.?Government will continue, with greaterlevel of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our internationalpartners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment forcriminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing. 37.?Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effortat resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleumresources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities hasresulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. 38.?This Act not only overhauls theInstitutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry butalso reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector. 39.?This is the first step to the reforms asthe process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governanceframework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). Wewill also continue to review and amend as appropriate. 40.?At this juncture, it is very appropriatethat I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for theirpatriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch withwhich they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take suchlevel of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overallefficiency of the Federal machinery. 41.?Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is ontrack with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State. 42.?A second is scheduled for commissioning bythe end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022. 43.?In addition to the modular projects, wealso have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa IbomStates. 44.?As these refineries are commissioned, moreemployment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleumproducts available for local consumption which will significantly reduce ourreliance on importation. 45.?In further demonstrating our plan toreduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, thisadministration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which isaimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources. 46.?Already, we are supporting and promotingvarious gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammoniaprojects in the South-South region. 47.?As we continue to optimise and enhance ouroil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economicdiversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase inNon-Oil Sector contribution to GDP. 48.?We recovered from economic recession inquarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021. 49.?The Agricultural sector remains key to oureconomic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver ofthe non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in thefirst and second quarter of 2021. 50.?We have seen significant private sectorinvestments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these havecontinued even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 51.?Unfortunately, as our food productioncapacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificialshortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essentialcommodities for profiteering. 52.?To address this, I am hereby directing theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National FoodReserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian CommodityExchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to thesedisruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities. 53.?To further enhance food production, wehave completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitatingseveral River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply forrainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture. 54.?The water projects we completed between2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have directaccess to potable water. Fellow Nigerians,55.?This Government remains concerned by thesignificant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing thechallenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still ahigh priority to us. 56.?To complement our budgetary allocations,the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road InfrastructureDevelopment and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recentlyestablished a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited(INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of thisyear. 57.?INFRACO will also focus on leveragingresources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development inNigeria. 58.?We hope through these innovative programs,the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficientlogistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated. 59.?We currently have over 13,000 kilometresof roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fairpercentage have been completed. 60.?As we fix our roads, we also continue toextend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of theWarri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line. 61.?To increase capacity, we have introducedmore locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a WagonAssembly in Kajola, Ogun State. 62.?The sea ports however still remainproblematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocksand inefficiencies have been slower than expected. 63.?However, the implementation of theElectronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond ContainerTerminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargoevacuation. 64.?Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’sDigital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector toour GDP. 65.?We hope our present efforts to ensure allNigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-outof the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in linewith the global innovation curve as a Nation. 66.?As we embrace the digital economy inNigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policieshave been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects andavoid the perils of digital technologies. 67.?Social media is a very useful platformthat has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promotetheir businesses, socialise, and access news and other information. 68.?However, recent events have shown that theplatform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination. 69.?Rather some users have misused theplatform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagatefake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments. 70.?To address these negative trends, theFederal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria onJune 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address thesechallenges. 71.?Following the suspension of Twitteroperations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria toresolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee toengage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue. 72.?The Committee, along with its TechnicalTeam, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. Theseare: a. National Security and Cohesion;b. Registration, Physical presence andRepresentation;c. Fair Taxation;d. Dispute Resolution; ande. Local Content. 73.?Following the extensive engagements, theissues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be liftedbut only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use ofthe platform for business and positive engagements. 74.?As a country, we are committed to ensuringthat digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens,respect Nigeria's sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety. 75.?Nigeria's progressive diplomacy continuesto manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions ofregional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for theposition of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairsof the African Union. 76.?Our persistent calls for a reorganized andreformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with theacceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS tocommence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections ofthe organization’s principal officers in December this year. 77.?At the African Development Bank, WorldTrade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria'sDiplomacy are clearly evident. 78.?We remain confident that our goal oflifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable. 79.?Considering the positive impact of ourSocial Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number ofN-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000. 80.?Out of this, 510,000 have started theprogramme while the competitive selection process for onboarding theoutstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress. 81.?The National Home-Grown School FeedingProgramme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and theFCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under theprogramme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primaryschools in the country. 82.?To grant increased access to credit to themost poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement ofGovernment Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional onemillion beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers throughthe farmers Moni program. Fellow Nigerians,83.?For far too long we have neglected thecentrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this hasmanifested in ineffective service delivery. 84.?There is widespread discontent anddisillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service. 85.?It is for this reason that we arerefocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run ourcountry. 86.?The youths of this great country remainpropellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a securetomorrow. 87.?It is for this reason that I remainfocused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics andgovernance. 88.?Recent appointments of young people intopositions of authority and their track record so far, gives me confidence thatwe need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do. 89.?More specifically, to encourage Girl-ChildEducation, female scholarship schemes, life skills and digital literacy skillsto boost girl’s enrolment, retention and completion of schooling, are allinitiatives put in place to ensure gender balance in appropriately positioningour youths for positions of leadership.
90.?The commitment of this Administration tothe well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering.
91.?Government recognises their contributionsto development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevantGovernment Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of differentabilities in the implementation of policies and programmes.
92.?Rape and Gender Based Violence remains asore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsenedduring and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
93.?We are currently engaging Heads of Courtsto establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial ofRape/Gender-Based offences especially to ensure that justice is done for childvictims of sexual violence.
94.?On the other hand, work has advanced inthe reformation, reintegration and reunification of Minors involved in onecrime or the other.
95.?The reformation in our CorrectionalServices has manifested in an increase in modernised custodial centres and atransformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminalsdo not relapse into their previous lifestyle.
96.?As we begin to celebrate our sixty oneyears as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and endwith the Federal Government. This country is a great collective whereGovernment at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and moreimportantly individuals, have a role to play.
97.?In particular, security is a bottom to topundertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secureourselves and our country.
98.?I fully understand the anxiety of manyNigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-endingpotential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one.
99.?A lot has been achieved in the last sixyears on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’simage and influence in Africa and the international community.
100.?But critics misdiagnose incrementalprogress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackledour problems head-on in spite of the meagre resources. No government since 1999has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track.
101.?We shall continue to serve the country:listen to all and protect our democracy and country. Thank you all and God bless the FederalRepublic of Nigeria.
