BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2017
\nMy dear Nigerians,
\nOctober 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires \u2014 freedom.
\nOver the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.
\nIt is a day for thanks giving, reflection and re-dedication.
\nIt is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 \u2013 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.
\nHowever, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country\u2019s social and physical infrastructure neglected.
\nWe were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.
\nThe APC Government\u2019s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.
\nThe country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria\u2019s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.
\nIn the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country\u2019s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.
\nRecent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.
\nAs a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.
\nI am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.
\nAt all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.
\nGovernment is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.
\nGovernment is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
\nSECURITY
\nOn security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram\u2019s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.
\nNigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.
\nNot even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.
\nBut we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.
\nIn addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.
\nGovernment is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen\/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.
\nECONOMY
\nWith respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government\u2019s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.
\nThese initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.
\nEqually commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and other crops.
\nWith the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.
\nSince December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.
\nFurthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN\u2019s development finance initiatives.
\nPower remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all \u2014 time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.
\nKey priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.
\nElsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.
\nThe country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.
\nFurthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0State Excess Crude Account loans,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Budget Support Facility,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Stabilization Fund Release
\nto states and local governments as follows:
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0N200 billion in 2015
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0N441 billion in 2016
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0N1 trillion in 2017
\nAltogether totaling N1.642 trillion.
\nThis was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.
\nIn addition, the Government\u2019s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Home Grown School Feeding Programme,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Conditional Cash Transfer,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Family Homes Fund and
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Social Housing Scheme.
\nCORRUPTION
\nFellow Nigerians,
\nWe are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.
\nIn this fight, the Government has:
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Empowered teams of prosecutors,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Assembled detailed databases,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.
\nThe Administration\u2019s new institutional reforms include:
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Enforcing Treasury Single Account,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Whistle-Blowers Policy,
\n\u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.
\nWe have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of Nigeria directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.
\nJustice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary\u2019s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.
\nI commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.
\nAs we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country\u2019s challenges and problems.
\nThank you and a happy holiday to all of you.
\nGod bless our country
\n
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BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2017 My dear Nigerians, October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires \u2014 freedom. Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5260"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5260\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}