President Goodluck Jonathan's “Democracy Day” Speech

Fellow Nigerians: I greet and felicitate with
you all, today, as we mark 15 years of
uninterrupted democratic governance in our
beloved country. 2. Our dear nation, Nigeria, has certainly
come a long way and made notable progress
since our first Democracy Day on May 29,
1999 when the military finally relinquished
power and handed over to a democratically-
elected government, marking the true beginning of a government of the people, by
the people, for the people." 3. Although I have ordered a low-key
commemoration of this year's Democracy
Day in deference to the current mood of the
nation, there can be no doubt that the past 15
years, the longest period of sustained
democratic governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.
4. As we commemorate 15 years of our
Fourth Republic today therefore, I believe
that it is fitting that we pay tribute once again
to all those who played a part in restoring
our nation to the true path of democratic
governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.
5. As a result of our collective efforts since
1999, democratic governance is now
entrenched in our nation and institutions. I
wholeheartedly believe that our people are
the better for it. The scope of fundamental
rights and liberties enjoyed by our people overthe past 15 years has
been expanded
beyond measure.
6. On my watch, we have witnessed high
national economic growth rates, steady
improvements and expansion of national
infrastructure including airports and roads,
the restoration of rail transportation, the
efficient implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply, a revolutionary
approach to agricultural production, as well
as advances in education, sports, youth
development, healthcare delivery, housing,
water supply and other social services.
7. In the oil and gas sector, our promotion of
a sustainable local content policy, continues to
guarantee equity and better opportunities for
Nigerian entrepreneurs and skilled
personnel. 8. Significant increase in mobile
telephoneand national broadband
penetration, making Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) one of the
fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian
economy. We have also developed strong financial markets and
regulatory institutions.
Our banks now have regional and global
footprints.
9. Nigeria has also gained recognition as the
largest economy in Africa, the most
preferred investment destination in the
continent and in terms of returns on
investment, the fourth in the world. We are
pleased that the world has noticed, as global leaders converged in
Abuja early this month
for the World Economic Forum in Africa.
10.The event not only witnessed a record
attendance, it brought the prospect of an
additional flow of investment into the
Nigerian economy estimated at over $68
billion over the next few years. 11. In foreign relations, our country has
equally done well within this period, by
establishing and strengthening strong
partnerships with all ECOWAS countries and
the rest of the world. This has helped to
deepen Nigeria's leadership role in multilateral institutions
including the United
Nations.
12. Furthermore, under this administration,
we have made consistent progress in
improving the standard of elections in our
country to ensure that they are ever more
credible and truly representative of the
people's free choice. The National Conference we initiated to deliberate and
make recommendations on the best ways of
resolving our current political and socio-
economic challenges is ongoing. It is our
expectation that its outcomes will help to
further consolidate the gains we have made from democracy in the past
15 years, and
place our dear nation even more firmly on
the path to greatness. Dear Compatriots,
13. It is a sad fact that as I address you
today, all the gains of the past 15 years of
democratic governance in our country are
threatened by the presence of international
terrorism on our shores. Our dear country,
Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us.
Extremist foreign
elements, collaborating with some of our
misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt
to bring down our country and the
democracy and freedomwe cherish and
celebrate today.
14. The despicable abduction of school girls
from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the
awareness of the entire world, the heartless
brutality of these terrorists who want to
instigate a descent into anarchy and
balkanize our nation.
15. In recent years, terrorist attacks have
claimed the lives of several of our
compatriots, many have been injured or
maimed, whole villages and communities
have been destroyed and the economy of
some of our states is in jeopardy.
16. There can be no doubt that what we are
witnessing in Nigeria today is a
manifestation of the same warped and
ferocious world view that brought down the
Twin Towers in New York, killed innocent
persons in Boston and led to the murder of defenceless people in the
Southern Russian
city of Volgograd. Terrorist activities have
brought war and pains to Mali, Somalia,
Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
These agents of evil continue to brainwash
and incite ignorant young men and women to attack the innocent. We
cannot allow this to
continue.
17. I welcome the statements of solidarity
from patriotic citizens and the global
community in support of our efforts to stamp
out terrorism. I applaud the understanding
that in a democracy, such as we are building,
people can have differences while sharing worthy values and standing together in
opposition to the scourge of terrorism.
Nigeria is the only country we have and we
must all work to preserve it for present and
future generations.
18. Despite the challenges we face, we must
commend our security forces. We must not
forget their gallantry and successes in
liberating nations and in peacekeeping, from
Liberia to Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali,
Guinea-Bissau and many places in Africa and beyond. Our forces have
paid the supreme
price in several places at several times. 19. Today, they face a
different challenge, an
unconventional war by terrorists. They are
adjusting and are being equipped to tackle
the new menace of terrorism. We must show
confidence in their ability. I have no doubt
that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the
international community,
we will reinforce our defence, free our girls
and rid Nigeria of terrorists.
20. It is now 45 days since the horrifying
abduction of the college girls of Chibok. I
share the deep pain and anxiety of their
parents and guardians and I assure them
once again that government will continue to
do everything possible to bring our daughters home.
21. I am determined to protect our
democracy, our national unity and our
political stability, by waging a total war
against terrorism. The unity and stability of
our country, and the protection of lives and
property are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to
launch a full-
scale operation to put an end to the impunity
of terrorists on our soil.
22. I have also authorized the security
forces to use any means necessary under the
law to ensure that this is done. I assure you
that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these
thugs will be driven away – it will not
happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
23. For our citizens who have joined hands
with Al Qaeda and international terrorists in
the misguided belief that violence can
possibly solve their problems, our doors
remain open to them for dialogue and
reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.
24. My government, while pursuing security
measures, will explore all options, including
readiness to accept unconditional renunciation
of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their
de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-
integration into the broader society. Dear Compatriots,
25. We must remain united to win the war
against terrorism. Christians, Moslems,
farmers, fishermen, herdsmen, teachers,
lawyers, clergy or clerics, the rich, the poor
and Nigerians from all sections of the country
must work together with our security agencies and armed forces to overcome the
terrorists who now threaten all that we hold
dear.
26. The war against terror may be
difficult, but the days of peace will come
again. Terror is evil; nowhere in history has
evil endured forever. The menace of Boko
Haram will surely come to an end. I believe
that because of your prayers, your courage, hardwork, faith and
sacrifice, we will
ultimately prevail over the terrorists and all
other evil forces.
27. We are a strong, resilient and
courageous people. We will continue to
partner with the civilized world, to confront
international terrorism and every other
challenge that comes our way with patriotic
zeal and determination. Fellow Nigerians,
28. Yes, we have challenges but we will
surely overcome. Nigeria is our country.
Nigeria is blessed. We will all collectively
protect, defend and develop this country for
ourselves, and our children.
29. Long live the Federal Republic
of Nigeria.
30. Thank you and God bless
Nigeria.

Posted by Chrisray

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