mascot87: When will Nigeria have an intelligent president that will not address the nation from one script?
The only point that makes sense in the speech as far as I am concerned is the DIALOG ON OUR WAY FORWARD I.E SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE. Dr. Femi Okuruwo is the president of the committee for dialogue on the way forward. He did not make any tangible point apart from this

yunglykmine: Sharrap plss.. Why must you always be negative? I knw your type.
SMH!!

Kenny4lyfe: 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.
46. I thank you.