Nigeria: The Country We're In By Uche Okeke

"A political system characterised by widespread social exclusion cannot be regarded as efficient, it must be overhauled because it will never be sustainable"- Uche Okeke. Photo: Facebook.
It's very sad that Nigeria government has failed to unlock the secret that could lift its population out of poverty. It's only interested in the next election-'bribe & bullet'. The country must be prepared to address the interconnectedness of trust, governance, economic development and growth. We must be willing to discard routine political rhetorics and embrace the reality- invest in human capital, and key infrastructure without political bias and favouritism, instead of white elephant projects that do not add value to improving living standards. In changing times, the 19th century ideology of exploitation and domination is no longer acceptable. A dysfunctional political system that discriminates- bogus, expensive, wasteful and dictatorial does not drive development. The country is facing steady deterioration, fracturing, fragmentation, democratic governance is now threatened and the political climate does not encourage investment, 'investment should be encouraged, not repressed',  it's impossible to attract investment in a political environment of fear and terror, this should be a huge cause for concern. Today the country is locked into stagnation and instability, low investment, low growth, insecurity, mass unemployment and low skills have increased, this is a huge  dilemma. The political structure was designed to ensure that the country won't exist in the future. The imperfection in the system is the source of all the problems we're currently facing- cabals, grab your share phenomenon, corruption, etc.We must be willing to do something about it urgently. Unfortunately the government says restructuring is not the answer. The idea that anybody who disagrees is free to go to another country is worrisome and may not be the immediate solution to break out of this dilemma. We must reform the political structure and character of decision-making- new leadership, people of expertise and experience that will guarantee democratic governance-inclusiveness, openness, transparency and accountability  to reposition the country to leverage global partnerships to lift the population out of poverty, that's the whole point. Reform/Restructuring is the essential ingridient needed now, it is "an integral part of economic and social renewal', so we must embrace it. A political system which discriminates against its own citizens, often using conquering techniques to surpress equal recognition of individual economic and political rights must be dismantled. A political system which promotes insecurity and instability, excludes millions from secure employment or causes social disintegration will never be efficient nor sustainable. In a 21st century, the focus of the country we're In should be innovative system/ leadership that will equip its young population to explore the risk and opportunities in the global economy, not just the next election. A system that uses the resources of the country to fund few people- the executive and the legislature, friends, families and associates, pay itself exorbitant salaries, unaccountable security votes, for the purposes of ''luxury and adornment", fund white elephant projects, the next election, etc should be restructured. The whole system needs overhauling. We will continue to spread the word about what works to secure human freedom, change comes only by speaking the truth to power. As the country's population booms we must restructure the monstrous political structure/system that exploits people and keep them in perpetual poverty. Restructuring is citizens right, not a choice. Restructuring is about pragmatic innovative solutions to the country's socio-economic and political challenges not politics or soverieignty. In a new world of opportunities, big businesses are looking for new investment destinations like Nigeria, but they need favourable political climate, shared pools of skilled labour, favourable policies that will reduce transaction costs. They offer great opportunities to lift ordinary people out of poverty. They come with scarce capital and technology into a country which creates employment and new income for local citizens. We must empower people not control. We must rediscover comparative advantage and competitiveness by granting greater economic and financial resources to states to enable them manage effectively the security and prosperity of its citizens and full integration into governance without undue interference of the centre. There's urgent need for new cities, key infrastructure, interconnectivity including sea ports, airhubs, marred by unnecessary politicization of public services. Today it's very evident that the current political system characterised by abuse of power threatens national security and prosperity so this is not the future as we're currently witnessing. The problem just stare at us in the face. We must do something about it, now is the time to address it. A political system characterised by 'enormous concentration of control over its wealth and activities in the hands of  few elites', and anyone who disagrees is an enemy of the state will not eradicate poverty. No doubt restructuring the country is one sure way to make the centre unattractive and end unncessary agitation for which region will produce the next president. Restructuring is to stimulate efficiency, productivity and growth, neither disintegration nor seccession as peddled by gutter politicians. According to the World Bank; "people drive a nation's stability and economic growth, that is why investing in a healthy, educated and resilient population is key to competing effectively in the global economy". The country has great potentials but the current political system whose motive is control; to maintain security over various ethnic regions limits the country's potentials.This political system is inhuman, exploitative and unsustainable. The time has come to re-think Nigeria's unitary-centralised system of government to lift the citizens out of poverty. How does it sound ; "those who feel they have another country may choose to go". In an ethnically diverse society like Nigeria, this is absolutism, a wake up call for immediate action. The country we're In must rediscover itself and focus on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals- SDGs 1- No Poverty, 8-Decent work and Economic Growth, 10-Reduced Inequalities and 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. In the words of Will Hutton; "The country does have a remarkable chance to transform itself and its institutions, and emerge as an economic supercompetitor with a socially cohesive society and a sophisticated democracy, I pray that the country takes it". We're very optimistic about the growth potentials of Africa's most populous country, oil economy, abundant human and material resources, a young and growing population. The dysfunctional political system which is the reason for persistence of poverty and stagnation must be restructured. This is a great challenge to Nigeria's political leaders.  Find out more soon as we continue to analyse socio-economic and political changes that create persistence of poverty and stagnation in Nigeria.
Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation.  He has participated in Political Economy of Institutions and Development; Universiteit Leiden. He lives in London.

References:

1. Human Capital And Social Accountability, World Bank, October 30 2018.

2. John A. Hughes, etal, Sage Publications Ltd, London 1995; Understanding Classical Sociology; Max, Weber, Durkheim.

3. Pete Hoestra, WSJ June 16, 2016; Buhari is Nigeria's Problem Not Its Solution.

4. Professor , Sir, Paul Collier, Oxford University, 2017; From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding Economic Development.

4. Professor Richard Griffiths; Political Economy of Institutions and Development; Universiteit Leiden.

5.Peter Jay, London 2000; Road To Riches or The Wealth of Man.

6. Russell Brand, Century, London 2014; Revolution.

7.Trenna Cormack, 2007; Be The Change.

8. Uche Okeke; London , 27 March 2018; Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-         'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

9. Uche Okeke, London 4 September 2018 ; The Hard Truth About Restructuring Nigeria.

10.Will Hutton, London,1995;   The State We're In.

Read More:
1.State Failure in Nigeria Should Be A Huge Cause For Concern:
http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/10/state-failure-in-nigeria-should-be-huge.html
2. Governance in Nigeria; Exploitation & Domination:
http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/10/governance-in-nigeria-exploitation-and.html
3. #AtikulatedObi Provides The Answer To The National Predicament-'Governance & Economic Development: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/10/atikulatedobi-provides-answer-to-our.html
4 #AtikulatedObi Will Fill The Gap Created By Excesses of Totalitarian Rule in Nigeria
http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/10/atikulatedobi-will-fill-gap-created-by.html.

#AtikulatedObi will fill the gap created by the excesses of Nigeria's totalitarian rule

~AtikulatedObi brainstorming on how to stimulate and rebalance Nigeria's Economy. Photo: Facebook.

The truth the politicians wouldn't like to hear: In a political climate of fear and terror, people wouldn't be buying and businesses wouldn't be investing, the economy might not bounce back. In the words of John Maynard Keynes; "the economy might settle at a new lower equlibrium, at a level that will still leave mass unemployment", #AtikulatedObi will re-balance the economy while guaranteeing the equal recognition of individual economic and political rights violently repressed by this government. Find out more soon.

Politicians in Nigeria lose moral authority when they become partial

Everyone wins if things are done properly and transparently. It's very imperative that we address the dysfunctional political system which promotes abuse of power. Today the crude old ways of doing things are no longer accepted, we must re-think abuse of power if we want to move forward as a nation. The system must be fair and just to everyone, so we must do away with this toxic political culture of discrimination. We will take a good look at the probing of NNPC subsidy abuse of $3.4billion dollars by the legislators, luring in other corrupt politicians, and their relationship to the  treatment to opposition politicians in Nigeria. Is it proper and transparent for the president not to delegate the position of petroleum minister for better decision making, transparency and accountability, etc. Indeed politicians lose moral authority when they abuse the rights and dignity of citizens even if they are political opponents. Find out more soon.

Uche Okeke.

Nigeria: #AtikulatedObi Provides The Answer To Our National Predicament- Good Governance, Economic Development.

"Social inclusion, a well functioning democracy and a high investing business system supported by a long-termist financial sector are not optional extras; they are interdependent and fundamental necessities. We should not rest until we have them"-Will Hutton. Photo: Facebook
Good things happen at the right time. The truth is that Nigeria is going to go on growing so we can't keep things as they are, there must be a radical shift from the past. Today there is urgent need for wholesome reform/restructuring of the whole system to address the ''nightmare scenario of a failure to accomplish economic development''. #AtikulatedObi ticket provides the answer to this national predicament-investments in the future. President Buhari represents the old school-power grabs, a cabal or groups at the top of our society who fear that their interests might suffer if our political system were to be made 'more humane and productive', this is not the future. Sadly some of his friends who share this belief in the past have abandoned that barbaric idea having recognised the need for a new Nigeria that needs to address the interconnectedness of trust, governance and economic growth. The current government under President Buhari has failed all the dimensions of 'good governance, democracy, the rule of law, corruption and economic growth'. Today the country is trapped in the past, the reasons for the current pains and stagnation; insecurity, mass unemployment, persistence of poverty, fracturing, political bias and favouritism, continuing wastes on patronage politics, full blown dictatorship, steady deterioration of the economy, lack of open, transparent and accountable government. The statement Atiku is making is that the future must be better than the present; political modernity, inclusiveness, investments, high employment, new skills, economic growth and stability. Furthermore, there is the danger that our society/country is now weakening in the ties that bind it together, full blown dictatorship and deteriorating economy so there's urgent need to address the political system and put the country's public finances on a sustainable footing. No one is going to invest in a political climate of fear and terror. #AtikulatedObi is the only sure way to discontinue with the legacy of past mistakes. The pair are loaded with rich experience in public and private sector development and growth so are best positioned to address the centrality of good governance and economic development. I pray we embrace this choice . In Nigeria today trust is broken, people don't seem to trust the government leading to hightened agitation for restructuring and separation, without trust there's no business, trust leads to better quality of government to deliver social good to all citizens, AtikulatedObi has shown leadership in this direction. #AtikulatedObi will provide the leadership that can serve all stakeholders of the society, provide investments and political climate that will drive investor confidence and reposition Nigeria as new destination for global trade and investments and provide young people the opportunity of growth policies, infrastructure, better public services including education and healthcare services to benefit from the opportunities of the global economy. Young people in Nigeria need relevant investments-infrastructure,education, new knowledge, new skills training especially growing set of digital tools for globalisation; the economy of the future- trade, financial markets, foreign direct investments, basically the pair are very familiar with these concepts and are in the best position to manage both the risks and opportunity it presents, so this is the leadership desperatly needed for the future. The current government in Nigeria poses political and economic risks, and having rejected restructuring we must reject it come 2019 and embrace a new leadership that will address the interconnectedness of trust, governance and growth. The new century requires leaders with very good understanding of the "complex, interconnected challenges that governments face in delivering stability and prosperity", getting it wrong poses economic and human consequences as we are currently witnessing under APCs government in Nigeria.  Politics and Economics are interrelated, just like markets, it has rules that must be transparently and properly applied to get it right, the first basic step is leadership, so ordinary people need to be well-informed to make better choices about the future. In the words of Professor Richard Thomas Griffiths; "If access to, and participation in a political process is open and transparent, and that as a result government discharges its functions fairly and effectively; it will make ethnic, linguistic and religious differences less important politically, and as a result, it will reinforce levels of generalized trust"- [Professor Richard Thomas Griffiths; Political Economy of Institutions and Development; Universiteit Leiden]. Today Good Governance is not an option we must embrace it by addressing the dysfunctional political system which promotes bad governance, this starts with a new leadership that will guarantee citizens right not violently repressing them. Restructuring/Constitutional change is citizens right, its not a gift of the federal government. I learnt Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB), has started his trade-mark rhetorics, The time has come for him to re-think his strategy. He should demonstrate the willingness to co-operate and work with the progressives, #AtikulatedObi alliance, this is a sure positive step because you need freedom to agitate for your rights. The Africa's most populous country presents great opportunity, if there is good governance that will leverage global partnerships to achieve economic growth and lift its citizens out of poverty.  We have addressed the issue of corruption, this APC's government is also not free of corruption given abundant evidences. #AtikulatedObi understands democratic governance,corruption, the rule of law and human rights and the urgent need to build strong institutions that will address corruption devoid of political bias and favouritism for political gains, that's the whole point. We must learn to look at the positives instead of the negatives. #AtikulatedObi has proven qualities of knowledge economy, empathy, diplomacy and leadership needed to achieve economic growth, so this should be our focus.  I told my friend who was sharing long CV's of Professors on Social Media , that what matters is not just long CV's but job/wealth creation. The owners of Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Alibaba, Microsoft etc don't have long CV's but they've changed the world with creativity, and innovation, even President Trump doesn't have a very long CV but American Economy is very strong and unemployment is at low record levels, Atiku can replicate same in Nigeria given his proven entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Experience and expertise is very essential.
Sixtus Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur/Political Economist, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

State failure in Nigeria should be a huge cause for concern

"Everything depends on politics, we must embrace a new leadership that will guarantee participatory democracy in Nigeria"-Uche Okeke. Photo: The LEAD Project Foundation.

The time has come for citizens to be well-informed about the choice of leadership they make in the society, governance is directly linked to economic development in poorer countries. What you put is what you get. State failure is simply a failure of any country to accomplish economic development. The reasons are very obvious in Nigeria; abuse of power, promoted by a dysfunctional political system that promotes 'wastes, expensive and dictatorship'. We have just seen the recent World Bank's Human Capital Index report for 2018, placing Nigeria 152 out of 157 countries, this is a big shame for an oil economy and Africa's largest economy and most populous country , now the poorest country in Africa, one of the least peaceful and unstable country. State failure is a threat to everyone including our neighbours- 'Citizens, Regional and International community', we should be very worried about it. The government we elected should apologize to Nigerians and commence its exit process as  soon as possible since they don't offer any further promise of change having rejected restructuring of the current political system which is the main reason for stagnation and persistence of poverty. What does failed states offer?, the answer is a lawless space where crime and insecurity thrives, mass unemployment, persistence of poverty and stagnation, instability, crime and terrorism flourish, instability, money meant for development is used to fund ransome payments to terrorists. We have repeatedly maintained that the president and his supporters don't seem to understand the national predicament of Governance and Economic Development in ethnically diverse society like Nigeria, they are simply interested in power grabs; maintaining the status-quo, this is not the future especially in a 21st century. Good governance, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, corruption are linked to economic development and growth, however what President Buhari offers is bad governance, the opposite of good governance; abuse of power, absence of rule of law and human rights, political and economic corruption including medical tourism, appointing himself petroleum minister, fracturing, political bias and favouritism, exclusion, ethnic minority discrimination, opposition clampdown, clampdown on free speech, flawed and biased development policy of 95/05%, exploitation and domination often using conquering techniques on some sections of the society, selective justice, wastes on patronage, full-blown dictatorship that denies the citizens of open, transparent, accountable and inclusive government,increase in crime and terrorism as the herdsmen demonstrates, mass unemployment and persistence of poverty. Today the question that should be uppermost in our lips is how can we promote/achieve good governance and economic development in ethnically diverse society like Nigeria, and avoid state failure. The answer is very simple:

 a)Open, transparent and accountable government that is inclusive and people's rights and freedom respected not authoritarian government with abuse of power.

b)Restructuring : A political system that is more ''humane and productive'', guarantees good governance and strong institutions independent of the executive control.
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c) A well functioning democracy that guarantees social inclusion and a high investing business system supported by a long-termist financial sector'', a real choice which #AtikulatedObi offers to Nigerians.

d)New Leadership: Educated leadership with experience and expertise to deliver- investments in growth policies-Infrastructure and better public services-education,new skills , healthcare, etc.

e)Educated Electorate: Civic Education & Citizen Engagement Education; People willing to reject 'bribe & bullet' to demand good governance'.

f) Globalisation/Global partnerships for Development-tech, trade, financial markets, foreign direct investments including diaspora, development institutions, and other various stakeholder partnerships,etc.

 There is urgent need for the restructuring of this dysfunctional political system that promotes wastes, expensive, inefficiency and dictatorship to empower independent states to invest massively in growth policies including infrastructure, and better public services including education and healthcare services. Even state policing will make a huge difference in local security of lives and properties as proved by the recent atrocities of the herdsmen in Nigeria. We must free up the resources being wasted at the centre for personal and patronage politics that serves just the few, their families and associates to invest in the future of the country to benefit all the citizens, not just political bribery and violently interfering and repressing those who disagree with dictatorial policies of the centre to remain permanently in power. Certainly Dictatorship/Authoritarian rule is not the answer, so we must liberate ourselves from abuse of power and misrule which dictatorship offers. #AtikulatedObi will improve the efficiency of the system, raise economic growth and stability, advance the welfare of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion and eradicate the tyranical and flawed development policy of 95%/5%, that's the whole point. The constitution and dysfunctional political system which permit dictatorship and deny democratic accountability, human rights and active citizenship must be overhauled-Restructured. The people must reject any leadership or political party that denies them this fundamental right to freedom.

 Sixtus Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur, Political Economist, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

Find out more: #AtikulatedObi Provides the solution to our National Predicament-'Governance And Economic Development: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/10/atikulatedobi-provides-answer-to-our.html

Governance in Nigeria, 'exploitation and domination'

"Investing in a healthy, educated and resilient population is key to competing effectively in the global economy"- World Bank(Human Capital, InvestInPeople). Photo: Uche Okeke

The phenomenon of governance is linked to economic growth, welfare and prosperity. Governance in Nigeria is based on 19th century ideology of 'exploitation and domination', undemocratic, bullying and unaccountable to anyone. The country's capital and resources serve just the ruling elite  for  their for the 'purpose of luxury and adornment', excluding the majority. Could it get any worse, the answer is certainly YES, it's very difficult to achieve growth in a dysfunctional system. We must address the root of the problem, 'hijacking by despotism'; the licence to do as one pleases. The status-quo does not bring change. Persistence of poverty and stagnation in Nigeria  is due to bad governance- abuse of power. Income and wealth inequality, mass unemployment, poverty, herdsmen, insecurity and political instability are all as a result of bad governance. Climate change, population explosion is not the reason for poverty neither should it be the reason for the killings of innocent civilians by the herdsmen, so we must do something about it. Foreign aid is not the solution to poverty, if the oil revenue could not address poverty , aid will not be effective, so good governance is the solution. The system must be inclusive, pluralism is the solution. How can we achieve this inclusiveness? We must address the root of the problem. Nigeria is not a homogeneous or common interest society, the pull of identity is very strong, this erodes trust. The unitary-centralist political system that the country is operating which influenced population census for economic and political power-resource allocation and legislature representation;- 'expensive, wastesful and dictatorial' must be overhauled/restructured to make the country more productive and competitive. Today the government in power has eroded trust, government is partial, dividing the country along ethnic lines,"insufficient infrastructure, high government deficits, distorted foreign exchange markets, under-developed financial systems, political instability", etc, this drives the need for urgent overhaul of the political system by putting more economic and financial resources to states to enable them exploit their comparative advantage and competitiveness to achieve economic growth and lift their citizens out of poverty. The government in Nigeria has failed the seven indices that compare countries based on governance: EIU-Democratic Index, Heritage Economic Freedom Index, World Justice Rule of Law Index , Worldwide Government Index , Copetitiveness(Global Innovation Index , World Economic Competitiveness Index, World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index, and Transparency International Corruption Index . The Government spokesperson says they are not bothered by these international ratings, endorsing its policies and are convinced that their policies will win them the next presidential elections in February 2019. The government says its fighting corruption, but abuse of power is the worst corruption, toxic and dangerous, so we must do something about it.

The population of Nigeria will go on growing and these people live in the rural areas so the States need greater economic and financial resources to empower these people and connect them to the outside world. They need seaports, airports, electricity, internet, good roads, railways, housing, new skills, education and healthcare services, water, food, they need proper jobs not just handout. These are the places where things are beginning to happen. Find out more soon.

Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur, Political Economist;  the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

Nigeria@58 Analysis: Nigeria cannot fix today's challenges by completely ignoring the root of the problem

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"- A. Einstein. Photo: Uche Okeke.

As expected, President Muhammadu Buhari's independence day speech is predictable as it completely ignores the root of the problem his government is claiming to address- political corruption,'hijacking by despotism'-domination and exploitation. The blame games continues, with Social  Media now topping the list. The president was a great beneficiary of Social Media during the 2015 elections today he describes it as ''disruptive and corrosive forces'' that must be dealt with. The truth is that the politicians are yet to embrace the fact that today things have changed, they're simply out of touch with the reality, still dwelling in the past. Rather than confronting the real issues, the government is still peddling distorted views  that deliver poverty instead of peace and prosperity.  A good analysis of the president's independence day speech would reveal that he has failed to acknowledge the sorry state the country finds itself under his leadership-ineffective, inefficient and partial government; a ruthless autocracy violently repressing civil liberties and human rights, destroying institutions of the very democracy that empowered him, creating fear and terror in the country. The government always endorse itself making the public to look as if  it has some more purpose to offer to the challenges we face, its mission is simply power grips. If things are working very well as the president wants us to believe people wouldn't have deserted his independence day anniversary nationwide. The Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ex-Presidents and other eminent Nigerians deserted this year's independence anniversary, in a democracy this is a bad omen. Unfortunately political parties primary elections coincided with this year's independence anniversary, the outcomes nation wide has revealed the mood of the nation. Meanwhile, the president didn't even mention restructuring in his independence speech; the only innovative solution to good governance, inclusiveness, trust and economic progress in the modern era. The president says INEC will be independent, this is not true, restructuring is one sure way to guarantee good governance, rule of law and human rights, build strong institutions that will guarantee transparency and accountability. There is urgent need to revisit effective devolution to pioneer inclusiveness, transparency and accountability that's crucial to the nation's development, the status-quo has nothing more to offer. Stupidity is still believing that the current system will provide jobs for the teaming young population, and achieve the much needed social reforms. As it stands, the implications of the government's desperation to retain power will be more instability, stalled investment , stagnation , more poverty and hardships and a return to full blown dictatorship made possible by useful idiots. We have a chance to avoid this damaging and miserable outcomes by rejecting authoritarian rule come next election. We have had enough of the routine rhetoric independence day broadcast which does not have any impact on the people's welfare and growth . We must reject authoritarian rule to achieve economic progress and join the rest of the world's  free democratic societies where human rights, rule of law and good governance is the order of the day. There is no future in autocracy, so we must reject those who want to impose it on us. The truth is autocracy is 'incompatible with economic growth or political modernization', what it offers is ethnic, religious fragmentation as we have witnessed so far in this government.
Read more: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/09/growth-and-stability-is-not-too-complex.html

Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.

President Buhari's Independence Day Speech on 1st October 2018 | Nigeria @58

Read his full speech below:

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY H.E MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE 58TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, 1ST OCTOBER, 2018

Fellow Nigerians,

Today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. It is the anniversary of the day Nigerians realised one of the most cherished of human desires – the desire for freedom. We, therefore, give thanks to and remember our founding fathers who laboured so hard and sacrificed so much to build and bequeath to us this wonderful nation. It is our duty to consolidate this great legacy.

2. On this first October date and on the eve of the start of the general election cycle, we should do well to reflect on what binds us together and the great strength our diversity bestows on us. Ours is an ambitious nation, and, as citizens we have every right to look forward to the future with confidence and optimism which are well founded, considering where we find ourselves today.

3. There has been a steady improvement in the security situation in the North East. We remain committed to ending the crisis and make the North East safe for all.

4. Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims of the Boko Haram’s atrocities and their families. Beyond that, we know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed.

5. I want at this point to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies, who have been working under the most difficult conditions to keep the country safe. In the process, many have made the supreme sacrifice.

6. As their Commander -In- Chief, I assure these our gallant men and women that I will continue to empower them by deepening their professionalism and providing all the necessary force multipliers and enablers required for them to prevail on the field. I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their entitlements, their welfare and those of their families.

7. We are diversifying away from reliance on oil to increased manufacturing capacity, solid minerals development, and agriculture.

8. Efforts are on course in the Niger Delta to clean up polluted lands, restore hopes of the youths in the region and re-establish livelihoods, and strengthen their capacity to guarantee for themselves and for our country a brighter future.

9. The age-long conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst our people, is being addressed decisively. We will sustain and continue to support the commendable efforts by all including civil society organisations, local and states governments and our traditional and religious leaders in finding durable solution to this problem.

10. This being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts. In this context I must warn that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law. Meanwhile, we urge all peace-loving Nigerians to reject any simplistic portrayal, at home or abroad, of this conflict as either religious or ethnic based.

11. We are one of the countries in the world most affected by environmental degradation, as a consequence of climate change. We are signatories to almost all conventions and agreements aimed at slowing down the effect of climate change and mitigating its now evident consequences.

12. The consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on us to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment. We will continue to mobilise international support for our efforts in this regard.

13. We are making progress in the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance. The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more. Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.

14. Consequently, and this is very evident across the country, we have done more with less in infrastructural developments. Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.

15. There is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria. We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries. This is the cornerstone to help genuine investors and honest consumers, and the platform that will allow for the real reforms that we intend to deliver over the coming years.

16. We are gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate. We are building an economy that is moving away from over reliance on oil. Consequently we have witnessed massive return to farms and seen bumper harvest, despite recurrent floods across the country.

17. These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999.

18. At the forefront, have always been our youths. They have been at the vanguard of the struggle for independence. They fought in the war to keep the country united. And it was they who kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights in our country at times when these were at risk, especially following the June 12th 1993 election and the historic 2015 election process.

19. Even today, our youths play a central role in Nigeria’s continuing progress and developments in all fields of our national endeavour –technology, agriculture, mining, engineering and especially the creative arts. Together we are building a more diverse, inclusive and self-reliant economy.

20. In the past three years we have introduced many policies and programmes targeted at youth development and youth empowerment. We support the ‘not too young to run’ legislation aimed at giving the youths greater say in our national politics and governance.

21. The school feeding program in primary schools is aimed at encouraging enrolment and attendance. We are building on what we have already introduced to support schools and universities to which funds have recently been released for upgrade of facilities, training programs for our entrepreneurs, and rehabilitation schemes for victims of terrorism and human trafficking.

Fellow Nigerians,

22. Now we have in our hands technology that is a powerful tool that we can and should use for knowledge and understanding. As with other countries, we must also learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions.

23. Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts. Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake.

24. I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name.

Fellow Nigerians,

25. Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.

26. At the international level, we remain a responsible and respected member of the international community, playing active positive roles within ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations as well as all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members.

27. We will continue to support initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of our times: global and regional crises and conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime, climate change, human rights, gender equality, development, poverty and inequality within and between nations, etc. In this context, we are working hard to achieve both the AU 2063 Agenda for socio-economic transformation of our continent; and the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which together aim at addressing these challenges

Fellow Nigerians,

28. As we celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our independence, we know we are on the right path. Although we have our differences, they count for far less than the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite us as a nation. We have so much for which we should be grateful, and in which we should rightly take pride. Our journey is not finished but we have come a long way.

29. I want to assure you that as President, I will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve what really matters: a united, peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of background, can aspire to succeed.

Thank you. I wish you a memorable independence celebration.

Source: Channels TV