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NEW YEAR BROADCAST TO THE NATION BY GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, JANUARY 1, 2015.
Original Post By http://www.osundefender.org/
Dear Great People of our nation,
President Goodluck Jonathan(GCFR)
1. I greet and felicitate with you all as
we enter the New Year today. As we
mark the beginning of this New Year,
2015, a new nation is being born. A new
nation is being born because of the
foundations we have all laid, working
together for the good and progress of
our dear fatherland.
we enter the New Year today. As we
mark the beginning of this New Year,
2015, a new nation is being born. A new
nation is being born because of the
foundations we have all laid, working
together for the good and progress of
our dear fatherland.
2. I join you all in thanking God
Almighty who has brought us this far,
for continually bestowing His Grace
upon us and for guiding our great
nation safely through all the challenges
of the past year.
Almighty who has brought us this far,
for continually bestowing His Grace
upon us and for guiding our great
nation safely through all the challenges
of the past year.
3. This year, as in the year past, I
reaffirm my commitment to work to
ensure a secure future for our dear
country and the generations yet unborn.
reaffirm my commitment to work to
ensure a secure future for our dear
country and the generations yet unborn.
4. Last year, we celebrated our
hundredth year of nationhood. The year
brought us further progress, challenges
and fresh opportunities.
hundredth year of nationhood. The year
brought us further progress, challenges
and fresh opportunities.
5. We have contended with the normal
challenges of nation-building and the
unusual challenges of terrorism.
challenges of nation-building and the
unusual challenges of terrorism.
6. But we have continued to vigorously
confront those who seek to destroy the
bonds of unity that hold us together.
confront those who seek to destroy the
bonds of unity that hold us together.
7. On this first day of the New Year, I
want to pay special tribute to the gallant
officers, men and women of our Armed
Forces and other security agencies who
have been in the forefront of the war
against terrorism and violent extremism
in our country and sub-region.
want to pay special tribute to the gallant
officers, men and women of our Armed
Forces and other security agencies who
have been in the forefront of the war
against terrorism and violent extremism
in our country and sub-region.
8. I also commend all Nigerians who
have remained vigilant and cooperative
with our security agencies in the fight
against the common enemy.
have remained vigilant and cooperative
with our security agencies in the fight
against the common enemy.
9. We are re-equipping and re-
positioning our armed forces to enhance
their capacity to win the ongoing war
against terror and insurgency.
positioning our armed forces to enhance
their capacity to win the ongoing war
against terror and insurgency.
10. Regrettably, terrorists have
unleashed much pain and agony on our
land. They have made widows of our
mothers and sisters and orphans of our
children. They have shut down
businesses, desecrated places of worship
and brought untold hardship to both
men and women. They have violated the
culture and peaceful way of life in our
country, which took generations to
build.
unleashed much pain and agony on our
land. They have made widows of our
mothers and sisters and orphans of our
children. They have shut down
businesses, desecrated places of worship
and brought untold hardship to both
men and women. They have violated the
culture and peaceful way of life in our
country, which took generations to
build.
11. They have destroyed countless
schools and displaced people from their
communities, driving them into exile.
schools and displaced people from their
communities, driving them into exile.
12. I want to assure you that the
terrorists will not get away with their
atrocities: they will not win; they will be
routed. As President, I feel the pain of
all affected communities and families. I
hear their cries and share their sorrow
and pain.
terrorists will not get away with their
atrocities: they will not win; they will be
routed. As President, I feel the pain of
all affected communities and families. I
hear their cries and share their sorrow
and pain.
13. We will not forget; we will not look
the other way. We have done a lot of
painstaking planning and work to
resolve the current security challenge.
We will bring justice to the savage
terrorists known as Boko Haram. They
will be defeated.
the other way. We have done a lot of
painstaking planning and work to
resolve the current security challenge.
We will bring justice to the savage
terrorists known as Boko Haram. They
will be defeated.
14. That is the solemn commitment I
make today as President of the Federal
Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of
our Armed Forces.
make today as President of the Federal
Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of
our Armed Forces.
15. By the Special Grace of God, the
Federal Government, under my
leadership, has continued, in the past
four years to lead our country forward,
even under the most trying
circumstances.
Federal Government, under my
leadership, has continued, in the past
four years to lead our country forward,
even under the most trying
circumstances.
16. The progress we have made in
priority areas bears us testimony.
priority areas bears us testimony.
17. Amongst other achievements, we
have rehabilitated and expanded our
rail transportation network, successfully
privatized power generation and
distribution, significantly reformed and
increased local participation in our oil
and gas industry, and improved
nationwide access to potable water from
57% in 2010, to 70% at present.
have rehabilitated and expanded our
rail transportation network, successfully
privatized power generation and
distribution, significantly reformed and
increased local participation in our oil
and gas industry, and improved
nationwide access to potable water from
57% in 2010, to 70% at present.
18. We have also made significant
progress in improving access to primary,
secondary and tertiary education by
building and equipping more schools,
including special Almajiri schools, and
establishing additional universities to
ensure that each state of the nation now
has at least one Federal University.
progress in improving access to primary,
secondary and tertiary education by
building and equipping more schools,
including special Almajiri schools, and
establishing additional universities to
ensure that each state of the nation now
has at least one Federal University.
19. Our national economy maintained a
steady growth rate of close to seven per
cent in the past four years and millions
of fresh employment opportunities were
created for our people as a direct
consequence.
steady growth rate of close to seven per
cent in the past four years and millions
of fresh employment opportunities were
created for our people as a direct
consequence.
20. Recently, we launched the Youth
Employment in Agriculture Programme
(YEAP) and the $100 million dollars
Government and Donor Fund for
Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN)
to fast-track the positive transformation
of our agricultural sector.
Employment in Agriculture Programme
(YEAP) and the $100 million dollars
Government and Donor Fund for
Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN)
to fast-track the positive transformation
of our agricultural sector.
21. The Youth Employment in
Agriculture Programme (YEAP) targets
750, 000 market-oriented young
agricultural producers while the $100
million dollars Fund is to provide
affordable long-term financing to
support the development of small and
medium agribusinesses in the country.
Agriculture Programme (YEAP) targets
750, 000 market-oriented young
agricultural producers while the $100
million dollars Fund is to provide
affordable long-term financing to
support the development of small and
medium agribusinesses in the country.
22. This is in addition to a N50 billion
Farm Mechanization Support Fund set
up by the Central Bank to establish
1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring
enterprises.
Farm Mechanization Support Fund set
up by the Central Bank to establish
1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring
enterprises.
23. Both funds will become fully
operational this year. Policies and
programmes such as these to boost
agricultural production remain topmost
on the agenda of this administration.
operational this year. Policies and
programmes such as these to boost
agricultural production remain topmost
on the agenda of this administration.
24. Being very conscious of the inherent
perils of our over-reliance on income
from crude oil exports for national
development, we have focused on
accelerating the diversification of our
economy.
perils of our over-reliance on income
from crude oil exports for national
development, we have focused on
accelerating the diversification of our
economy.
25. The non-oil Sector which has grown
by an average of 8% in the last few
years, is now a major driver of growth
in our economy.
by an average of 8% in the last few
years, is now a major driver of growth
in our economy.
26. The 2015 national budget, which is
now before the National Assembly, is
targeted at deepening our efforts at
becoming a non-oil economy.
now before the National Assembly, is
targeted at deepening our efforts at
becoming a non-oil economy.
27. The budget also includes measures to
ensure that the downturn in the price of
oil does not affect our development
plans and our national economy too
adversely. We are adjusting our
financial processes to safeguard our
economy. We are also taking steps to
ensure that the poor and the low and
medium income earners do not bear the
brunt.
ensure that the downturn in the price of
oil does not affect our development
plans and our national economy too
adversely. We are adjusting our
financial processes to safeguard our
economy. We are also taking steps to
ensure that the poor and the low and
medium income earners do not bear the
brunt.
28. In 2015, this administration will
continue to lay the foundation for a
vibrant economy that attracts significant
Foreign Direct Investment and promotes
policies that ensure economic stability.
continue to lay the foundation for a
vibrant economy that attracts significant
Foreign Direct Investment and promotes
policies that ensure economic stability.
29. We will ensure stability in the value
of the Naira by striving to take away
speculative behaviours that cause
market exchange pressures.
of the Naira by striving to take away
speculative behaviours that cause
market exchange pressures.
30. We will continue to build and
maintain a healthy external reserves
position and strengthen fiscal buffers.
We will ensure the Naira remains
strong, and gives foreign investors the
clarity and certainty that they need, to
guide future investment decisions.
maintain a healthy external reserves
position and strengthen fiscal buffers.
We will ensure the Naira remains
strong, and gives foreign investors the
clarity and certainty that they need, to
guide future investment decisions.
31. We will continue to improve our
payment systems and strengthen risk-
based supervision mechanism for
Nigerian banks to ensure overall health
and stability of the banking system.
payment systems and strengthen risk-
based supervision mechanism for
Nigerian banks to ensure overall health
and stability of the banking system.
32. We are introducing a broad spectrum
of financial instruments to boost sector-
specific enterprise areas in agriculture,
Micro, Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing,
and oil and gas to enhance our
aggregate supply capacity, reduce
poverty, promote job creation and
increase the general well-being of our
people.
of financial instruments to boost sector-
specific enterprise areas in agriculture,
Micro, Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing,
and oil and gas to enhance our
aggregate supply capacity, reduce
poverty, promote job creation and
increase the general well-being of our
people.
33. These efforts and other measures
being spearheaded by relevant
Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
are geared to ensure a secure future for
Nigeria and create a much more
prosperous country, where people live
more peaceful and fulfilled lives.
Fellow countrymen and women,
being spearheaded by relevant
Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
are geared to ensure a secure future for
Nigeria and create a much more
prosperous country, where people live
more peaceful and fulfilled lives.
Fellow countrymen and women,
34. As we enter an election year, I
assure you that our administration will
remain fully focused on providing good
governance and the delivery of better
public services to our people.
assure you that our administration will
remain fully focused on providing good
governance and the delivery of better
public services to our people.
35. The coming campaigns and elections
will not distract us from our ongoing
work to significantly improve the living
conditions of our people. And I urge all
tiers of government not to be distracted
as well.
will not distract us from our ongoing
work to significantly improve the living
conditions of our people. And I urge all
tiers of government not to be distracted
as well.
36. The elections are very important for
us as a country. Their successful
conclusion will further strengthen our
democratic institutions and place our
beloved country even more firmly in the
comity of truly democratic nations.
us as a country. Their successful
conclusion will further strengthen our
democratic institutions and place our
beloved country even more firmly in the
comity of truly democratic nations.
37. Given the challenges that have
characterized some previous electoral
contests in our country, the eyes of the
world will certainly be on the conduct
and outcome of our fifth post-military
rule general elections.
characterized some previous electoral
contests in our country, the eyes of the
world will certainly be on the conduct
and outcome of our fifth post-military
rule general elections.
38. I reassure all Nigerians and the
international community of our firm
commitment to free, fair and credible
elections. My commitment to free
elections and one man, one vote remains
unwavering.
international community of our firm
commitment to free, fair and credible
elections. My commitment to free
elections and one man, one vote remains
unwavering.
39. Our administration has worked hard
in previous elections to prepare all key
stakeholders including the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC),
security agencies and the electorate
optimally, to ensure a progressively
improved electoral process in the
country under my watch. We will
continue to do so for the coming
elections.
in previous elections to prepare all key
stakeholders including the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC),
security agencies and the electorate
optimally, to ensure a progressively
improved electoral process in the
country under my watch. We will
continue to do so for the coming
elections.
40. We will continue to provide
adequate funding to INEC and maintain
the Commission’s independence and
isolate it from any form of interference
or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.
This shall continue to guarantee its
impartiality and ability to conduct more
credible and acceptable elections.
adequate funding to INEC and maintain
the Commission’s independence and
isolate it from any form of interference
or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.
This shall continue to guarantee its
impartiality and ability to conduct more
credible and acceptable elections.
41. National security agencies will also
be given all necessary support to
enhance their ability to ensure that the
elections are peaceful and violence-free.
The Nigeria Police has already
established an Elections Security
Planning and Monitoring Unit.
be given all necessary support to
enhance their ability to ensure that the
elections are peaceful and violence-free.
The Nigeria Police has already
established an Elections Security
Planning and Monitoring Unit.
42. I am optimistic that with the
cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of
the country, our commitment to have a
peaceful and violence-free election will
be actualized.
cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of
the country, our commitment to have a
peaceful and violence-free election will
be actualized.
43. I will like to say this, once again, to
my fellow politicians and political
leaders. None of our political ambitions
is worth the blood of any of our
countrymen, women and children. The
improvement of their lives and living
conditions ought to be our primary
motive and the driving force of our
quest for political power and leadership
positions.
my fellow politicians and political
leaders. None of our political ambitions
is worth the blood of any of our
countrymen, women and children. The
improvement of their lives and living
conditions ought to be our primary
motive and the driving force of our
quest for political power and leadership
positions.
44. Let us not promote sectionalism,
disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or
the malicious abuse of political
opponents. Whatever we feel or seek,
we must have a nation and a people
before we can dream of political
ambitions. Let us put the nation and the
people first.
disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or
the malicious abuse of political
opponents. Whatever we feel or seek,
we must have a nation and a people
before we can dream of political
ambitions. Let us put the nation and the
people first.
45. Let us all conduct our electoral
campaigns with the highest possible
decorum and civility towards political
opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest
possible support and cooperation it
requires to conduct credible and
violence-free elections in 2015.
campaigns with the highest possible
decorum and civility towards political
opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest
possible support and cooperation it
requires to conduct credible and
violence-free elections in 2015.
46. After the 2011 general elections,
some unpatriotic elements embarked on
an orgy of violence, resulting in the
destruction of lives and property. That
will not be allowed to happen this time
around. This government will act
decisively against anyone who disrupts
the public peace, before, during or after
the 2015 general elections.
some unpatriotic elements embarked on
an orgy of violence, resulting in the
destruction of lives and property. That
will not be allowed to happen this time
around. This government will act
decisively against anyone who disrupts
the public peace, before, during or after
the 2015 general elections.
47. All Nigerians, of voting age, are free
to vote based on their convictions. It is
our duty to defend and protect that basic
right, and let no one be in doubt, we
will.
48. Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to
enter the New Year with renewed zeal
and patriotism, to serve our fatherland
with love, honesty, faithfulness and
hope for a greater tomorrow.
to vote based on their convictions. It is
our duty to defend and protect that basic
right, and let no one be in doubt, we
will.
48. Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to
enter the New Year with renewed zeal
and patriotism, to serve our fatherland
with love, honesty, faithfulness and
hope for a greater tomorrow.
49. As I have always maintained, none
of the challenges before us is
insurmountable. We must come together
as a people and work with single-
minded unity of purpose to overcome
them.
of the challenges before us is
insurmountable. We must come together
as a people and work with single-
minded unity of purpose to overcome
them.
50. Nigeria is a key country in Africa.
We must work together to maintain our
strategic position and collaborate with
others to move the continent forward. I
call for peace in Africa and an end to all
conflicts in our continent. I urge all
Africans to promote democracy in their
respective countries to ensure faster
development of the continent and faster
economic and political integration.
We must work together to maintain our
strategic position and collaborate with
others to move the continent forward. I
call for peace in Africa and an end to all
conflicts in our continent. I urge all
Africans to promote democracy in their
respective countries to ensure faster
development of the continent and faster
economic and political integration.
51. We will continue to pray and offer
hands of fellowship and assistance to
our fellow Africans suffering from the
Ebola Virus Disease. I urge all Nigerians
to show compassion and contribute in
whatever way we can to help our
African brothers and sisters.
hands of fellowship and assistance to
our fellow Africans suffering from the
Ebola Virus Disease. I urge all Nigerians
to show compassion and contribute in
whatever way we can to help our
African brothers and sisters.
52. As we go into this New Year, I salute
the indomitable and resilient spirit of
our people in Nigeria and wherever
they are in the world. Our spirit of
enterprise and the doggedness to
succeed amongst all odds has been our
strength.
the indomitable and resilient spirit of
our people in Nigeria and wherever
they are in the world. Our spirit of
enterprise and the doggedness to
succeed amongst all odds has been our
strength.
53. With our collective prayers and
efforts, we will grow our economy and
our people will become wealthier.
Government will continue with
programmes deliberately designed to
create more jobs for our youth, to enable
them contribute more to the growth and
development of our nation.
efforts, we will grow our economy and
our people will become wealthier.
Government will continue with
programmes deliberately designed to
create more jobs for our youth, to enable
them contribute more to the growth and
development of our nation.
54. Let us continue our march to the
future, towards the attainment of our
collective vision of a strong, united,
prosperous and harmonious nation – a
secure nation for us and for our coming
generations.
future, towards the attainment of our
collective vision of a strong, united,
prosperous and harmonious nation – a
secure nation for us and for our coming
generations.
55. I wish you all a happy and fulfilling
2015.
2015.
56. God bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
Nigeria.
57. Happy New Year, Nigeria!
58. I thank you all.
#Nigeria
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