President Goodluck Jonathan

By Kunle Akogun and Ahamefula Ogbu

President Goodluck Jonathan has again spoken of the determination of his administration to combat terrorism, saying he would not allow recent violent attacks on the country to define Nigeria.

He also said all leaders and politicians in the country should eschew political differences and work in the interest of the country for the development and proper positioning of Nigeria in global affairs.

Senate President David Mark described the current security challenge facing the country as a passing phase, which all Nigerians must rise up to surmount.

The country is celebrating its 51st Independence anniversary against the backdrop of fear of terror attacks by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The government has said the anniversary would be low-key.

In his broadcast to the nation this morning to mark the occasion, President Jonathan said he was committed to securing every citizen of the country as he has reinvigorated the national security strategy to combat all threats to safety and peace.

Jonathan said: "My administration will spare no effort in fighting crime, building peace, and securing our homeland against internal threats and infiltration by violent groups, from outside our borders. We condemn all acts of violence and declare that such acts of mindless savagery shall not be allowed to define our country. We will not be deterred. Our resolve is strong.

"I have put in place a new and reinvigorated national security strategy, to combat the threat to our safety. Yet, no matter what I do as your President and no matter what we do as your elected leaders, at all levels, the peace and security of our nation rest also on our collective efforts as citizens, in our various communities.

"All leaders and citizens, in every community, must therefore make peace the number one priority of their daily routine.  This is because, without peace, no community can realise its objectives or achieve a happy and productive life for its members."

He said the current incidents of violence and terror, in parts of the country, would be overcome. “We will secure the safety of our citizens for only when we do this, will we be able to build the needed peace and tranquillity in all parts of the federation," he added.

The president promised to create a secure and buoyant economy during which individuals would be allowed to pursue their business aspiration and the country equipped to perform its role in the global arena.

Jonathan said Nigeria has passed through a lot of trying times and would as it did in the past, survive and emerge stronger, adding, "For the Nigerian spirit cannot be broken. We are a resilient nation, determined to chart a course, through the turbulent waters of nation building. The Nigerian spirit is vibrant today in the world".

He also stated that he was committed to building a Nigeria where democracy and rule of law would prevail.

In response to the notion that the country has nothing to celebrate at 51, the president submitted that the country has made its marks in the global arena, contributing significantly to engendering peace in all parts of the world while ensuring that on the diplomatic front, it sets the pace.

"The journey to nationhood always has its own challenges. Nigeria has had her own share. Our growing pains as a nation have included the civil war, the June 12 election crisis and restlessness in the Niger Delta. But Nigeria has always overcome each of these challenges. We overcame before. We will overcome yet again.

"Today, as a nation, there is much for us to celebrate. We celebrate our diversity. We celebrate our entrepreneurial spirit.

"We celebrate our resilience and ability to turn adversity into hope. We celebrate our culture. For the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain," he said.

On efforts to repair the economy which he said had engaged his focus from the inception of his administration with a view to creating employment, he hinted that, "In a few days’ time, I shall launch an innovative competition for our young entrepreneurs to come up with ways to expand their businesses, create more jobs, and sharpen their business skills".

Sounding optimistic about the direction of the economy, he said Nigeria currently has the fastest growing Gross Domestic Product which improved from 7.8 per cent to the current 8 per cent with every economic indices pointing in the positive growth which raises hope for the attainment of the Vision 20:2020 goal that will combine economic growth and job creation.

He said: "Growth in agriculture and other non-oil sectors are crucial, to help diversify the economy and to generate much needed jobs. Agriculture remains one of the highest priorities in my government’s Agenda for National Transformation.

"Self-sufficiency in rice alone will save us the 356 Billion Naira that we currently spend annually importing rice. We will revamp the way we distribute fertilizers, taking government out of distribution of fertilizers.

"We plan to reach 20 million farmers with private-sector distributed fertilizers over the next four years. We will improve the investment environment and incentives for the private sector across the agricultural value chains. Our agricultural transformation plan will generate 3.5 million jobs and an additional 20 million metric tons of food.”

"We must also take pride in our scientists. This week, Nigeria released 8 new high yielding cocoa varieties. This will help to transform cocoa production, across the 14 cocoa producing states in the nation," he said.

The president said his intention was to turn the country from a net importer of staple food items and ensure that Nigeria which produces large quantities of crude oil would stop importing refined products but will become a net exporter of refined products n by building refineries and refurbishing old ones by involving the private sector.

In his goodwill message to the nation on the independence anniversary, Mark assured Nigerians that in spite of the security threat, which he identified as one of the challenges of nationhood, the country would remain united and unbreakable.

He urged Nigerians not to despair "because there will be light at the end of the tunnel".

Mark listed measures being adopted by government to address the security challenges to include massive recruitment and regular training of security operatives, adequate appropriation to agencies, enlightenment and community participation in surveillance.

He said: "We can only appeal to the conscience of the aggrieved to sheathe their swords, embrace dialogue so that we can all find a common solution to our common problem rather than resort to violence. Destruction of lives and property or venting anger on your fellow citizen or foreigner can only aggravate the situation and further distance us from the solution.

"Whatever the anger or misgivings, dialogue and resort to defined channels of communication remain the best option".