Connect with us

News

Buhari throws challenge at Nigerians on Independence Day

Published

on

Again, Buhari says he’d soon bring killings by bandits to an end

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Nigerians to use the occasion of the 59th Independence Anniversary of the country to rededicate themselves to nation- building, and “the goals which we have set for ourselves”

The president In a national broadcast to the nation to mark the nation’s 59th Independence Anniversary celebration, said, “1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.

“It is also a time for us, collectively, to: Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers —- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960; and…Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges”.
The President stated that his government in the last four years, has combated Boko Haram terrorists and fought against corruption.

They were among many other things Buhari said his government has been able to achieve in the last four years.

He noted that good governance and economic development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security.

“In the last four years, we have combated the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front.

“The capacity of our armed forces to defend our territorial integrity continues to be enhanced by the acquisition of military hardware as well as continued improvements in the working conditions of our servicemen and women.”

On what his government is doing to address other issues of insecurity in the country, Buhari said:

“The Ministry of Police Affairs has been resuscitated to oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance internal security. My recent assent to the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act has created a legal framework to support our Police with increased fiscal resources to enhance their law enforcement capabilities.

Read also: INDEPENDENCE DAY: Trump hails Buhari’s govt for providing opportunities for Nigerians

“These initiatives are being complemented by the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to arrest the incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across our nation.

“We remain equally resolute in our efforts to combat militant attacks on our oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and accelerate the Ogoni Clean-up to address long-standing environmental challenges in that region.

“The recent redeployment of the Niger Delta Development Commission from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, underscores our commitment to enhance the living standards of our communities in the Niger Delta, through coordinated and appropriate programmes.

“Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.”

On the fight against corruption, he said his government has ensured “institutional reforms to enforce the Treasury Single Account policy, introduce the Whistle-blowers’ Initiative, expand the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System has saved billions of Naira over the last four years, and deterred the rampant theft and mismanagement of public funds that have plagued our public service.”

He also said that the Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will continue to address this menace.

“We are determined to ensure that transparency and good governance are institutionalized in public service.

“We must commit to installing a culture of good governance in all we do. This administration has fought against corruption, by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

“Furthermore, we partnered with our friends abroad to combat tax evasion, smuggling, terrorism and illicit financial flows. In June 2018, I assented to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, to provide a domestic legal framework for obtaining international assistance in criminal matters.

“This measure has already strengthened our law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence, investigating suspects and facilitating the recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of property implicated as proceeds of crime.

“An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case, working closely with the Government of the United States of America. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of these funds.”

He said the P&ID arbitral award underscored the manner in which significant economic damage has been caused by the past activities of a few corrupt and unpatriotic Nigerians.

READ ALSO: NIGERIA AT 59: Our country has returned to bondage under Buhari —CUPP

“The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences. Our renewed partnership with the 9th National Assembly will facilitate the swift passage of enabling laws that will institutionalize these anti-corruption efforts in our criminal justice system.

“In this connection, I call upon our states to intensify their own efforts to instil greater fiscal transparency and accountability and to ensure greater fiscal efficiency and optimum use of our very scarce resources.”

He added that “the blight of corruption is fighting back” but he was certain it is “a battle that we shall see-through and this is a war, which we shall win by the Grace of God.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now